I spoke to someone the other day that didn’t like a particular Christmas card. What was on the offending Christmas card? Jesus. That’s right, the card referenced Jesus… for which the holiday is named, by the way.
Maybe it’s my southern baptist upbringing, but I found it odd that someone could really enjoy celebrating Christmas without understanding that we wouldn’t have the holiday at all without Jesus. The two things are tied together in a way that I can’t imagine separating.
That said… Jesus was a nice guy, but I no longer worship at that altar. I don’t have a problem with people that believe. And since I’m somewhat of a non-believer, I don’t have a problem with non-believers either.
However, I do find it disturbing that someone could celebrate Christmas without acknowledging its origins (and yes the non-Christian origins of the Christmas tree and other customs should be noted too). The holiday is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s a fact. That’s what it is. Santa Claus is the commercial part of the holiday… and there’s nothing wrong with that, if that’s what you’re into. Just remember, that Christmas = Jesus.
Now… why should you care about all of this? If you’re a believer then go ahead and celebrate. Enjoy the holiday, it’s the reason why show up to church every Sunday. (You do show up to church every Sunday don’t you, because if you don’t then you’re a piss poor believer.)
If you’re not a believer, like me, then you should really be asking yourself, Why the fuck am I celebrating something that I don’t believe. If your answer goes something like… “I enjoy having this time to visit my family and friends and to show them how much I appreciate them with good wishes (and gifts).” Well then you’re not celebrating Christmas. You’re celebrating your family and friends. You’re celebrating the bond you have between you and another human being. And you’re most assuredly not celebrating Christmas. Not that true believers don’t also celebrate those things during Christmas, but if you’re not a believer, then the Christmas label simply doesn’t apply to you. Call it something else, but don’t call it Christmas.
Furthermore, don’t be offended when people reference Jesus when talking about Christmas. What the fuck do you care about it. It’s his holiday, not yours.
One other thing… If you wish me a Merry Christmas, I’ll wish you one back. There is no war on Christmas here. I’m not offended by the words or the customs. In fact, I find joy in people celebrating their beliefs whether those beliefs include Christmas or Saturnalia. Just wanted to make that clear. 😉
OK, now that I have that out of my system… What should we call this family and friends get-together that we have at the end of the year? Winter Solstice, Festivus, Chriswanzukah, Giftmas, HumanLight? I’m open to suggestions. Throw them at me.
With love and respect…
–sam
I hate Christmas and want it to burn.
OK then. What you name the holiday that you celebrate?
–sam
p.s. Notice that I’m taking the high road. 😉
Erm….
I don’t celebrate holidays? I wallow in them!
here, here!
or would that be- hear, hear!
in any case- i agree:)
Haunachristmakwanzule.
That was me!
All my pagan friends have always just refered to it as Solstice. Personally, I don’t care what you call it, for me it’s a time for family and friends to get together, eat good food and exchange gift. If you want to add the J man in there, feel free, but the religious aspect just isn’t there for me.
People keep way too caught up in the semantics of things, heh.
*keep getting
This is what happens when I don’t double check the crap that I type before I post. XD
I personally like….Chrisonsumamaspoopoola
Katy?
What?
Yes it was me!! How’d u know? 🙂
I know you well. 😛
You never called me back. 😛
I was just wondering if that anonymous comment was you.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve seen several posts lately by what I can only term as “angry non-Christians” concerning the whole holiday season. And it’s been rather annoying.
Whether or not you think that Christopher Columbus brought an age of exploitation and genocide to the “New World” or not, if you get the day off, you’re still going to enjoy “Columbus Day”. You don’t have to believe in Catholic iconic saints to wish someone a “Happy Valentines Day”.
I agree with you 110%. I’m a Christian, and I’ll be the first to rant about how Jesus wasn’t born in December. But that’s not the point. The “Holiday Season” is pretty much a hybrid time of year where everyone chooses to aspire to the best of humanity, and I don’t see how that’s wrong. And if someone wishes me a Blessed Yule, or a Happy Hanukkah, or a Krazy Kwaanza (what exactly is the accepted term for that?), or any other name they can come up with… you know what? I’m going to answer with a smile and a “You too!”
off topic question.
Sam,
I just got the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter to go with the IPOD nano for Omar. On all of the information online it said that it was compatible with the iPod nano. I just received it in the mail and on the actual product info it only says that it is compatible with iPod and iPod Mini?
Do you know if it is compatable with the iPod Nano?
And do I need a dock connector for it to work with the Nano?
Help! ;-P
Re: off topic question.
There are two different Kensington models. Which one did you get?
–sam