I'm confused, I'll admit. Confused and perhaps a little annoyed; I'm admitting that too. Why are we taking the Christmas out of Christmas? We are supposed to celebrate the diversities of everyone...and well isn't Christmas one of those things that makes Christians diverse? I don't get it. I mean celebrating Kwanzaa makes people of African heritage diverse, Ramadan celebrated by the Muslims, Hanukkah celebrated by those that are Jewish. In my opinion all of these celebrations are beautiful, and all of them are important to our culture, so why can't I say Merry Christmas?
I would expect that if I were Muslim, that I would celebrate Ramadan. That I would fast from dawn until sunset and that when the fast was over (Shawwl) I would have a huge celebration with my family and friends and 'break the fast'.
I would expect if I were African that I would celebrate Kwanzaa. I would celebrate everything African. I would wear a beautiful African kaftan, light candles, and eat traditional foods.
If I were Jewish, I would proudly light my Menorah, exchange a gift a night with my family, and indulge in the beauty of fried foods.
I'm not any of these things, I am Christian. I decorate my Christmas tree, and I sing Christmas carols to my kids. I hang up ridiculous looking socks and fill them with presents.
I would never ask someone to not celebrate their heritage. I would never ask someone to not celebrate their religious beliefs; in fact I would love, love, love it if I celebrated all of these things. I think these celebrations are beautiful, historical, and so very important.
Instead of asking us to not celebrate 'Christmas' in our schools and in our places of work, why instead can we not make a point of celebrating all holidays? My children would sure learn a lot; in fact it would be a wonderful education!
I would agree that sometimes Christmas is over the top, and that during Kwanzaa (where I live anyways), unless you are African or a part of the African community, you may not know a thing about where to celebrate Kwanzaa, or what to do.. but shouldn't we all learn? Should our children not be taught the diversity of religious freedoms in their schools?
Just food for thought... but I'm going to keep saying Merry Christmas... and hope I don't offend anyone.
I keep saying Merry Christmas and I am not too worried about offending anyone... ;)
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteBoy I am sure with you on this one. I was raised Catholic but we learnt about all religions while in school. I believe our children need to learn a bit about all religions so that they can be more accepting and understand why religion causes so much pain and so much love. Maybe they can bridge the gap that we have failed to close.
So Heather Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Best
@guayfrancois
Merry Christmas to you!!
ReplyDeleteFound you from Ginger's link and now a follower...can't wait to read more!
Thanks Championm2000! You're support is much appreciated :)
ReplyDeleteI also found you via Ginger. I agree with you (and as a first grade teacher, I DID teach all of the celebrations... that was our way of getting to celebrate Christmas with the kiddos).
ReplyDeleteMy favorite student (yes, I had a favorite) was Muslim. His immigrant parents told me that they wanted Adel to celebrate the commercial parts of Christmas (if not the true meaning) because he is an American now. They wanted him to know about Santa and stockings and decorating trees. They invited me to their mosque, and made me feel welcome without trying to convert me. Knowledge (and tolerance) is power.