Several weeks ago I froze in my tracks when I heard Christmas music in a mall. It was still October. I thought to myself, “I’m not going to make it this year.” To hear great hymns blurring in and out of hideous Christmas jiggles has gotten harder each year of my life. At this point, I just leave.
Perhaps the most odious aspect of Christmas for me is when, every year, Christians claim that others are trying to steal the holiday from us.
“The Grinch is trying to steal our holiday.” The Grinch in question is atheists, and they will not be satisfied until they stamp out happiness itself.
“The nation comes together, we sing Christmas carols, we give gifts to each other. We have lighted trees, and it’s just a beautiful thing,” says Robertson. “Atheists don’t like our happiness, they don’t want you to be happy, they want you to be miserable! They’re miserable, so they want you to be miserable! So they want to steal your holiday away from you.” -Pat Robertson
I thought the whole point of Christmas was to share! If some of us want to share the holiday with Jews, Muslims and with atheist friends, isn’t that what the season is for? How did we get from a symbol of sharing to a celebration of hoarding? How did we get from a poor baby born in a cattle stall, to people in mink coats announcing televised parades? How did we get from reverence for a solitary star, to malls awash in garish lights and tinsel? How did the “silence” of “Silent Night” get converted into blaring elevator music?
My message to those who fear that someone might steal Christmas is to relax. You’re too late. Capitalism already stole it.
http://www.alternet.org/pat-robertson-issues-dire-warning-about-atheists-stealing-christmas
Jim, I am Pagan. I love Christmas. To me…this time of year is when the spiritual is closest to the material. I don’t know why I feel that way and I don’t care really in the end. Because I love the warmth bubbling from within…I love the baby Jesus, the Christmas lights, the Yule log, the carols and the feeling that I can get away with telling everyone in the world I love them…whether they “believe” or not. And every year I endeavor to let the other part of Christmas just pass me by…to smile and smile and smile…
Bobbie, Thanks. I’m sure you know that winter solstice celebrations go back as far as anyone tell, so no one really has the copyright.
Two things stick out to me in this post…
1. Citing Pat Robertson as a legitimate source for anything related to true Christ centered culture is ridiculous at best. He’s often the “go-to” guy for comments that are equal parts misinformed, out of context, offensive, and plain laughable. My submission is that its easier to just leave him alone…noone REALLY considers Mr. Robertson an accurate mouthpiece for Christendom, do they??!?
2. The point of Christmas isnt to share…its to celebrate. Its to celebrate the birth of the savior, a time to realize King has come.
Sure…we often DO share at Christmas…time, gifts, etc….but its not the point at all…just a by-product. You ask how we’ve come from “sharing to hoarding” and “poor babies in cattle stalls to people in mink coats announcing televised parades”? That’s easy…good old American, selfish, culture. We’re fat on ourselves, our issues, our wants and desires…and we’ll look for any diversion around the real reason Christmas occurs. There’s obviously nothing inherently wrong with giving gifts or sharing…but its not the “why” or “how” of Christmas.
My message to those who fear that someone might steal Christmas is to relax. You’re too late. Capitalism already stole it. My thoughts exactly.