What is Christmas?

I’ve been away from this blog for awhile.  It is not because I have nothing to say, it is because most times I have too much to say.  We are living in troubling times where we seem to see a continuous assault on personal liberties to - most would say - protect society from itself.  And, some might argue that society needs protecting from itself.  But, that is probably fodder better left for another essay.

But for this entry the question is, “What is Christmas?”

For the Christian believer, it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus…

For the Jewish believer, it is called Hanukkah, or the Festival of Light, and commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem.

To the Pagan believer, it is a festival of darkness, though not a darkness of evil, but rather the darkness of winter, and prayers for the return of light of spring…

To the Capitalist believer, it is a celebration of unbridled consumerism and demonstration of wealth.  Or to some, the lack there of…

To the child, it is a miraculous season where a jolly fat man in a red suit brings gifts to all the children of the world…

Whether your particular belief is here, or you believe something else, Christmas is a mythical celebration of human traditionalism and dogma.

Now, I have never made any secret of my beliefs…  I neither believe, nor disbelieve in God.  God is not provable point, and I don’t wish to waste time contemplating such a point.  But, I do not believe in the dogma that has collected for 1000’s of years for all current religious belief.  This dogma is the result of our ancestors answering the unanswerable questions of their time with what seemed like logical, though improbable, explanations.  These explanations now etched in the psyche of human race in defiance of the advancement of time.  This dogma for (your religion here) has unfortunately led to the vast majority of violence that we have perpetrated on each other for centuries…  more accurately, since the dawn of man.  That unquenchable thirst to control others which exists in too many individuals.

So, what do I think of Christmas?  Aside from the rampant consumerism, the aggrandizement of (your deity here), the parties and overindulgences…  Christmas, for me, is yet one more opportunity to celebrate the human existence, as imperfect as it is…  and to reflect upon the past to hopefully understand it, and help me travel the path to the future.

As Christmas rapidly approaches, and we begin to bid adieu to 2011, my wishes for all of us:

May we all find peace and happiness in our lives, and may we find it in our hearts to let each person live his or her life in peace and happiness, regardless of whether we agree with their choices.

Finally, Welcome Home!!! To all our service men and women coming home for Christmas, and my hope to all those still deployed that you are home soon.

May you all have a Joyful Holiday, regardless of which you may celebrate.

Your comments or questions are always welcome.