The energy of the argument over Holiday Greetings baffles me as it is contrary to the message of the season. I celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ, but enjoy and celebrate my friends of other faiths or beliefs as well. I welcome any and all heartfelt greetings and I would personally consider my heart angry if I considered it an attack on or a disrespect of my faith. Since the Holiday Season is often considered to kick off at Thanksgiving, I sometimes choose Happy Holidays. It not only shows consideration for others of different faiths, it is also practical. I use it in an attempt to encompass the true spirit of joy and thanksgiving on not just two or three days, but over the time between Thanksgiving and New Years in which we close out one year and open the promise of another - a time which is perfect to use the celebratory energy to look into the corners of our heart, see whats there and remove or heal anything that isnt of Peace and Joy. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Collossians 3:15 Put on the New Self Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.… Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary on the above scripture: 3:12-17 We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them..... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I personally think Jesus would have no problem with any expression of goodwill, peace and good tidings towards our fellow man/woman. And he most certainly would be unlikely to find issue with Happy Hanukkah, a holiday which though not widely celebrated until the 70s, was likely acknowledged or celebrated by a Jewish Rabbi with his close associates and family as it started in the 2nd century BC as a commemoration of the liberation and re-dedication of the New Temple. And it also happens to contain the story of the oil that was necessary for the purification and as told in the traditional accounts - the High Priests only had enough to burn for one day, but somehow it burned for the full eight. The thought of that has always made me want to celebrate Hannukah! Of course Im in the apartment industry where since 1988 we were legally mandated to be considerate of other cultures, practices, religions in word, deed and advertising, so maybe my sensitivity and respect for others came easier by necessity...but however it came, Im a better person for it. I must admit that its not only the energy of argument inserted into a holy season that bothers me. I find the Merry Christmas Argument hypocritical since many of us Christians sometimes celebrate Christmas more by loading up the credit cards at the malls or online, getting stressed, depressed and irritable about the holidays and less about focusing on the joy and birth of Christ. The argument certainly doesnt reflect goodwill towards our fellow man, so please forgive me if I tend to suspect that at least some of the protesters either consciously or more likely unconsciously are just easily baited to do battle where battles are easily found. Please dont let anyone who is not peaceful in their heart and certainly not the media which thrives on divisiveness and anger, steal your holiday Joy. Peace Be Unto Us All and I wish you all Happy Holidays...ALL of them.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 17:47:27 +0000
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