Grinch 2004

Christmas tree in my living room notwithstanding, this holiday season is assing me off even more than it usually does (which is saying something). I'm tired of people wishing me a Merry Christmas; I'm tired of the Christmas tree in the lobby of my office and the lobby of my office building and the lobby of my gym; I'm tired of the Christmas decorations every place else I turn. I'm glad Hanukkah is over, because now I don't have to see quite so many menorahs stuck like punctuation marks in the middle of the overabundant holiday decorations. (To be clear, I would prefer that there be no holiday-specific decorations in public places. Hanukkah is a minor holiday that has been blown ridiculously out of proportion because of its proximity to Christmas, and putting Hanukkah elements in public displays makes them no less offensive to my church-state-separating and religion-in-the-home-keeping sensibilities. Just like adding "I had a little dreydel" to the program made the 15 Christmas carols I had to sing in school concerts no more appropriate.)

But now, in addition to being fatigued of the holiday season and feeling increasingly reclusive, I'm angry. Because apparently, there is a growing segment of the American population that is outraged - OUTRAGED - that Christmas is being "stolen," "canceled," or "destroyed." How so? By commercialism, perhaps? Or by being watered-down to the lowest common denominator? Oh, no. Not that. That's all fine and dandy and the American way. Christmas, it seems, is being threatened with annihilation by those rare few public officials, school administrators, and bosses who have had the gall to suggest that the holiday be celebrated in homes and churches, instead of in schools and offices and government buildings.

Because apparently, if you can't SHOVE YOUR HOLIDAY DOWN MY THROAT, it's just not a celebration.

Comments

[Mom]

I suppose it would be too obvious for folks to go to church to celebrate Christmas. But hey, since I don't celebrate the holiday, what do I know?

[cmc]

I am of mixed Jewish and Christian heritage and I grew up celebrating Christmas in a secular sort of way. My family viewed it as a big hurrah that made the winter seem less bleak. While the holiday has obvious religious themes, I think its secular aspects often outweigh the religious in American culture and it is those secular aspects that to me are most charming (egg nog, gathering by the fire and general merriment on the shortest day of the year, candles, the tree, reindeer and sleighs, etc.).

I absolutely agree with your view that public schoolchildren should not be asked to sing Christmas carols (which are often explicitly religious!)and that expressions of Christmas really do not belong in the workplace. But perhaps the holiday would be more palatable for you (especially now that it is in your home!) if you were to view it as the Jewish members of my family have -- as a sort of secular seasonal holiday that has plenty of charm but does not necessarily signify anything about one's personal religious beliefs as to a Messiah or as to any other area of divergence between Christians and Jews.

[mad]

cmc - thanks for this thoughtful comment! I am trying to approach it as you describe, and as far as Christmas is now a part of my home life, that's how I like to view it. And that is, really, how Steve celebrates - a happy time to be with the family, full of good food and gifts and general good cheer. This is something I can get behind. It's the pervasive, in-your-face, my-holiday-is-ruined-if-I-can't-force-it-on-you, PUBLIC Christmas excess that continues to bother me, and which I doubt I will ever understand, no matter how much I grow to enjoy celebrating the secular, family-oriented aspects of Christmas with Steve and his wonderful family.