I love this piece and wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment! Christmas is both secular and spiritual for most of us. And I feel so fortunate that it has always been a happy season for my family and me. (AND, having been born and raised Catholic, I know when the 12 Twelve Days of Christmas occur and that tree won't come down until after the 6th!)
Which is not nothing because eventually it's over. You might be able to look forward to the actual Republic of Gilead being over but it might be on the scale of lifetimes.
I did not want to annoy JVL with this but something very deep to be thankful for is that Nostra Aetate has held up for 60 years and we can watch the pope on TV in the midnight mass broadcast (spouse always does this. John Paul II was one of spouse's heroes and spouse even saw him go by in the popemobile when he visited St. Louis) and view him as a respected religious leader. I was excited for what Leo would say. The speech was clear that Christmas should be the beginning of something and not the end of something (and not a memorial that we live to fight another day which is what Hanukkah is).
Rabbi Ben Greenfield who was very unfortunately let go by Bais Abraham in St. Louis is now the head of Valley Beit Midrash in Las Vegas and started the position with a lecture on 4.5 interpretations of Hanukkah in which the idea that this is about Jewish sovereignty can be traced back to Maimonides
What a lovely explanation of how I feel about Christmas! As an Episcopalian with a Jewish husband and a Jewish daughter, I'm a little overwhelmed when Hanukkah and Christmas are as close together as they were this year. On the other hand, I only had to make cranberry relish once; I love cranberry relish on latkes and with the standing rib roast I always make for Christmas dinner. Growing up, we weren't allowed to play Christmas music on the stereo until after Thanksgiving dinner was over, and I still wish the stores would hold off a little longer, but I love all the exuberant yard decorations and lighted houses. As a book I often read to my daughter when she was little says, "Light the lights!"
My wife, children, and I are progressive, observant Christians with holiday traditions of attending Christmas Eve services and then observing the Jewish tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas Day. We'd all prefer to relax on Christmas Day and not have to make a meal.
Jim, you nailed how I feel about Christmas. Once a Lutheran, now an Episcopalian I've lived with this duality of thought my entire life and don't mind it. We might sing "Joy to the World" on Advent IV but the big gorgeous, songs are saved for Christmas Eve. (I'm a choirster.)
To make my celebration even crazier we celebrate Jul. My maternal grandparents were born in Sweden, I lived in Denmark as an exchange student, I have a Danish son-in-law. Big dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, presents from elves on Christmas Eve and Santa on Christmas Day! What could be better?
As a Christian I would love it if somewhere in the Christmas message was a statement about a baby whose birth defies explanation, but if what I get is "Christmas is about peace, kindness and love" I'll take it. Glaedelig Jul. All 12 days of it. bjhk
A big fail. There are three holidays, you miss the nonsecular non-commercial holiday clearly heard in music and classic holiday films, thanks to nonbelievers who relish the season. Merry yuletide!
At the risk of sounding too schmaltzy or hyper-poetic—“Christmas,” much like The Bulwark, has a place at the table for everyone. As long as it’s open, earnest, respectful, and maybe even a bit self-deprecating, it’s all good. Jesus was a rebel and a rule-breaker, so I think he’s down with it all.
Similar experience in my church. The pastor gave a good, sincere homily about the waiting and its importance and how we can resist getting caught up too quickly in the glory of Christmas. During announcements, we had three different "Christmas" events offered. I was listening, Pastor.
"that America’s secular Christmas is a Jewish invention, one part crass commercialism and one part an actual attack on Jesus Christ." The amount of mental gymnastics it takes to blame Jews for "crass commercialization" to attack Christianity's Jewish "hero" (Jesus) makes me want to go put some more booze in my egg nog. When I observe the crass commercialization of Christianity itself (observe the big stage, big screen, big production religious services...sometimes including fireworks, flag waving, and the chance to purchase all sorts of products to declare to the world that you are really and truly a follower of the Jew, Jesus--t-shirts, bumper stickers, ornaments, flags, jewelry, etc) I wonder who "made" Christians do that? Why is is so important for Christians to want to do that? Jesus (the Jew) didn't ask or demand any of that. When people are not instructed on the deep, old rituals of religious rites, they risk stumbling into them LITERALLY (and being used). The tradition of the "scape goat" and other symbolic ways to acknowledge guilt and ridding one of guilt for another year is one of them (and one deeply and profoundly embedded in Judeo-Christianity). American White Christian Nationalism cannot see how deeply sinful it is because it cannot stand deep self-reflection. Trump is the embodiment of that.
Thank you for providing a fresh perspective on the American secular Christmas. I had been one of those people regretting the commercialization of a holy season, but isn’t generosity a Christian value? Haven’t people for generations celebrated birthdays with gifts? And hasn’t decoration always been a way of honoring God - as seen in the Cathedral du Notre Dame and other medieval churches?
I remain concerned about the trope that naughty children won’t get anything from Santa. What message does that send to a child whose family can’t afford for Santa to bring them presents?
I like the idea of making presents for loved ones - that shows affection without commercialism. I give Christmas presents irregularly (no children in my life) based on seeing items that remind me of someone. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I spotted the cutest mug with caricatures of various dogs on it at a thrift store for $1.99. It looked brand new. It will be going to a dog-loving friend, more as a “thinking of you” gift than a Christmas present. And yes, I’ll fully disclose where it came from, stressing that it made me think of her when I saw it.
I love the perspective and balance of this piece. Both aspects of Christmas are important to me, and while as I've gotten older the religious aspect has become more and more important, It somehow has never eclipsed my love for the emotional, social, and I suppose secular and commercial holiday. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is my favorite Christmas carol, but "Silver Bells" is still my favorite Christmas song, especially the Bing Crosby/Carol Richards version. It evokes such memories of going downtown as a kid on the bus -- for a quarter! -- to shop at quirky, unique stores now long gone, under snow flurries and to the sound of bells.
‘memories of going downtown as a kid on the bus -- for a quarter! -- to shop at quirky, unique stores now long gone, under snow flurries and to the sound of bells.’
Yes! It was such a big deal, exciting and magical. Woolworth’s too.
Sadly only occasional Christmas snow over many years now.
It is helpful to view what happened to Christmas in Britain in the early 19th century as a kind of template for what unfolded for Christmas in the United States. Christmas had tended to be a Church holiday or festival season, the celebration of which largely remained within certain Church communities. On the continent, this principally meant Catholics and Lutherans. In Britain, this meant some quarters of the Anglican church and the remnant Catholic communities. The Calvinists had tended to diminish the importance of church holidays, partly to emphasize that through God's grace Christ is with us every day and holidays are not needed, perhaps even a distraction from the idea that the gift of Christ makes every day a holy day. This view was also prevalent among Puritans in America. Additionally, the revelry and even drunkenness associated with some expressions of religious holidays, particularly Christmas, met disapproval from strongly religious Calvinists. Although Calvinism had not become officially dominant in Britain, with the exception of Scotland, it nonetheless had a significant influence on Anglican theology. While the Calvinist thinking was not without some wisdom, its influence by the 19th century begat something in urban Britain much like the spare, arid and penurious London world of Dickens's Ebenezer Scrooge. It was reaction to this reality that began to move some conscientious Britons, including evangelicals such as Methodists and some who were more secularly focused, to make the Christmas season a more public expression of good will, forgiveness and charity that at least for a time could soften this hard-bitten environment. Obtaining the support of the merchant community, which stood to benefit from this approach, was part of the idea. This is largely what became the public Christmas that we so clearly recognize in America. Sure, there is excess, but we should also be grateful and perhaps think about what our world would be if a public Christmas had never come into being.
How important -- if at all -- do you think that the influence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in making their family-centered, German-style Christmas effectively an annual media event was in accelerating the tendencies you've mentioned?
As a secular Jewish American, I will celebrate Christmas by eating Chinese food—this year in Reykjavik. The secular Christmas this author describes, assuming one can avoid its more commercial aspects, is lovely. Only a curmudgeon wouldn’t enjoy a holiday devoted to family, fellowship, and good will towards all men.
When I worked in the Cardiology Department at a Catholic University hospital, my Jewish head cardiologist celebrated a ‘work sponsored’ Christmas party but he would smile and ask me ‘Doyou know how Jewish people celebrate Christmas? We go to the movies & eat Chinese food’. Sometimes the holidays can become so hectic I’d love to do just that. Happy Holidays to everyone no matter how you celebrate; I believe love exists everywhere and I believe that’s ultimately the ‘message’.
Christmas is big enough for Christians and Pagans to enjoy. My tree is festooned with glass angels and winged fairies. Also a Santa in a spaceship.
Put Christ back in Christmas? I’d settle for putting Christ back in Christians.
I love this piece and wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment! Christmas is both secular and spiritual for most of us. And I feel so fortunate that it has always been a happy season for my family and me. (AND, having been born and raised Catholic, I know when the 12 Twelve Days of Christmas occur and that tree won't come down until after the 6th!)
This is a beautiful and thoughtful essay. Thank you for sharing this!
The best I can say for the American Christmas is that we survive it every year.
Which is not nothing because eventually it's over. You might be able to look forward to the actual Republic of Gilead being over but it might be on the scale of lifetimes.
I did not want to annoy JVL with this but something very deep to be thankful for is that Nostra Aetate has held up for 60 years and we can watch the pope on TV in the midnight mass broadcast (spouse always does this. John Paul II was one of spouse's heroes and spouse even saw him go by in the popemobile when he visited St. Louis) and view him as a respected religious leader. I was excited for what Leo would say. The speech was clear that Christmas should be the beginning of something and not the end of something (and not a memorial that we live to fight another day which is what Hanukkah is).
Rabbi Ben Greenfield who was very unfortunately let go by Bais Abraham in St. Louis is now the head of Valley Beit Midrash in Las Vegas and started the position with a lecture on 4.5 interpretations of Hanukkah in which the idea that this is about Jewish sovereignty can be traced back to Maimonides
What a lovely explanation of how I feel about Christmas! As an Episcopalian with a Jewish husband and a Jewish daughter, I'm a little overwhelmed when Hanukkah and Christmas are as close together as they were this year. On the other hand, I only had to make cranberry relish once; I love cranberry relish on latkes and with the standing rib roast I always make for Christmas dinner. Growing up, we weren't allowed to play Christmas music on the stereo until after Thanksgiving dinner was over, and I still wish the stores would hold off a little longer, but I love all the exuberant yard decorations and lighted houses. As a book I often read to my daughter when she was little says, "Light the lights!"
My wife, children, and I are progressive, observant Christians with holiday traditions of attending Christmas Eve services and then observing the Jewish tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas Day. We'd all prefer to relax on Christmas Day and not have to make a meal.
Beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Jim, you nailed how I feel about Christmas. Once a Lutheran, now an Episcopalian I've lived with this duality of thought my entire life and don't mind it. We might sing "Joy to the World" on Advent IV but the big gorgeous, songs are saved for Christmas Eve. (I'm a choirster.)
To make my celebration even crazier we celebrate Jul. My maternal grandparents were born in Sweden, I lived in Denmark as an exchange student, I have a Danish son-in-law. Big dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, presents from elves on Christmas Eve and Santa on Christmas Day! What could be better?
As a Christian I would love it if somewhere in the Christmas message was a statement about a baby whose birth defies explanation, but if what I get is "Christmas is about peace, kindness and love" I'll take it. Glaedelig Jul. All 12 days of it. bjhk
A big fail. There are three holidays, you miss the nonsecular non-commercial holiday clearly heard in music and classic holiday films, thanks to nonbelievers who relish the season. Merry yuletide!
At the risk of sounding too schmaltzy or hyper-poetic—“Christmas,” much like The Bulwark, has a place at the table for everyone. As long as it’s open, earnest, respectful, and maybe even a bit self-deprecating, it’s all good. Jesus was a rebel and a rule-breaker, so I think he’s down with it all.
Similar experience in my church. The pastor gave a good, sincere homily about the waiting and its importance and how we can resist getting caught up too quickly in the glory of Christmas. During announcements, we had three different "Christmas" events offered. I was listening, Pastor.
"that America’s secular Christmas is a Jewish invention, one part crass commercialism and one part an actual attack on Jesus Christ." The amount of mental gymnastics it takes to blame Jews for "crass commercialization" to attack Christianity's Jewish "hero" (Jesus) makes me want to go put some more booze in my egg nog. When I observe the crass commercialization of Christianity itself (observe the big stage, big screen, big production religious services...sometimes including fireworks, flag waving, and the chance to purchase all sorts of products to declare to the world that you are really and truly a follower of the Jew, Jesus--t-shirts, bumper stickers, ornaments, flags, jewelry, etc) I wonder who "made" Christians do that? Why is is so important for Christians to want to do that? Jesus (the Jew) didn't ask or demand any of that. When people are not instructed on the deep, old rituals of religious rites, they risk stumbling into them LITERALLY (and being used). The tradition of the "scape goat" and other symbolic ways to acknowledge guilt and ridding one of guilt for another year is one of them (and one deeply and profoundly embedded in Judeo-Christianity). American White Christian Nationalism cannot see how deeply sinful it is because it cannot stand deep self-reflection. Trump is the embodiment of that.
Thank you for providing a fresh perspective on the American secular Christmas. I had been one of those people regretting the commercialization of a holy season, but isn’t generosity a Christian value? Haven’t people for generations celebrated birthdays with gifts? And hasn’t decoration always been a way of honoring God - as seen in the Cathedral du Notre Dame and other medieval churches?
I remain concerned about the trope that naughty children won’t get anything from Santa. What message does that send to a child whose family can’t afford for Santa to bring them presents?
I like the idea of making presents for loved ones - that shows affection without commercialism. I give Christmas presents irregularly (no children in my life) based on seeing items that remind me of someone. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I spotted the cutest mug with caricatures of various dogs on it at a thrift store for $1.99. It looked brand new. It will be going to a dog-loving friend, more as a “thinking of you” gift than a Christmas present. And yes, I’ll fully disclose where it came from, stressing that it made me think of her when I saw it.
I love the perspective and balance of this piece. Both aspects of Christmas are important to me, and while as I've gotten older the religious aspect has become more and more important, It somehow has never eclipsed my love for the emotional, social, and I suppose secular and commercial holiday. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is my favorite Christmas carol, but "Silver Bells" is still my favorite Christmas song, especially the Bing Crosby/Carol Richards version. It evokes such memories of going downtown as a kid on the bus -- for a quarter! -- to shop at quirky, unique stores now long gone, under snow flurries and to the sound of bells.
‘memories of going downtown as a kid on the bus -- for a quarter! -- to shop at quirky, unique stores now long gone, under snow flurries and to the sound of bells.’
Yes! It was such a big deal, exciting and magical. Woolworth’s too.
Sadly only occasional Christmas snow over many years now.
It is helpful to view what happened to Christmas in Britain in the early 19th century as a kind of template for what unfolded for Christmas in the United States. Christmas had tended to be a Church holiday or festival season, the celebration of which largely remained within certain Church communities. On the continent, this principally meant Catholics and Lutherans. In Britain, this meant some quarters of the Anglican church and the remnant Catholic communities. The Calvinists had tended to diminish the importance of church holidays, partly to emphasize that through God's grace Christ is with us every day and holidays are not needed, perhaps even a distraction from the idea that the gift of Christ makes every day a holy day. This view was also prevalent among Puritans in America. Additionally, the revelry and even drunkenness associated with some expressions of religious holidays, particularly Christmas, met disapproval from strongly religious Calvinists. Although Calvinism had not become officially dominant in Britain, with the exception of Scotland, it nonetheless had a significant influence on Anglican theology. While the Calvinist thinking was not without some wisdom, its influence by the 19th century begat something in urban Britain much like the spare, arid and penurious London world of Dickens's Ebenezer Scrooge. It was reaction to this reality that began to move some conscientious Britons, including evangelicals such as Methodists and some who were more secularly focused, to make the Christmas season a more public expression of good will, forgiveness and charity that at least for a time could soften this hard-bitten environment. Obtaining the support of the merchant community, which stood to benefit from this approach, was part of the idea. This is largely what became the public Christmas that we so clearly recognize in America. Sure, there is excess, but we should also be grateful and perhaps think about what our world would be if a public Christmas had never come into being.
How important -- if at all -- do you think that the influence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in making their family-centered, German-style Christmas effectively an annual media event was in accelerating the tendencies you've mentioned?
I am sure it played a role in creating a more congenial and hopeful environment.
As a secular Jewish American, I will celebrate Christmas by eating Chinese food—this year in Reykjavik. The secular Christmas this author describes, assuming one can avoid its more commercial aspects, is lovely. Only a curmudgeon wouldn’t enjoy a holiday devoted to family, fellowship, and good will towards all men.
When I worked in the Cardiology Department at a Catholic University hospital, my Jewish head cardiologist celebrated a ‘work sponsored’ Christmas party but he would smile and ask me ‘Doyou know how Jewish people celebrate Christmas? We go to the movies & eat Chinese food’. Sometimes the holidays can become so hectic I’d love to do just that. Happy Holidays to everyone no matter how you celebrate; I believe love exists everywhere and I believe that’s ultimately the ‘message’.