Merry Christmas

Posted by: Andee / Category: ,


Well, this is the first year the holidays have rolled around and I have been up in the air about what I believe in. I certainly don't take the Bible literally, in all actuality, I have a hard time believing the Bible is holy at all...

This hasn't put a damper on my holiday season, but it has changed how I view it. It's not a celebration of Jesus' birth from a virgin mother in Bethlehem anymore. Instead, it's a time to be thankful for my new knowledge, and to spend time with the people I love.

My problem lies with when people assume I celebrate Christmas. I have been wished a "Merry Christmas" by customers at work, strangers in the grocery store, and over-the-phone customer service representatives.

It's really starting to get to me.

Don't get me wrong... I am not one of those people who is out to change "Christmas Trees" to "Holiday Trees." I don't really care too much if Santa comes to the office to pass out gifts.

My problem lies with when people just assume I agree with the whole story. For the first time, I see this from the other side. For the first time, I see how my Jewish friend must have felt when we were in elementary school and she was the only girl who didn't celebrate Christmas. Her Mom went out of her way to come to the class and share their beliefs, and we all shared potato latkes (something I have loved ever since!).

I am really wondering if I should say something if people wish me a Merry Christmas... The last thing I want to do is offend anyone, but I don't think keeping my mouth shut is going to help me feel anything but more and more angry.

What do you guys think?

Andee


3 comments:

  1. Craig Says:
    December 18, 2008 at 4:45 AM

    I would wish them a happy winter solstice, or happy Chanukwansmas, etc.

    Also potato latkes are DELICIOUS. Also knows in Germany as Kartoffelpuffer - they're served at lent with sour cream and green onions. OMG delicious.

  1. Anonymous Says:
    December 18, 2008 at 8:59 AM

    Andee,

    I can sympathize with your conundrum so much. As much as we want to join in with the joy and playfulness of the season, I at least, have a hard time doing this when I know that people are doing so for all the wrong reasons. The majority of the people you see immersed in the traditions of the season are only doing so because it's just what they've always done. They aren't really stopping to think about the symbolism behind any of it and whether they are just following the crowd. Not to mention the fact that Christmas has become so incredibly commercialized that no one really stops to think anymore what the true intent of the season is. It's the only time that you are supposed to celebrate the birth of someone by giving other people presents! I mean even if you believe the story in the bible of the birth of Christ, the three wisemen brought gifts to Jesus, not to Mary and Joseph. So why do we feel compelled to give gifts to others during Christmas? That oddity has always been lost on me.

    Anyway, I for the most part just try to do as you have suggested. I just enjoy getting to see family who I don't see very much during the rest of the year and have fun going to parties with my friends. I think that if you try to come up with some quirky response to when people wish you a Merry Christmas you will really just end up frustrating yourself. Mostly because the majority of people just won't get it and you'll just be abhored at the ignorance of people! Just stay strong and know that you only have yourself to answer to and you know where you stand on the issue.

    Michelle S.

  1. Elder Joseph Says:
    December 18, 2008 at 2:31 PM

    I know what you mean about Christmas.

    Some time ago in LDS Sunday School'Investigators Class' the Ward Missionary or whoever he was said
    " Its time that everyone realised what the real meaning of Christmas is " meaning its about the Saviour etc (Mormon version of course)

    I suddenly responded as my many years of Cog Diss was finally dissolving and said

    "The real meaning of Christmas is Partying and Revelry, its the Catholic Church who hijacked it and tried to redefine it, its not really Christs Birthday anniversary at all, Christians should get their own day " lol

    (6th April according to the Mormons) :)

    He was stunned and just smiled.

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