News & Views

The Holidays are Really Holy Days

by Klaus Rohrich

December 22, 2003

When was it that so many of us began a wholesale rejection of the basic ideologies that helped form our culture over two millennia? A mere 50 years ago we proudly talked about the Judeo-Christian ethic that formed the basis of our legal, as well as legislative underpinnings. As little as two decades ago, no one seemed to have much of a problem saying "Merry Christmas" or "have a happy Hanukkah". Today there are those among us who have a veritable phobia about all things unsecular.

To the theolophobes among us, I would like to say these three words: "Get over it!" There is nothing wrong with having faith, with believing in something other than the here and now and in allowing that faith to guide one’s principles. Is the wholesale commercialization of Christmas any better than the spirituality which should be rightly reflective of this holiday? Is going out on a feeding frenzy of shopping and consumerism preferable to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ or observing the festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the re-dedication of the temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrians in 165 BC?

We allow those who are of a faith other than Christianity or Judaism to enjoy their religious holidays unhampered. I am not aware of Muslims being proscribed from fasting during Ramadan. We readily wish Chinese Canadians "Kung Hey Fat Choi" (Happy New Year) and have no problem with their celebrating their own version of a calendar that is out of sync with ours.

I also do not believe that individuals of other cultures take offense at our celebration of Christmas or Hanukkah the way that some of us think they do. I am sure that pious people of other religions are much more offended by the rampant sexualization of our children, than they are by our Christmas trees or menorah candles.

Some school systems have begun to call Christmas and/or Hanukkah by other names, such as "winter holidays", in hopes of expunging any religious connotation associated with these. How bizarre is that? We are afraid that others might find the celebration of our religion offensive, so we go ahead and celebrate the holiday, but we call it something else. That’s akin to being married, but telling everyone that you’re really just living together.

I believe it’s time that we stood up to the politically correct cretins that would destroy our culture in wholesale lots. We are a nation steeped in the Judeo-Christian traditions. We have developed along these lines for well over 2,000 years. If atheists among us object to Christians and Jews celebrating their religious festivals, no one is forcing them to participate. Don’t buy a tree. Don’t buy presents. Don’t light candles. Don’t eat the turkey. If those of other religions were offended by Christianity or Judaism, a good suggestion would be to urge them to repatriate someplace where their particular religion is the prevalent one. Just leave the rest of us to enjoy our faith in peace.

As we approach this holiday season, let’s remember that both Christmas and Hanukkah have a deeper meaning, one that transcends the rampant spending. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, while Hanukkah is about the rededication of the House of God. Both Holidays are religious in nature and always will be. Peace and Good Will to everyone.