Kudos to Matt Grocott

"Christmas" was originally a pagan observation of the season when the sun turned, and days became longer again. When Christianity came along, this popular tradition was seen as unwelcome competition for the masses and originally outlawed for the faithful. Failing to obliterate the event, Christians eventually decided to jump on the band wagon and celebrate along with non-Christians, eventually taking it over more and more and making it into a religious observation, partly based on the incorrect dating of the birth of Jesus Christ, whether a historical figure or not. It is perfectly all right to celebrate together, whether Christian or not, but preposterous for the believers to take it over and declare it exclusively theirs! It is fine to put a religious spin on it if you so prefer, but no one has a right to claim ownership of a tradition that was never theirs! The unfortunate thing is the name “Christmas”, which of course has religious connotation. It is only in English that the event is called by a religious name; in just about every other language the event has a non-religious label, for example the equivalent of “Yuletide’ in the Scandinavian countries. There, the event is rather secular in nature, but with religious overtones for those who prefer. Thus, the event is all-inclusive, offending no one. I remember when growing up in Norway, “Jul” was something that we all looked forward to, regardless of faith or lack thereof. It was for everyone, with good food, gift exchange, and celebration of brighter and warmer days to come. You could pass any stranger on the street, smile, nod and wish “Merry Yuletide”, and always get the same in return. “Jul” brought everybody together, with warm feelings and a positive attitude towards everyone, as well as generosity for the less fortunate. The word “Christmas” is exclusive and to some, unfortunately, offensive and contrary to what it could, and should be. To claim the Christmas tree as a religious symbol, is ridiculous. It is Nordic and secular in nature, and should be left that way. That fundamentalists and right wingers like the Glenn Becks, Bill O’Reillys, and Ann Coulters have the audacity to claim that non-believers or people with different faith than themselves are staging a “war on Christmas” is more than preposterous and dishonest. It is motivated by political selfinterests, as well as being divisive, unpatriotic and contrary to the intended spirit of, – yes, “Christmas”. Why turn an event that should bind us together on common ground, into something that divides us and creates hate and distress?

Merry Yuletide!

I second your kudos, Mr. Bankovitch. One has to wonder whether everyone who celebrates Christmas is aware of the meaning and why we celebrate Christmas. Thanks to Mr. Grocott for his educational column. Merry Christmas!

Good morning, Walt

Thank you for your letter.

I enjoy an email pen pal relationship with some other DJ readers... from the left and right side of the aisle. With respect to Matt's column last week, I wrote to my buddies, "Matt is a lightning rod but his column spoke to peace and hope. This is the season for such things."

Merry Christmas, Walt!