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What Happened to Christmas?
by Matthew Arnold Stern
When did we stop celebrating Christmas as a country? I'm not talking about
Christmas as a marketing tool, where you wake up at four in the morning after
Thanksgiving to line up at department stores for the best deals (well, like I
did). I'm talking about Mary, Joseph, and the baby; the three wise men, the
shepherds, and the star. You
know, Christmas.
I'm Jewish, and as a kid, we celebrated Christmas. Although we lit a menorah
instead of putting up a tree, we still celebrated Christmas. We went to
Christmas parties. We had Christmas vacation. We gave Christmas gifts. In the
chorus at my public school, I sang Christmas carols. I sang "O Come All
Ye Faithful" in both Latin and English. I sang about
"Born is the King of Israel," and "He shall reign forever and ever," and "Gloria
in excelsis Deo." I even sang at a service at my music teacher's Mormon temple
(where I took the communion by mistake. I thought it was a snack!) Did I complain? No!
It's Christmas!
Not any more. My kids don't sing Christmas songs at school. Maybe
something about Santa Claus giving them toys without an explanation of why. I
don't have Christmas parties at work. We have holiday parties and perhaps
a few days off as a holiday break. We send holiday cards and exchange holiday
presents that we bought at holiday sales where clerks wish us "Happy
holidays."
Not only has Christmas been removed from the language, we're even told it is
something to be ashamed of. When I was shopping at a discount store, the clerk
at the register told a customer, "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but Merry
Christmas."
All of this political correctness is supposed to keep non-Christians like me
from being offended. Well, I am offended! If anything, the de-Christianizing of
Christmas in this country has actually led to more embarrassing and uncomfortable situations for
our family.
My son once made a picture frame as a holiday craft at school. The kids could make a green and red one (for Christmas, but don't tell them
that) or a blue and silver one (for Hanukkah, but don't them that either). My
son wanted to make a green and red one like everyone else. But the teacher
insisted, "Oh, no, no. You must make a blue and silver one! You're not supposed
to make a green and red one. It must be a blue and silver one because, well,
it's the one kids like you are supposed to make."
Later, at a holiday boutique where kids can buy small trinkets for
their family and friends, he was again led away from the Christmas-themed gifts
(how those slipped in, I'll never know) to the Hanukkah-themed gifts. Again, he
was given the "Oh, no, no. You must buy Hanukkah gifts. You're not supposed to
buy Christmas gifts. I don't care if you have Christian friends. We don't want
to offend you by letting you buy Christmas gifts."
When I was a kid, I never felt uncomfortable or awkward when I sang Christmas
carols or made pictures of Santa Claus. I understood that this was just a part
of being an American in December, just as much as watching fireworks was a part
of being an American in July. Celebrating Christmas for me has nothing to do
with theology or religious identity. It has to do with having a good time and
celebrating with my neighbors, coworkers, and friends. I can still be a Jew and celebrate
Hanukkah, and at the same time, I'm not being singled out because I am not a Christian.
Enough with this political correctness that only causes offense and
discomfort instead of alleviating it. Bring back Christmas! Bring back Christmas
carols and nativity scenes! I want sales clerks to wish me a Merry Christmas
without them trying to guess what faith I belong to. I want the joy brought back to this time of year, a joy that
only comes when we can embrace others without worrying about offending them. How
can I be offended if Christians welcome me to celebrate their happiest holiday
with them?
So, have a Merry Christmas. Links
Save Merry Christmas
A Muslim View on Christmas (from Muslim WakeUp!) |
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