Celebration, Come On!

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Two For ChristmasThe last thing I want to do in this joyous season is start an argument, but in order to proceed with what I want to do here, which is wish everyone Happy Holidays, I feel the need to point out that there’s a reason many people say “Happy Holidays” rather than simply “Merry Christmas.” There’s a lot going on this time of year. Let’s break it down a bit:

Chinese New Year
Hannukah
Kwanzaa
Winter Solstice
Yule
New Year’s Day (Western)
Bodhi Day (Buddhist)
Pancha Ganapati (Hindu)
Soyal (Zuni & Hopi)
Hogmanay (Scotland)
Quaid-i-Azam (Pakistan)
HumanLight (Humanist)
Dōngzhì Festival (East Asia)
and yes, Christmas.

And that’s not everything by half. So here’s the thing, and it’s got nothing to do with either being “PC” or any imagined “War on Christmas.” To automatically say “Merry Christmas” to someone whose background and customs you may not know is an example of unexamined priviledge and cultural assumptions that are as likely as not unwarranted, not to mention just plain rude. Sure, I’ll say “Merry Christmas” to family and friends in person, but even then only when I know we’re on the same page, which is not always the case. To say it here, on this blog, when I know darn well that not everyone reading this shares either my background or beliefs is to use the season as a club, not a hug. Sometimes I am a jerk, but I try not to be, and that’s the beginning and end of it.

So Happy Holidays, everyone, because no matter what those holidays are, they should be happy, and that’s what I wish for you all.

 

3 thoughts on “Celebration, Come On!”

  1. Happy Holidays back to you as well….. and including all feels correct…. from the metaphysical and quantum sci perspective – we are all one already….

  2. Hope you had a satisfying Saturnalia!  Or maybe stupifying in my case, as Faiths mother and one sister is here for Christmas.

    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

  3. Thank you for putting it so clearly. I agree with you completely. This is such a beautiful time of year for so many people. The longest night followed by the return of the sun is honoured by so many people. We should celebrate the diversity and let our hearts be open.

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