A recent letter to the Editor that condemned the “Christian” celebration of Christmas claiming it offended them initially made me angry.
How can that be? I don’t wish to offend anyone with my decorations, singing the songs of the season and wishing, with real feeling, a Merry Christmas to strangers like clerks in a store etc.
How can a season based on renewed hope offend someone, I thought. How can an annual time of the year, set aside to remember, help and enjoy those we love or wish to help by taking time out of busy year and making an effort to focus on ‘someone else’ for a change, offend anyone?
Myself, an non-attending church person of no particular persuasion having been raised on this annual Christmas holiday, continue to be baffled by those who are offended by extended friendship and renewal in the hope of Peace on Earth. There is beauty in hope, I think.
And is there harm to children by this annual celebration? I can’t see the collateral damage caused by renewing in children the fellowship and giving at this annual festive time.
And if it is so demeaning to some, why is it also celebrated by so many other countries in many different forms by other religions?
Anyone who cries foul to Christmas is someone who is deeply troubled by a time when all people join in hope. If they have a faith that also connects with this time of year, that is wonderful. But to put burden (or blame for insulting them) on stores to drop the tradition of Christmas or demand the incorporation of other religions is so petty, so lacking in understanding that Christmas has become more than a ‘Christian’ religion. It is bigger than that.
Christmas is a time to care, share and regenerate the heart with love. If that offends those who do not ‘believe’ in the Christian doctrine and cannot see past that, I truly am not angry. I say, ‘I feel sorry for your poor poor life.’
L. G. Anderson
Spruce Grove, AB
