Noel, Noel

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I'll be home for Christmas

It’s time for Christians to take a deep breath and think about the season they’re in in relation to their faith and their neighbours. Yesterday, a non-believer took exception to Christian references made by the US Vice-President (he used the name of “Jesus” three times) in his Christmas address. Social media lit up immediately with the “keep ‘Christ’ in Christmas” reaction and applauded the VP for doing just that.

Winter solstice celebrations went on long before Jesus was born; Christians decided to hold their celebration of Christ’s birth during the same time. (See below) Christians today enjoy the right to unhindered celebration of the birth of the founder of their faith largely because the separation of religion and state guarantees it. 

By the same token, the state catering for one religion (as in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, for instance) leads to repression of all other faiths. For a state authority like the American VP to make out that the winter solstice celebrations are Christian shows insensitivity to non-Christian Americans, and compromises religion/state separation.

I know of no Biblical requirement to spread the gospel through political means. The preponderance of Christian religion in the West is likely why the Christ mass name found common usage (It’s somewhat surprising that in the Protestant Reformation, the “mas” part didn’t raise objections... or did it?)

Before we join cries of “Canada is a Christian country,” or “Put Christ back in Christmas,” we should at least take note that we are the extremely blessed citizens of a secular democracy that guarantees freedom of speech, of conscience and of movement, for us... and everyone else.

I wish all my fellow Christians a Blessed Christmas, and to all who don’t presently share my faith, I wish a Joyful Yuletide, Happy Hanukkah, Welcome Solstice or just... Happy Holiday!


"The origins of Christmas can be traced back to the ancient Roman and Norse civilizations. In fact, 25th December was not even Jesus’ date of birth. The early Christians appropriated what was originally a pagan holiday because it was convenient. Before that, the people of ancient Europe had celebrations of the pagan god Saturn or even Odin at the end of December to mark the shortest day of the year. Indeed, many of the Christmas traditions we have today come from these ancient festivals. Examples of this include kissing under the mistletoe and decorating trees." (The Pagan Origins of Christmas: Saturnalia, Yule, and Other Pre-Christian Traditions | History Cooperative)


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