I have an opinion about the holidays in general, but let's focus on Christmas as an example. I have felt this way a long time - back when I was a pious teenager, through my "whatever" years, through my first marriage and the single years that followed. Now, in the second year of my second marriage, I am telling you a secret. You're probably doing Christmas wrong. Go watch the Grinch again.
1. If you are Christian:
If you are Christian, this is a day - a season - of celebration. It's Jesus' birthday.The theory is that we give each other presents because Jesus says that what we do for other we do for him. But ... We aren't doing things are we? No - we are buying stuff. Do you think Jesus meant "Whatever ye purchase because it is on sale, ye purchase for me?" No. He said (if you believe the Book) that we should DO for others. We should invite them into our homes, feed them, clothe them, protect them.
1. If you are Christian:
If you are Christian, this is a day - a season - of celebration. It's Jesus' birthday.The theory is that we give each other presents because Jesus says that what we do for other we do for him. But ... We aren't doing things are we? No - we are buying stuff. Do you think Jesus meant "Whatever ye purchase because it is on sale, ye purchase for me?" No. He said (if you believe the Book) that we should DO for others. We should invite them into our homes, feed them, clothe them, protect them.
He said we should be kind, be filled with love for our neighbors (meaning everyone not just weird guy that lives next door), and turn the other cheek when someone wrongs you. There are many wonderful sentiments in the New Testament about this. So what's with all the gifts? The dozens of packages under the tree? Half of them stuff you would buy anyway (like socks) and half of them stuff you don't need (like sparkly rocks). (BTW - Toys fall into both categories, depending on how stupidly expensive they are when you're kid would be happy with a empty box and a paper towel tube.)
Give your loved ones a hug for Christmas. give them things like forgiveness and time. Or give them peace. If they need it, given them a helping hand with some yard work. If you get together every Christmas and end up fighting, you may have missed the point of the whole thing.
The Christian Christmas is not about Jesus doing anything. It's about God giving the world a path to heaven. The best way to celebrate that is to take him up on the offer. Be good to each other, believe in something greater than yourself, and above all, LOVE one another.
OK. Let me pause here for a few sub-points.
- Jesus, assuming the guy was real (which I do assume), was not born in the winter. He was born during tax season (see Bible about why the inns were all full), which is during the spring, after the fields are planted. People had to trek to pay their taxes, so it couldn't be in the winter when it was inclimate for travel, or in the harvest seasons when they had to be tending their crops.
- Christianity already had a holiday in the spring (Easter), so they decided to make the other big holiday in the winter. They picked a day that falls near a pagan holiday that will work to indoctrinate the heathens into the Christian calendar of festivities so they end up seeming to be Christian even though their not.
Then what are you doing? What's with all the presents? Are stacks of presents in any religion? If you are wanting to give someone something, what's wrong with giving it on any random day? Give people things all year. Or don't give them anything. But for earth's sake, get out of the stores this time of year. Go home to your people or go find some people you like or go visit some depressed people who could use your company.
Stop being offended by people saying "Merry Christmas". I am not offended when people say "Happy Hanukkah" even though I am not Jewish. It's just a festive way to say Have a nice day. Get over yourself. Say "Happy Yule" back. Or Happy Thursday, or Happy New Year, or "Nice sweater".
I could rant for a while longer here, but I have to go spend time with people I'm supposed to enjoy the company of around a holiday I don't believe in. Because if I don't, people will be offended and the world will end.
Until next time, Happy Belated Solstice. May the lengthening days bring you many warm moments with people who know who you really are and still love you.
PS. Baby Jesus would not have built a wall. He would have built a path.
