I am generally a pretty easy going person. I was raised Catholic. I went to Baptist Church as a teen. I was baptized Pentacostal and went to an Assembly of God church when Gary was a kid and became quite the holy roller Christian. My son is a fundamentalist Christian. I am married to a Jewish man and am raising a Jewish daughter and have studied Judaism with fascination and appreciation. I recently took a college course on religion that was expansive and informative as well. I consider myself eclectic and intelligent and very open to religious experience and love that my daughter is fortunate enough to understand diversity of faith at such a young age. I think this teaches her kindness and compassion and tolerance all important qualities for everyone on this planet.
That said, I got an e-mail at work the other day, from a co-worker. It started so innocently with a lovely picture of a flickering Christmas tree. And then it read, quoting the best I can, "This is a Christmas Tree, Not a Hanukkah Bush, Not an Allah Plant, Not a Holiday Hedge. It's a Christmas Tree. That's right CHRISTmas, CHRISTmas, CHRISTmas. If you don't like it tough. Get over it. CHRIST is the reason for the season."
Hmmmm. How odd. I was truly pissed off by this little cyber sent ignorant, biased, insane, insensitive bit of bigotry. I called another women that I work with who had received said e-mail and asked, "Did he maybe miss the fact that my last name is of Jewish decent?" Not that it mattered, but I wondered. I generally have a great sense of humor and can laugh off stupid things chalking them up to ignorance or the source, but this irked me. Not because, it was rude, or bigoted or ignorant, but because it was not Christian like at all and it was sheerly and stupidly inaccurate.
The Christmas tree has NOTHING to do with Christmas. Not a damned thing. The Christmas tree has not one thing to do with the birth of Christ. Which is the reason for the season. Christ was born in Bethlehem. The trees indiginous to this area are olive trees and palm tree, not firs and pines that are adorned by Christians of late. The Christmas tree was a pagan tradition that evolved like many pagan traditions into Christian ones. It doesn't have a darn thing to do with the birth of Christ though. Neither does the gift giving, although as part of a birthday celebration gift giving is appropriate, shouldn't we be giving gifts to Christ since it's His birthday. Or shouldn't we give them to those in need in his place which would be far more significant and Christlike than sending spiteful, false e-mails to people. At least, Santa who gets a the bad rap of commercialism attached to him, embodies the spirit of Christmas. This spirit is that of giving to others (Christ-like), kindness to children (Christ-like) and love of mankind (Christ-like).
Christians are in an uproar because the ACLU wants people to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas in order to A) not offend anyone who does not observe Christmas and B) to include people from all walks of life and all parts of the world who celebrate different holidays during this time of the year. Christians are upset by this because they construe this action as the ACLU trying to impart atheistic views on the world, crushing Christian beliefs with one blow. The reality is that although I do not agree with actions of the ACLU in some situations, this action is kind, benevolent and actually pretty darn Christian. Heavens trying to kind to others, inclusive, observant, and understanding is difficult for certain Christians to take is pretty strange to me. But then again, the biggest problem many Christians have is adhering to one simple biblical rule. "Judge not lest ye be judged."
I think it is time that Christians started reading the e-mails before forwarding them and thinking about the ramifications of their contents. If you want to spread the word of God and your faith in God do so with love and kindness in your own words. And try to remember that in being Christian, your goal is to act in ways that are Christ-like. Christ would never have gone up to a person and told them a lie and then asked them to deal with it and all the while offending them too. It just boggled my mind and sadly, reminded me that bigotry is alive and well in the hearts of many, many people pretending to be good Christians.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Chrismukkah!!
Tis the season for nervous breakdowns, fa la la la la la la la la la.
At our house we celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Gary puts up the tree and puts all of our ornaments on there. We have accumulated ornaments over the 20 years he and I have been celebrating Christmases all by ourselves. The first few years we were poor. Really poor. I went out after Christmas the first year and got a fake tree for 29.00 at K-Mart. I've had it ever since.
This year when Gary went to put it up, it started dropping needles like a dead live tree would. Which was pretty comical in itself. Then when he went to fluff the branches one of them fell off completely the wire broke. So, Joel and I are now trying to decide do we invest in a new tree.
The complexity of the situation is that traditionally there are no Christmas trees in Hanukkah. However, some people we know do have "Hanukkah" bushes which are more evergreen trees decorated with blue and white lights and dreidles, angels, snowmen, and stars of David. Gary is getting married in a year and a half so he won't be here to do the tree every year. Therefore, should we get a tree or not. Hannah has always had a tree and loves to decorate it. Still we really are trying to teach her the values and traditions of Judaism. Hanukkah is quite cool. We light candles for eight nights and she has an adorable Pooh menorah that she loves. We play dreidle and I make latkes a couple nights and a special dinner a couple nights and sufinagyot at least one night over the weekend (they are jelly doughnuts). We exchange presents every night and she really makes out between us and family she's usually opening 4-5 present every night. All things being equal, this is probably better than I made out for Christmas gifts and believe me I did really well at Christmas. Santa was really generous to my brother and I.
Still, the tree is a quandry. So I was thinking, if we keep a tree rather than calling it a Hanukkah bush or a Christmas tree, we could call it a memory tree. A memory tree came to mind as I was on my way home last night. Every year I buy a new ornament for Gary, Joel, and Hannah that is symbolic of something they like. Gary has gotten Snoopy ornaments for many years cause he loved Snoopy. Michael got hockey and Flyers ornaments when he lived with us. We have Sesame Street ornaments that Gary had as a baby and that Hannah now loves. We have Nutcracker ornaments that I bought after Christmas one year with Michael's real mom before she died. I have an ornament she gave me and several Karin did when she was alive. I have the cowboy boot Joel gave me the first year we started dating and the one we bought on our honeymoon and when we took Gary to Disney before he graduated highschool. The tree is full of memories. Additionally, my stepmom, Mikey sent me a bunch of ornaments that she and my Dad picked out before he died. I was thinking that this year I would buy a few ornaments in memory of the family and friends that I have lost to add to our tree, too. Hence, a memory tree.
I was thinking that for Aunt Laura who was a bell telephone operator and loved her martini's that I would either find an old fashioned telephone ornament or a martini ornament for her. My dad loved golfing, fishing, and cars and was an accountant by trade, however his love was the 1965 Baracuda we had back in the late 60's. That is the ornament I'd love to find for him. Would be great if I could find a green or brown one since the car was green originally but green was bad luck in racing and rallying so he painted it metallic brown. Karin loved Lighthouses and all things red, white and blue cause she was born on July 5th, 1950. I would love to find a red white and blue lighthouse for her. My uncle Tom, loved me most of all, I think, but he loved beagle dolls and hunting deer, so that would be what I'd like for his ornament. I thought I could do this with all the loved ones we've lost over the years and put their names and dates of birth and death on them too. So, each year when we are going through all those memories and those we love most are gathered near, we can still have those we miss most as part of the festivities. There is just something about all these wonderful memories and people that makes the holidays so very special for me. I'd like for Hannah to share that much of the tradition.
Since it's all about traditions too, I'd like to be able to incorporate the memories and fun that we associate with the tree decorations and going through each year and laughing at what each signifies or what year we bought it or who gave it to us. This is the part of Christmas that I hold most dear. So, when we merge into Chrismukkah for yet another year, I try to stress the beautiful aspects of Hanukkah and the special things that make it unlike Christmas, while still allowing the traditions of Christmas to glow throughout our house as well.
It's interesting to watch. Hannah wrote a letter to Santa today. She dictated I wrote. It went something like this.
Dear Santa:
I have been a good girl. I got your message about having accidents and I will try really, really hard to not do that anymore. I promise. How is Rudolph? He as a red nose that is shiny. I know you can see me because the gingerbread man you sent me told me. I wanted to tell you what I want for Hanukkah or Christmas. We do both. I want......
It was great to hear her asking Santa for presents for Hanukkah. What a hoot. I'll bet the mall Santa will be floored when he hears this one. Still, the traditions and religions all seem to be melding nicely at our house. Mostly Jewish, but culturally diverse.
Whatever you are celebrating, I hope it is happy!!!
At our house we celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Gary puts up the tree and puts all of our ornaments on there. We have accumulated ornaments over the 20 years he and I have been celebrating Christmases all by ourselves. The first few years we were poor. Really poor. I went out after Christmas the first year and got a fake tree for 29.00 at K-Mart. I've had it ever since.
This year when Gary went to put it up, it started dropping needles like a dead live tree would. Which was pretty comical in itself. Then when he went to fluff the branches one of them fell off completely the wire broke. So, Joel and I are now trying to decide do we invest in a new tree.
The complexity of the situation is that traditionally there are no Christmas trees in Hanukkah. However, some people we know do have "Hanukkah" bushes which are more evergreen trees decorated with blue and white lights and dreidles, angels, snowmen, and stars of David. Gary is getting married in a year and a half so he won't be here to do the tree every year. Therefore, should we get a tree or not. Hannah has always had a tree and loves to decorate it. Still we really are trying to teach her the values and traditions of Judaism. Hanukkah is quite cool. We light candles for eight nights and she has an adorable Pooh menorah that she loves. We play dreidle and I make latkes a couple nights and a special dinner a couple nights and sufinagyot at least one night over the weekend (they are jelly doughnuts). We exchange presents every night and she really makes out between us and family she's usually opening 4-5 present every night. All things being equal, this is probably better than I made out for Christmas gifts and believe me I did really well at Christmas. Santa was really generous to my brother and I.
Still, the tree is a quandry. So I was thinking, if we keep a tree rather than calling it a Hanukkah bush or a Christmas tree, we could call it a memory tree. A memory tree came to mind as I was on my way home last night. Every year I buy a new ornament for Gary, Joel, and Hannah that is symbolic of something they like. Gary has gotten Snoopy ornaments for many years cause he loved Snoopy. Michael got hockey and Flyers ornaments when he lived with us. We have Sesame Street ornaments that Gary had as a baby and that Hannah now loves. We have Nutcracker ornaments that I bought after Christmas one year with Michael's real mom before she died. I have an ornament she gave me and several Karin did when she was alive. I have the cowboy boot Joel gave me the first year we started dating and the one we bought on our honeymoon and when we took Gary to Disney before he graduated highschool. The tree is full of memories. Additionally, my stepmom, Mikey sent me a bunch of ornaments that she and my Dad picked out before he died. I was thinking that this year I would buy a few ornaments in memory of the family and friends that I have lost to add to our tree, too. Hence, a memory tree.
I was thinking that for Aunt Laura who was a bell telephone operator and loved her martini's that I would either find an old fashioned telephone ornament or a martini ornament for her. My dad loved golfing, fishing, and cars and was an accountant by trade, however his love was the 1965 Baracuda we had back in the late 60's. That is the ornament I'd love to find for him. Would be great if I could find a green or brown one since the car was green originally but green was bad luck in racing and rallying so he painted it metallic brown. Karin loved Lighthouses and all things red, white and blue cause she was born on July 5th, 1950. I would love to find a red white and blue lighthouse for her. My uncle Tom, loved me most of all, I think, but he loved beagle dolls and hunting deer, so that would be what I'd like for his ornament. I thought I could do this with all the loved ones we've lost over the years and put their names and dates of birth and death on them too. So, each year when we are going through all those memories and those we love most are gathered near, we can still have those we miss most as part of the festivities. There is just something about all these wonderful memories and people that makes the holidays so very special for me. I'd like for Hannah to share that much of the tradition.
Since it's all about traditions too, I'd like to be able to incorporate the memories and fun that we associate with the tree decorations and going through each year and laughing at what each signifies or what year we bought it or who gave it to us. This is the part of Christmas that I hold most dear. So, when we merge into Chrismukkah for yet another year, I try to stress the beautiful aspects of Hanukkah and the special things that make it unlike Christmas, while still allowing the traditions of Christmas to glow throughout our house as well.
It's interesting to watch. Hannah wrote a letter to Santa today. She dictated I wrote. It went something like this.
Dear Santa:
I have been a good girl. I got your message about having accidents and I will try really, really hard to not do that anymore. I promise. How is Rudolph? He as a red nose that is shiny. I know you can see me because the gingerbread man you sent me told me. I wanted to tell you what I want for Hanukkah or Christmas. We do both. I want......
It was great to hear her asking Santa for presents for Hanukkah. What a hoot. I'll bet the mall Santa will be floored when he hears this one. Still, the traditions and religions all seem to be melding nicely at our house. Mostly Jewish, but culturally diverse.
Whatever you are celebrating, I hope it is happy!!!
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