I got a chuckle from the reports on the Christmas tree kafuffle at Seattle airport. The chuckle arose from annoyance at all the e-mails and newspaper letters from people demanding we keep Christ in Christmas and suggesting I (we) are un-Canadian of un-Spiritual if we do not support their exclusionary demands.
OK, I admit to a little smugness over these self-labelled Christians being reminded that this season “belongs” in part to an earlier faith in Judaism. Lest others feel the need to stake their religions claim to this season, I concede that this Season traces it roots back to early pagan Winter Solstice celebrations. In fact the timing of Christmas is a result of the early christian church feeling the need to have a celebration at year’s end/turning to allow them to compete against the pagan faiths for followers.
The “it is OUR season” ranting has reached a level of annoyance such that I cannot help being amused at anything that serves to hoist these self-labelled Christians on their own petard by establishing earlier claims to the season for other Faiths and belief systems. I have grown tired of this holier than thou, this is OUR celebration, exclude those who do not believe exactly what we do attitude of these self-labelled Christians.
The point of my rant, ahem – scolding, and the reason I refer to these people as self-labelled Christians is that their behaviour shows a total lack of understanding of what the season is truly about. The fact is that the Seattle Rabbi who set the kafuffle off shows more understanding of the Season in urging the return of the trees – without his demand being fulfilled.
The Christ who comes at Christmas is about and for others, bringing a spirit of renewal and love. This season is about forgiveness; new beginnings; love for our fellow man; about the lesson of the Good Samaritan; treating others as we would want to be treated; about sacrifice for others; above alleles it is Inclusive.
Christmas is about OTHERS! It is not about or belonging to ME, as the “it belongs to us Christians” as the attitudes of these mistaken, self-labelled Christians suggests. Actions have consequences. In their self-centered beliefs and actions these theologues miss the raison d’être of the Season.
In behaving this way they, like Lewis Carroll’s Marley and Scrooge, “labour upon the chains they forge and of their own free will gird about themselves”. For in truth their Spirits do not go forth among their fellow man but are locked within the confines of their personal religious beliefs and their money-changing (hands) temples. To them Marley’s lament “Mankind was my business!” is nothing but a line from an old story.
Christ was and is about caring for others, sacrificing so that mankind could lead Full, Happy, Loving and Free lives. Mankind was Christ’s business.
Take a moment to reflect and meditate upon yourself and the season. Should you find that you have forgot about your fellow man, forgetting the design behind the season, you may want to take a look for the chains you have forged and meditate upon what Christ would have you do to break your chains and set your Spirit free to walk among your fellow man.
May the love and Spirit of the season fill your Soul, spill over and call blessings upon yourself, family, friends and your fellow man throughout the New Year.