Hmmmmm

Turns out this daily posting thing is going to require some thought. Bummer.

Since we're smack dab in the middle of the Christmas holiday, I've been pondering how I feel about this particular topic. I've been listening to KSBJ, the Christian radio station, because they're playing Christmas music non-stop. (This is done in hopes that someone will tune in and keep listening after the new year.)

They of course mention time and time again that "Jesus is the reason for the season" and "Keep Christ in Christmas." I hear people comment about the new trend in saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" in an attempt to remove Christ from Christmas.

On the other hand, I know of Christians who refuse to acknowledge any "Christian" aspect of Christmas because Christmas is not in the Bible and most traditions are actually derived from pagan holidays. If I understand their argument correctly, as long as you're not talking about the birth of Christ and mangers and whatnot, it's ok to celebrate Christmas. Put up a tree, go see Santa, just ix-nay on the aby-k.

I guess as with most issues, I kinda fall in the middle on this one. We're not commanded to celebrate Christmas. We don't know what day Jesus was born on. Christmas isn't in the Bible, so I don't feel I should be judged if I want to only celebrate it as a secular holiday. Is it so bad if I don't have a nativity scene in my front yard and I only listen to songs about snowmen and Santa Claus? Can I not say Happy Holidays to a Jewish co-worker who celebrates the season differently from me?

At the same time, I see nothing wrong with celebrating Christ's birth as long as you don't view it as something that's a requirement of the Christian faith. I feel quite confident you could shun Christmas entirely and still be a faithful servant. I do believe that Christmas is way too commercial and should be centered around giving and goodwill towards men, which are very much Christian ideals, but I guess I just don't feel the need to get bent out of shape when baby Jesus gets taken out of the spotlight. For the record, I feel the same way about Easter. No command, derived from pagan traditions, but still fun to go buy a new dress, take a few pics with The Bunny and hunt for eggs. I don't feel it has to be anything more. If you want to use it as a time for reflection, then by all means, do. We can all use a little introspection now and again.

And while I'm thinking about it, I love Halloween. There, I said it. I'm a Christian and I love Halloween. I don't need to call it a "Fall Festival" or a "Harvest Celebration". It's Halloween, it comes from pagan traditions and it's fun! (For the record, I don't worship Satan on Halloween. Nor do I sacrifice babies. I just had to interject that.) The only difference between it and Christmas and Easter is that Christians didn't take it over and make it a Christian holiday too.

I might be convinced to give up Halloween if someone created another day of the year, I don't care when, and let me dress up, dress up my kids, maybe my dogs, and eat candy and caramel apples. Let my kids wear their costume to school because by golly it's just fun to dress up! Just tell me the day and I'll switch.

Happy Holidays everyone!

:)