I'm Not Christian, but...

Neither the Library Lady nor I is Christian, but we both found something worthwhile in the letter below. In this season of people getting their undies all in a twist over whether or not it's OK to use the word Christmas and making themselves nuts with all the gift-giving, maybe it would help to stop and think about why the holiday was celebrated in the first place. So, although I'm not "a believer," I believe in many of the sentiments expressed here.

Letter From Christ

Dear Believers,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors that decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now that I have that off my chest let me go on:

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be one every few feet all over town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a "holiday tree" instead of a Christmas tree. That tree never actually symbolized me anyway. The tree was a part of an old pagan ritual, people just started calling it by my name, then a few folks added an angel on top and a Nativity at the bottom to remind them of my birth.

If you want to give me a give me a present in remembrance of my birth here is my wish list—just choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up, it will be nice hearing from you.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that's hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt take their own life this season because they are feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile—it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word.

8. If you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Finally don't ever forget that I'm God. I can take care of myself. All you need to do is obey my commandments and let me take care of the rest.....

Comments

[leah]

Amen!

[Anne Glamore]

Well said.

[kat]

yes, amen to that.

[Elisson]

Amen v' amen.

The only exception I'll take is to the business of the "Holiday Tree." It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to refer to a Christmas tree as a "Holiday Tree" for reasons of political correctness, inclusiveness, whatever.

Last I checked, there is only one holiday that involves decorating a tree, and that's Christmas. Not New Year's Day, not Kwanzaa, not Eid al-Fitr, and most assuredly not Chanukah (Gawd forbid!).

It may have started out as a pagan custom, sure, but it's definitely a Christian thing now. They're welcome to it.

Happy Chanukah, Karen - to you and all y'all!

[Briannakye]

Um, Elisson, pagans aren't gone, thank you very much, so do you mind if WE keep our tree tradition without having to call it by your religion's name or is that asking too much?

That is a great article, inlcuding the tree part, and I thank you for sharing it!!

Happy Holidays to all!!