“Christmas” is Not a Bad Word

OK, this is a first for me. A post that delves into…are you ready?…a controversial topic. Which is precisely why I am writing this. You see, ’tis the season to be merry, hairy, gay and bright. OK, maybe not hairy – but it IS winter. But I digress.  I think we add too much controversy where there is no need. Before I go on, if you want to keep it light and fluffy..please scroll down directly to my wish for you, and thank you for stopping by!

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Rumi

Firstly, a disclaimer.  I work daily at loving and respecting all people and all religions.  You could say I’m a heathen, as I do not subscribe to any one religion. :} But I feel happily open-hearted to the beautiful tenets, teachings, practices and traditions of many. As my mother immigrated to the states from Germany, we practiced many beloved Christmas traditions this time of year, including feasting on goose and defrocking the tree of the decadent chocolate ornaments she imported from Europe. Oh yes, she tried to teach us about family and love and sharing, too :).  I am ignorant of much and yet I keep learning. Please excuse any clumsy offense incurred by my ramblings. I intend none at all.

Christmas is not a Bad Word

So here it is.  I am tired of people tiptoeing around certain specific holiday words; you know, words like Christmas,  Hanukkah, Ramadan, Diwali, and Kwanzaa. Oh my! I just said them. And all together! Before you leave in disgust, let me ‘splain. I speak of the well-meaning efforts of people who have created such a homogenized holiday season that we refer to the gloriously decorated pine trees in the center of town as a “holiday tree”. Esquueeeze me?! Is Christmas a bad word of a sudden?  It’s a Christmas tree. Flocked or not, you cannot change it’s meaning and tradition.  Whether you’re a practicing Christian or not, it’s a Christmas tree! Say it with me…Christ.mas.tree. See? That wasn’t too painful.  Just like that candle-holder thingy? It’s a menorah. Useful in celebrating the eight days of Hanukkah. It’s not a “holiday candelabra”.

Festive Hanukkah decorations at Fairen Del, Carlsbad

I have actually had to argue this position when I sat on a board of village business owners who, in the interest of political correctness, were considering referring to the 3-story high spruce bedecked with lights, bows and other assorted parafernalia, as a “holiday tree”. I put my foot down.  I’m sorry. I cannot abide the tiptoeing that, in my eyes, in and of itself diminishes the importance of certain symbolic traditional icons.  It’s well-meaningness gone very wrong.  Since I moved away I suspect that conifer became known as a “holiday tree”.

Season’s Tweetings!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for holiday parades and holiday thises and thats.  I say “Happy Holidays” as a generic blessing to people around this time of year. And “Season’s Tweetings” to my Twitter luuverlies.  But if I know what holiday they observe, I try to be specific. I’m curious: If someone says, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” to you, and you don’t observe either holiday, do you cringe? Or is it just like me saying, “happy Thursday!” to you? I’m actually curious how you view this and how you finesse through it. I hope it’s a given that anyone wishing you ANYthing happy is a nice thing, yes?

I cannot recall the comic/social critic who nailed it (I think maybe George Carlin) but he said something about how “there are people who go through their lives with a clipboard in hand, waiting to be offended.” Let’s put our clipboards down 🙂

Let’s celebrate the practice of celebrating. Let’s practice the tenets of these respected religions and extend love, tolerance, and appreciation to all mankind. Oh heck, womankind too! 😉

Thank you for tolerating me and my silly, under-informed ramblings.  I welcome your thoughts on this subject and I ask only that you are gentle with me, as I am merely “a spiritual being having a human experience.” (Teilhard de Chardin)

Had to share this: Fabulous Reindeer Guys in Idyllwild

* ★   ⋰˚★  ✡•.¸¸ ✴   ⋰˚☆ My Wish for You * ☆   ⋰˚★  ✡ •.¸¸✴   ⋰˚★

I wish you all a joyous time with your families, friends and loved ones. ..I wish you also quiet time to soak in what this season and its festivities mean to you…or even what they don’t mean. I wish you an abundant heart, overflowing with love for others, and most importantly, for yourself.  I wish you these things not only now but throughout the year, every year. But most of all, I wish you…Peace. Namaste.

P.S. I considered not posting this for fear of offending; then I realized I was tiptoeing. I welcome a dialogue about your thoughts.

Photos by G. Stark