Today was Christmas, the anniversary of Christ’s birth that is celebrated by Christians.
In the US, we see many decorations, intensive gift shopping, and traditional family gatherings. As a non-Christian, though, as I see people fighting for a parking space at the mall or cutting off someone in traffic, I wonder if somehow the big message is missing here.
Christmas is just one of the holidays celebrated during this season. For Jews, Hanukkah often coincides with or near Christmas. African Americans celebrate Kawanzaa, and many cultures have a special observance for winter solstice—the shortest day of the year.
On an online forum, someone asked, “Are Jews insulted if you wish them a Merry Christmas?” The answer was almost universally, no. We understand that this is meant as a general greeting of good will. You could offer “happy holidays” to someone if you aren’t sure what holiday they celebrate. But we do get insulted when you say “globalize the intifada,” because we understand this refers to killing us or our Jewish brethren.
Instead of looking for the right set of words, most of us would much rather see behavior that epitomizes what we understand to be the spirit of the holiday: peace on earth and good will to men.
In that spirit, I wish you all a happy holiday season—regardless of what holiday you do or don’t celebrate. And for all of us, a happy, healthy, prosperous, and safe new year to come.
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