It seems that every year about this time the old battle starts up about what to call Christmas. Is it Christmas or is it the holiday's? "Since it's a Christian holiday, why should we take Christ out of the equation?" versus "If I'm not a Christian, why should I have the whole Jesus thing forced on me everywhere I go?"
Can't we just all be right? I mean really, on one hand it is a Christian holiday, the celebration of the birth of Jesus. On the other hand, Christians are just as responsible as everybody else for how Christmas has morphed from worshipping the birth of Jesus to the commercial retail frenzy it has become.
I think we should all be allowed to celebrate Christmas for what ever Christmas means to us. Whether that means time off from school, a few days off from work, an excuse to buy gifts for others, or the whole Jesus thing, we all need to give each other enough space to do as we wish with it. Yes, Christmas Carole's flood the air waves and they are mostly about the birth of Jesus, but so what, it's a part of our tradition. And so what if somebody wants to put a manger in their front yard or even in a public place. If it offends you, then don't look at it! If you don't like songs about Jesus, then quit listening!
On the other hand, Christians need to be just as tolerant towards other's when they express their personal beliefs, as long as nobody is trying to force anything on anybody. You don't like gay marriage? Then don't marry a gay person! You don't like people smoking marijuana? Then don't smoke marijuana! You don't like the idea of euthanasia? Then don't ever allow it to be done to you! You don't like prostitution? Then don't go to a prostitute!
And since I am not a Christian, I do not celebrate the birth of Jesus. That being said, I grew up as a Christian, and personally, I like Christmas. I like the mangers, the music, and all the trimmings that go along with traditional Christmas. I appreciate that people are celebrating the birth of a man/saviour who represents peace and love. I guess you could say that I celebrate but don't worship. I know that I have enough conviction in my own beliefs that I can enjoy the Christian message at Christmas time without getting caught up in it.
This is how it should all work. I don't like guns, so I don't own a gun. I don't think meat is healthy, so I don't eat meat. I do not subscribe to religion, so I don't go to church. I don't like gambling casino's, so I don't go to them. I don't like bars, so I don't go to bars. You do what you got to do and allow me to do what I got to do. Is that all so complicated?
About Me: I am a baby boomer and a true product of the sixties. Although a lot of great ideals came out of that era, my generation made a lot of mistakes as well. I have tried to take the best of those ideals, as well as the lessons learned from my life experiences along the way, and hone them into a philosophy that gives me direction and purpose. This philosophy of mine is a witless blend of one part liberal, two parts practical, and three parts spiritual, mixed with just enough dry humor....to make you want to puke. This wouldn't be such a terrible thing if it weren't for the fact that I like to write. But I do. I hope you enjoy.
Who says Jesus was born on December 25th? Not any of the writers of the four gospels that we find His life, ministry and death. Maybe it was conjured - up by one of the early church fathers. Or perhaps cause the “pagans” celebrated the winter solstice and the church of Rome felt it needed something to keep the ‘flock’ from straying? Why does celebrating Jesus’ birthday seem to bring out the stereotyping and condescending accusations? Why do so many church-going people ‘celebrate His birthday’ one day a year, then forget Him the rest of the year?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Joseph and Mary had to go there to be “registered” by a decree of Caesar Augustus, setting a date of birth would be speculative. Jesus never said, nor is it even requested by scripture to ‘celebrate’ His birthday, or to give gifts on the winter solstice, I believe that was made up by some department store CEO. Like you said Joe; “I think we should all be allowed to celebrate Christmas for what ever Christmas means to us”… and not according to st. Macy’s, st. Walmart, st. Target, st. K-mart or by an ACLU lawsuit. ~mike