Is Christmas a Christian holiday? Not here in the U.S. - unless you're Christian, that is. For the rest of us it's about parties, gathering with family and friends, exchanging gifts and feasting. We Americans are all about feasting whenever possible.
Christian historians believe Jesus was actually born in late April (how do they figure these things out?) though moving the celebration of his birth to winter solstice is definitely poetic, and convenient, too, since Easter falls right around Jesus's historical birthday. The logistics of celebrating both of those big Christian holidays at the same time could get hairy, you know? Imagine a late season Easter followed immediately by an authentic Christmas. It could be confusing, putting the cart before the horse, as it were.
And Christmas trees? Hmmm ... how many snow covered evergreens will you find in the middle east? My guess is: not many, which always leads me to a contemplation of what it means to dream of a white Christmas. Surely that is a northern European invention as well.
And as for Santa, aka Father Christmas, who lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Santa and a bunch of industrious elves? Well. What does that have to do with Jesus? Not much, eh? If you haven't already checked out Sketchy Santas, by all means, do. Wow. Very scary!! Almost as scary as clowns.
I love the melange of traditions and festivities that we call Christmas. Happiest Eve and Day to you all!!
21 comments:
Love the garden set up for guests!
Everybody seems to have a winter solstice holiday, whatever they call it and whatever the exact date. Birth of the savior - rebirth of the planet - it all comes together.
As a definite non-Christian, though, even I would like a little more 'Christmas spirit' (giving, family, peace...) in the season these days. Away with the mobs at the mall and the gimme gimme gimme!
Have a lovely holiday, Reya!
OK, those were some pretty creepy Santas.
Happy Yule to all.
Happy Holidays, Reya! I hope you're feeling better!
I love it when people cover all the bases in their outside Christmas decorating scheme. Nativity scenes combined with Santa and his reindeer, nutcrackers, all on the same lawn.
A very fun post--love that first sentence (very true!) Happy Holidays to you!
Oh yes--those Santas are a hoot--but very sketchy!
A happy and festive holiday season to you, Reya. I hope you are making great little moments for yourself this week and that you are feeling better.
Merry Merry Christmas - you are blessed
It was a political move to shift that one guys birthday to the pagan holiday, it stuck. We don't give much credance to that whole contrivance but the holidays are a great excuse to have fun in the middle of the coldest , darkest time of the year. Gift giving has become more from the kitchen and the studio than from shops- it's all good- Wishing you a warm, happy, festive time and good health! LOVE
I had a funny experience a few years ago when I volunteered to coordinate a luncheon for all the teachers in my son's school (preschool through high school). I scheduled it for December and called for food contributions. Easy enough. Then I sent out an email saying I would be decorating the school's chapel where the luncheon was to be held with Santa Claus figures from my collection and asking anyone who wanted to bring their own Santas to feel free. I got an email back from the school administration, saying I should check with the school's chaplain before decorating with Santas because some parents might be offended by the use of this religious symbol. Religious symbol? The worship of the almighty dollar, perhaps, but no other religion I'm aware of. Political correctness gone amok.
dear Reya,
feel better soon dear and merry merry christmas to you!
lots of love,
lori
All the best, Reya! Hope you are feeling better.
I popped into yesterday's post to see how you were doing, and I found "I claim victory even as I blow my nose. Yay!!" which is very good news. Keep up the good work, Reya, and have a very Happy Christmas.
Dr. M says that shepherds didn't watch their flocks by night in December - only when they were lambing, which would have been spring. So if we believe that there were shepherds, then we believe that Jesus was born around April. But I'm with you - that would have been VERY confusing!
Merry Christmas!
Sponge Bob Square Snowman? HA! Love the uniqueness. Happiest of Eves to you too, dear Reya.
Yes, for most of us in the US, they holidays are about food, fun and parties. But I do honor Jesus as a great master and teacher.
Blessings.
Just catching up on yesterday's post! You are a mighty warrioress! I can feel those bugs sensing their demise. I'll send along some bug zapping energy!
All warrioresses can use an army.
hey reya - wish i may, wish i might sit on one of those chairs (minus the snow and soggy cushions) across from you tonight and shoot the breeze over cookies! it's such a long bike ride and my good bike is in the shop - well i'll wish you an awesome evening into the morrow. steven
those chairs look cold and wet - another angle on being chilled! yes i love themelange of traditions that bring us christmas - and that it is open to all to spread the love and joy. have a special day Reya and hope you are feeling better. love v
It really is a strange holiday -- a melange, as you said. I guess most of our major holidays are melanges now, mixtures of all sorts of traditions. Easter certainly is too.
Merry Christmas, Reya! :)
i really wish the Pope would shift Christmas to another date and leave 12-25 to Santa and the elves...but then i have always been a little radical.
btw, i think i caught your cold...achoo
have a great Christmas!
I think it would be cool to move the religious part of Christmas to April. I think that many of the people who suffer from holiday guilt and depression would have less of it if they weren't trying to celebrate Winter at the same time. It can get a bit overwhelming. I'm glad you're in the mood for it this year!
that snowman looks suspiciously like a s'more...I must need more cookies!
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