One of the things that I greatly enjoy about the lead-up to Christmas is the discussions that inevitably take place on the meaning and place of the Holiday. The newspapers, blogs, and television always seem to have stories on the proper place of religion (and Christmas in particular) in a pluralist, secular democratic society. Editorials and Op-Eds will explore the historicity of Christmas (the virgin birth, the star, angels, etc.), the commercialization of the holiday, and the "true meaning of Christmas". Devout atheists will dogmatically decry the ubiquity of religion this time of year. Staunch conservative evangelicals will lament and rail against the increasing loss of the "reason for the season" as well as their freedom to wish their neighbour a "Merry Christmas" without fear of social judgment.
Sure, there are the same old objections being raised my nominally informed individuals eager to educate the seemingly ignorant masses: Jesus wasn't born in December; many aspects of what we know of as Christmas have been appropriated from pagan celebrations, etc. I have a little smile on the inside when I hear these objections being raises as if they were any sort of threat to the Christian celebration.
I enjoy that at this time of year people feel a little bit more able and free to discuss those topics which are grossly neglected for the other eleven months of the year. I enjoy that people of all creeds and cultures are able to consider what it means to be filled with peace, hope, and love. I enjoy that people feel it a socially acceptable thing to help out their neighbours this time of year, to give a stranger a friendly greeting, to carry a generous spirit. Sure, there are malls packed with frantic shoppers, there are angry, frustrated drivers, and grumbling Scrooges... I guess it's a package deal. I'll take it though.
Oh yes, and there is Peanuts:
Gloria Deo
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