Santa on the Housetop
It’s December, and we’re seeing the usual hot-headed debate over the meaning of Christmas in America today. One rabbi threatened to sue over Christmas trees in the Sea-Tac airport. Meanwhile, at least one Jewish woman doesn’t have a problem participating in Christmas. (See article.) She’s got a Santa on her rooftop. Does Santa offend you? Does Christmas? How do you celebrate (or not!)?
December 19th, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Christmas, properly, is properly for the “birth” of Jesus of Nazereth. However, the circumstances surrounding Christmas actually have nothing to do with the Christ. The gift giving and such does, indeed, come from pre-Christian Europe.
There are two ways to deal with this:
1. Avoid Christmas altogether. Make Christmas specifically for Christian churches, or change “Christmas” to “Yule.” Yule, at least, can be expressed non-religiously and still hold the same feelings.
2. Understand that Christmas has changed and is no longer Christian-Christ exclusive. It has broadened into a time of merriment (outside of the stress of gifts, etc), revelry, joy, etc.
Unfortunately, people don’t seem to wish to have either one. Some wish to make it exclusively Christian (”It is CHRIST-mas!”) while others revert to rejecting it completely.
I don’t believe there is a “War on Christmas,” because of number 2 above. I don’t mind “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” or even “Merry/Happy Yule.”
December 19th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
I love some of the holiday “madness.” I know it leads to long lines in the grocery stores and causes some people to spend too much money, but I think that the traditions of big family meals, delivering cookies and goodies to neighbors, “secret Santa” schemes, and writing Christmas cards are some of the best traditions about Christianity. It gives us lots of excuses to connect with our extended families and friends that we may not see (or even think about) every day.
I do think that we should limit the amount of money we spend on gifts. Gifts are meant to be symbolic, and we shoudn’t feel competition to spend more on our kids than our neighbors do.
We don’t spend any more than $25 on any Christmas gift for immediate family and $10 for extended family. That makes everyone in our family more comfortable because they’re giving more thoughtfulness than money. We also give our kids some money to donate to a cause of their choosing each year. They have to do the research, and it’s a good experience for them.
December 25th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
So many Jews are in interfaith situations; either interfaithly married or have no Jewish friends, only Christian friends. I think the way non-Jews deal with Christmas is personal, and I trust them to do what’s best for themselves.
Yes, Christmas is commercial and so much of it has nothing to do with Jesus: the tree, the over-spending, the decorations, etc. That said, would there be Christmas had there been no Jesus? I think not. Therefore, as a non-Christian, I think of Christmas as someone else’s birthday party. Sure, you can go to someone’s birthday party if you’re invited. Of course! But just remember; it’s their birthday party, not yours. That’s how I keep my perspective on it.
I do disagree with the rabbi who complained about the Christmas trees at the airport. In fact, I was embarrassed by him (I assume it was a ‘him’). I might have been more sympathetic had he suggested a menorah be added to the display rather than the trees be removed. To ask or demand the trees be removed is over-the-top and only adds grist to the antisemitic mill. I hope such never happens again.
December 28th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
From my understanding, that is all he wanted to add (a menorah). The airport ended up taking the trees down for whatever reason.
We would definately be celebrating some sort of festivel around this season, even if Christianity hadn’t taken hold. There wouldn’t be Christmas, yes, but I am sure there would be something. There were numerous festivals around (Yule, Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, etc.). Just don’t ask me which one it would be.
December 31st, 2006 at 1:12 am
Of course Jews would be celebrating some sort of festival around this season; we have Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. But why would non-Jews celebrate Hanukkah? It’s not of their tradition.
Edward, apparently I’m missing your point.
December 31st, 2006 at 4:14 am
I have been following that situtation at the SeaTac airport. Rabbi Bogimilsky did not ask that the trees be taken down but that a menorah be put up in addition to the trees. Apparently the airport officials told him they would consider it and when they neglected to give him a response it seems he had a lawyer contact them. They then took down the christmas trees and told the lawyer and reporters that they felt if they allowed a menorah they would then be asked to display countless other symbols of area religions and they didnot have time to “play anthropologists”, so they removed the tres. The Rabbi was upset as he was worriedthat the publicwould assume he was offended by the trees when he saw the trees hewantedto add a religious symbol of his own,he caims he was never offended by the trees but assumed if ther was onereligioussymbol being represented any other would be apprpriate as well.