Making Sense of Christmas

[dgs49]

There are a lot of potentially uncomfortable issues surrounding the holiday we refer to as "Christmas." For example:

Nobody knows when the historical JC was born - not even the year, to be truthful - so the pretense that his "birthday" is December 25, and he was born 2011 years ago, is unfounded and unsupportable.

The date was chosen to co-opt a pagan holiday, so its origins can be said to be other-than-Christian. We like to ignore that fact, but it is a fact.

The gift-giving tradition simply doesn't mesh with Christian tradition. If there is to be a Christian feast of gift-giving, it should be on the Feast of the Three Kings (the Epiphany, to some), and not on Christmas. I think the Orthodox Christians have this one right.

Celebrating lit and decorated "Christmas" trees also comes down from a number pagan traditions, and have nothing to do with the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Santa Clause...what can you say? He may or may not have existed, and his legend may or may not have anything to do with Christmas or the Winter solstice, or anything else. Today, he is merely a device to deter little kids from pestering their parents with requests for gifts, on the pretense that the actual gifts will be determined by a wise third party. It also provides "cover" to the parents if the kids don't get exactly what they want. (I was told a couple times that Santa had a bad year).

And how come government workers get the day off? It's CHRISTmas, for God's sake. How can you say it's not a religious holiday? Even if you don't buy into the fictitious "wall of separation between Church and State" (which I don't), why should I pay taxes to compensate government workers for a day off to celebrate a religious holiday? Clearly that comes under "establishment" of religion.

But still, it is entirely appropriate for Christians to celebrate the fact of the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate that sacred mystery by a celebration of His birth.

And it is entirely appropriate to have a Winter holiday when we celebrate the season, focusing on the beautiful aspects of Winter, hearth, and home, and there's nothing wrong with making the exchange of gifts a part of that celebration.

So as far as I'm concerned, we are in the perverse position of having TWO SEPARATE holidays, both having the same name, on the same day. And it's a good idea to celebrate both of them, each according to its own traditions, and not worry about the fact that some of the traditions may not be entirely compatible with one another (i.e., pagan vs. Christian). And this view makes peace with the fact that people who are not Christians are still entitled to celebrate this very American holiday, with gusto.

Merry fucking Christmas. And don't give me any of that "Happy Holiday" shit.

[dales]

Back At Ya, Dgs

[quaddriver]

Erect the silver pole and be done with it

[The Hen]

I LOVE my pagan holidays, and a rose by any other name etc.

Merry Christmas to all.

[Jarlaxle]

The helliday season is here.

About the closest I get to "Christmas spirit" will be hanging some mistletoe on the back of my belt.