Friends,
I confess that I used to care a great deal about what people believed about the Winter holidays. As a Christian, I wanted people to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. The fact that some people would be observing Hanukkah this time of year was good too: even at my most conservative I was never much of a religious bigot, in fact, a little bit of eye rolling aside, I was even supportive of neo-pagan new agers who were celebrating the winter solstice.
What I didn’t like was Santa Claus. I didn’t like consumerism. I didn’t like a holiday that was stripped of all its religious meaning and reduced to a turkey dinner and a football game. I wanted there to be meaning infused with spirituality.
Now I don’t care. I’ve gotten over needing or even wanting people to share my religious inclinations. Now I want and need for people to be kind and generous. I want and need for people to experience joy and wonder. And I’m good with whatever makes that happen, especially this time of year.
So if buying and giving gifts is an expression of kindness and generosity, so be it. If believing in Santa is a way for children to experience joy and wonder, then I support believing in Santa. If eating turkey and watching football in a secular environment brings people together, then bon appetite and game on.
As for me, I’ll still be listening for the sound of angels singing to shepherds. I’ll still gaze at the heavens with Magi hoping to find a star that will lead me to Bethlehem’s manger. I’ll still sing “Silent Night”. I’ll still pray for peace on earth and good will to all. I’m a clergyman, after all; religious expression reminds me how to be kind and generous and it fills me with such joy and wonder as becomes a season as deep and wonderful as midwinter.
But I’m also going to be happy every time I see a present under a tree, because it just might bring joy to someone who needs it. I am going to let my heart be melted every time I see Santa, because the world needs more magic. I won’t be watching football this Christmas, but I’m glad someone will be because I know such family traditions have value even if they are not my family’s tradition.
So a happy Christmas to all—or happy Hanukkah, or Solstice, or happy whatever it is you are doing. May you be kind and generous, may your days be filled with wonder and joy.
God’s Peace,
Ben