Indiana

Let the ?War on Christmas? Begin

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I know we’re just a couple days into the holiday season, but it’s never too late to start talking about the “War on Christmas”.   You know the time when people get upset because someone wished them “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”.    They then go on ad nauseum to say America is continuing to slide away from it’s Judeo-Christian foundation.  Well, being the agnostic-Muslim that I am, I decided to remind folks that a lot of  the things rooted in Christmas tradition (courtesy of  The History Channel) have nothing to with Jesus.

December 25

First of all Jesus was not “born” in December.  Most scholars believe he was born in the Spring, likely March by our calender.  December 25 was chosen by Pope Julius I to coincide with the Saturnalia, a pagan winter festival to mark the Solstice.  Julius believed Christianity would be a lot more accepting if Christmas was held at the same time as the winter event.  If you can’t beat them, co-op them.  And just so you know, early Christmas celebrations were more like Mardi Gras parties.

Early America

In the early days of America, Christmas wasn’t even a holiday.  The Puritans banned it.  And Congress was even in session that day.   It was illegal in Boston from 1659-1681 because people would get so out of control.   Christmas didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870.  So much for our “long standing tradition.”

The Tree

Early pagan cultures believed the evergreen tree would keep away witches, spirits and other evil items.

Santa Claus

He is actually closer to the religious meaning of Christmas than the tree and the date. St. Nick is based on the monk St. Nicholas who was born near Turkey in the 4th century.

Blatant Commercialization

Go to the mall in mid-October and look at the Christmas decorations for sale. Nuff said!

Now does any of this take away from the meaning of Christmas, not really.  Messages of hope are always welcome, but I figured sometimes it’s best to nip this nonsense in the bud before it gets started.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on November 29, 2009 (boomark / email).