Sadly, one of the factors of modernity that has made Christmas inclusive is consumerism.
That is NOT what this missive is about This about the...
Inclusiveness of Peace and Goodwill
Growing up so Lutheran that I had plans to become a Lutheran pastor, I am firmly aware of the name of this holiday being derived from the birth of Jesus. Over the years I have slowly come to realize that Christmas, despite it's name, is not so much tied to the divinity of Jesus and what that is purportedly supposed to mean to humanity. Even as a kid I had misgivings about participating in something that excluded such a large population of the world because they did not believe in Jesus as a savior. Fascinated by the Bible and it's exclusionary aspects, I have studied the history of the making of he Bible and the human influence in its creation. Given that the divinity of Jesus wasn't decided upon until more than three hundred years after his death, I stopped believing that divinity. Yet,
I still celebrate Christmas and for me it is a spiritual holiday
The Inclusion of Moreness
Even the beginning of Christmas celebrations, called "
Jul" in Germanic, Celtic, and Norse traditions, has it's roots beyond the Christian tradition. The Jul (Yule) season is tied to what Christians call pagan gods, such as Odin. Ironically, archaeologists have determined that Jesus most likely was born in early March. Was the celebration moved to December to integrate with previous pagan celebrations. Were the pagans inclusive enough to include a celebration of Christs birth? Even the Qu'oran acknowledges the existence of Jesus without his Divinity. In modern time non-Christians celebrate Christmas as a time of getting together and
Being Together. The point being that Christmas is more than a single myopic incidence of belief, It is
more.
Sharing, Giving, Loving
These are the aspects of Christmas celebration. You will find these elements as aspects of every spiritual tradition, regardless of labels placed on those traditions, Buddhist, Taoist, Pagan, Muslim or Christian. So what's in a name? Other than something to put on the calendar as a reminder to
love, share, give, and be peaceful, there is nothing to it. What more could it be, without being exclusionary?
Peace On Earth Goodwill to All
Please include all in your celebration.
Growing up so Lutheran that I had plans to become a Lutheran pastor, I am firmly aware of the name of this holiday being derived from the birth of Jesus. Over the years I have slowly come to realize that Christmas, despite it's name, is not so much tied to the divinity of Jesus and what that is purportedly supposed to mean to humanity. Even as a kid I had misgivings about participating in something that excluded such a large population of the world because they did not believe in Jesus as a savior. Fascinated by the Bible and it's exclusionary aspects, I have studied the history of the making of he Bible and the human influence in its creation. Given that the divinity of Jesus wasn't decided upon until more than three hundred years after his death, I stopped believing that divinity. Yet, I still celebrate Christmas and for me it is a spiritual holiday
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