Following the raging media issue of the week, one now has to think twice before saying to your neighbor "Merry Christmas".
This being the United States, where Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Jews and Buddhists live side by side, one can all too easily offend someone by doing so. What is actually sad is that the complaints are coming from fellow Christians. It 's the same old story.
Christmas for true believers - the holiest holiday on the Christian calendar - is in essence about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. In spite of all the tradition surrounding this wonderful festive season, it is also supposed to be a time of peace, of being with family, of taking time to reflect on the past year, of counting our blessings.
My first reaction to hearing a radio commentator explaining on air why he wishes all a "Happy Holiday" instead, was one of outrage. Why discriminate against Christians!? What about Ramadan? Or any of the Jewish holidays? Isn't this supposed to be a Christian country?!
But then isn't this senseless bickering distracting us from what's important as Christians - Jesus being the reason for the season? As a true believer I know that I'm a minority and as a Christian I realise that I live among thousands that follow a different God than I do, be it Allah, Buddah, money, themselves etc.
"Happy holidays" or "Merry Christmas" apart, aren't we all in the great gift-buying tradition? Will you boycott a store for displaying a "Happy Holiday"-sign? Don't we all decorate our homes? Don't we all go to the Christmas office parties, have reindeer/snowmen/Santa Claus in our garden or house? What does these wonderful traditions actually have to do with Christmas other than light up childrens' faces? Maybe we're missing the point. Maybe we take ourselves a little too seriously on occasion.
An illustration in point:
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert has told officials last week that the decorated tree on the West lawn of Capitol Hill, known as "The Holiday Tree", has been renamed "The Christmas Tree". Talk about a politically charged name for a ....tree! And in Boston a large Christian group - the Liberty Council - has threatened to sue the city council for naming the large decorated tree in the middle of the city, "The Holiday Tree".
My heart warms that Christians are taking a stand, but I wondering if they are not defending the wrong wall...
No, Christmas is about sharing God's love, peace and harmony and frankly, I don't care much for this debate that has respected church leaders sparring on state radio and TV with their accusors.
I've decided to try to rise above the petty arguments and celebrate Christmas like a true Christian.
May you experience the true joy and the true meaning of this festive season, and may you find rest in that knowledge.
Merry Christmas and a happy holiday!
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