Merry Christmas Eve!
A few years ago I proposed what I was sure would be a... permanent solution to the Christian "oy-what-do-I-give-if-anything-at-all-to-my-Jewish-friends" dilemma. I know what you're thinking my gentle gentile-souled friends:
I suggested a brilliant idea that, to my surprise, has not caught on. But it's not too late! Christians, you still have a day to make yourself and your Jewish friends happy. So in the interest of interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence, and tolerant egalitarian commercialist commodification, and in the tradition of my ancestors before me, allow me to re-post what should have been -- and hopefully will become -- very prophetic words.
I would like to give birth to a new holiday tradition. Forget the happy Hanukkah cards. How about a thank you note?
Who killed Jesus is a topic of much debate: was it the Jews, the Romans, a combination, Jesus' own father, a plot requirement? Yet the question of who gave birth to baby Jesus is answered without equivocation: Mary. Yes, she did so with the help of God, but it was Mary who schlepped from inn to inn before settling on a perfectly acceptable no-frills manger (a real find.) And it was her zaftig, child-bearing hips which really delivered the goods. I happen to like Jesus, who was a real mensch, and wish that the Church followed his teachings more closely. And I'm not trying to take all the Jewish credit for Christ's birth. I just think that since we have, throughout history, been blamed for his death, we deserve, at the very least, a little credit for his birth. So here are some sample cards I would like to see. Nothing fancy, don't go crazy. Just something like "Thanks so much for the best Christmas present ever! Jesus Christ." Or "We were thrilled with a lord. But a lord and savior! You really outdid yourself." So Christians, send a thank you note to every Tom, Dick and Harry -- or Tov, Dov, and Heschie -- you know.
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Me? I celebrate New Years.
Go Lakers.
My view of my experience of Christmas is a bit tarnished by my experiences growing up as a Jew in a predominantly Christian culture. I don't talk about it and alot of Jews lie low around it and don't mention it. But it does get old for example not being able to go shopping on other people's holiday that is clearly a religous one because official US and State LAWS tell me I can't. Laws protect their holiday not mine. I live with it am not suggesting stores should be open, not enough people who could work without missing their holday. But I do experience a flash of irritation thinking "DOH forgot...can't do xx and yy on Sat...DOH must fill up gas tank".
I am too aware of history also. My relatives were killed and raped in Christ's name on his holidays (mostly Easter in Europe) for 600 years (including great aunt and uncle in Pogroms in 1920's). Yet am forced to mark his birth. At least Jesus himself was a loving peacemaker.
ON another note, I am Catholic and grew up in a mostly evangelical area in Texas. When I was around 13, a protestant "friend" asked me if it was true that Catholics drank blood and chanted at church and "how gross!" etc. I suppose that's technically kind of true given the belief in transubstantiation, but I didn't really view it that way back then. Not sure why I'm telling all of this. It seems somehow relevant...relatable or something. Anyway, Happy New Year!
its candle lighting season. for whatever reason you choose.
If you feel the need to correct me and say, "No! Merry Christmas" I will wonder what deity would want a sourpuss like you in His/Her service.
With all that said: a very Merry Christmas, Joyful Solstice, Happy Kwanzaa and whatever other reason you come up with to knock off work and spend time with family and friends.
I don't understand the whole tsimmis over treating Christmas like a generic holiday. It is. In a country that does a pretty good job (until recently) separating church and state, Christmas is a national holiday. I think most people can separate the religious significance and the cultural one.
If some people are sitting around and one gets up to go to bed and says, "good night everybody", nobody gets offended and says, "but we're staying up." You say "good night" back. Maybe even "sweet dreams." Why can't we treat Christmas the same way. A christian, or even another Jew tells you, "Merry Christmas." Why say, "I'm Jewish." It's Christmas, whether you celebrate it or not. Just say, thankyou and Merry Christmas to you.
It's winter. Can't we all learn to chill?