There is a paragraph making its rounds on Facebook walls lately, putting the lie to the right-wing panic over a supposed "war on Christmas." I don't know who wrote it, but I think I would like whoever it is. It goes like this:
"To those who know me:
I have friends from all walks of life. Muslim, Christian, Pagan, Native American, Jewish, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, Taoist, and so on and so on. I don't care what religion you are. If you wish me a Merry Christmas, I will wish you one right back, heartfelt and true. If you wish me a Blessed Yule, I will say it right back and mean it. I refuse to get upset over HOW you wish me a happy season. The fact that you took the time to wish me joy is all that matters to me. Love and joy and laughter and companionship and friendship is what's important. Love one another as you would love yourself. Do as you will, but harm none."
You see, it isn't the words, but the message. So often it seems that the true message and meaning behind words are lost and ignored simply because of the words themselves being unfamiliar, or even disliked. Quite frankly, there has been a widespread and very non-compassionate response to the phrase Happy Holidays. Even when it is grammatically correct, because the person is using it to indicate Thanksgiving and New Years Eve as well. Even when it is culturally sensitive, and is being used so as not to make non-Christians feel left out of what is supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year."
Despite not being recognized as our nation's "official" religion, Christianity has dominated American thought and practice for quite some time. Just like many in the past denied Native American or German blood due to concerns of hatred or discrimination, many also hid (and still hide) their religion due to similar concerns. Despite discrimination due to religious beliefs being illegal, there are still businesses that ask what church you go to on their job applications.
The real problem isn't that there is a war on Christmas. If anything, there is a war on every other non-Christian holiday that occurs at this time of year. Yet Christianity has held such a strong role in our society for so very long that any attempt at cultural sensitivity is seen as an attack on that Christian base, that dominating structure, rather than as an attempt to simply recognize the plurality of religion.
Yet Santa is not a Christianity-specific figure. Christmas trees have nothing to do with the story of the birth of Jesus. The rampant commercialism of the season certainly would not have appealed to Christ. Whether or not you believe Jesus was actually born in December, or whether the Church simply assigned that date to coincide with other non-Christian holidays as a method of conversion, most of the trappings which come with an American Christmas are decidedly non-Christian. Christmas, as a part of American culture, is beyond Christianity.
If Love is the reason for the season, then why does it matter what words are used so long as the message is the same? It isn't being distorted. There isn't a different message being hidden by the words. Someone, possibly someone you may never see again and do not know, decided to take a moment out of their day to share a sentiment of joy.
Ignore the second word of the statement, if it helps. Someone wished you a Happy. Or maybe a Merry, a Blessed, or even just a Good. The sentiment is positive. What you take away from the exchange is up to you.
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