Second in a Series of “The Duh-Huhs of Christmas”

Second in a Series of “The Duh-Huhs of Christmas”

I have heard that the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” (one of the most annoying songs I have ever heard, rivaled only by “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall”) is secret code to remember basic tenants of Christianity or Catholicism when the practice was outlawed. But, duh huh, doesn’t using the word “Christmas” itself give it away? I mean anyone who sings Christmas songs or celebrates Christmas MUST be a Christian. OOPS! My bad.

As we can see in our present culture, that is not true at all. Jesus has been completely usurped by Santa and “Making a List;” giving to people by people until you go into debt and hope other people spend as much as you did on them or you will hold a grudge, overarches any understanding of receiving the gift of a Savior coming to live life as we do, so we can never say to God – “You have no idea how hard this life is!” At least one person I know from every culture and religion celebrates Christmas in some form. I say this merely to point out that celebrating does not mean believing (including those who call themselves Christians), not as criticism. It would be hard to avoid Christmas altogether in a society consumed with consumerism!  Though I would say people of the Jewish faith follow their own faith most closely at this time of year, maintaining their own beliefs as separate – perhaps made easier by a similar time frame for a holiday celebration. Or who knows, maybe that makes it harder…

So if I am not criticizing per se, why the duh huh? Because as a whole, the American culture is very accepting of so many things and people without criticism (which is good), or hate certain groups of people based solely on skin color or religion or place of birth (which is bad), but we tend to do so without knowledge or understanding (which is risky). Why risky? If any time of year is the right time to ponder the gift of eternal life, it is Christmas. And that gift is not in 12 golden rings, or a pretty tree, or shop ‘til you drop. It is in the birth of one very special baby. If you don’t really understand what that first “Christmas” was all about, isn’t it time you asked?

A great place to start is http://www.impactchurch.com/messages2#

Keeping Christ in Christmas – Part 1: Three Things Jesus Came to Reveal About God
Keeping Christ in Christmas – Part 3:  When God Messes Up Your Plans OR God Made You for a Purpose OR God Has a Bigger Plan for Your Life than You Have for Your Life (A bigger purpose than you can ever imagine!)
Keeping Christ in Christmas – Part 4:  

Heather J. Kirk Art by Heather J. Kirk www.heather-kirk.artistwebsites.com Literature by Heather J. Kirk http://www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books.html

First in a Series of “The Duh-Huhs of Christmas”

First in a Series of “The Duh-Huhs of Christmas”

I’ve been trying to figure out why saying “Merry Christmas” is offensive to people in retail stores. (Duh Huh, people are buying CHRISTMAS gifts!) I tried to put the shoe on the other foot…what if someone said to me “Happy Hannakuh!” What would my response be? Probably just “Happy Hannukuh!” back. Or if I was in a wordy mood, “Oh, you celebrate Hannukuh? Have a wonderful celebration!” But that isn’t quite the same as someone who isn’t religious at all. So what would be a good parallel? What if someone said to me “Happy Saturnalia”? Would I be horrified? Offended? Yell at the person? (As happened to a clerk at Nordstroms who got yelled at for saying Merry Christmas, and she has decided to keep saying it anyway… Good for her.)

Possible responses to “Happy Saturnalia!”

1. Oh, is it that time of year  already? My how time flies!”
2. It is a happy day! I can’t wait to get past the winter solstice to longer (and warmer) days!
3. That’s the third time today someone has called me a Pagan. I really need to work on that… (Oh, don’t get all upset, a true Pagan would find that funny.)

What would you do or say?

Heather J. Kirk Art by Heather J. Kirk www.heather-kirk.artistwebsites.com Literature by Heather J. Kirk http://www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books.html