A Clear, Cold Night

Canada Free Press ^ | 12/24/14 | William Kevin Stoos

[Sean_Anthony]

For Christmas was, is, and always will be, a clear cold, night.

Some say that Christmas is too secular, that the glitter, music, gifts and family dinners are really not what the holy day is about. They hold that the Baby Jesus has been forgotten in the cacophony and confusion of commercial Christmas. They say that it is only about the birth of Christ. Everything else, they say, is a distraction or, even worse, sacrilege. Others say Christmas is not a holy day, but a day for family, friends, and presents—that Jesus was an historical figure, whose life should not be celebrated any more than the birth of Gandhi, or Mohammed. They believe we should not say “Merry Christmas.” We should, they say, celebrate “Winterfest,” or “Winter Solstice” instead. They argue that talking about or singing about Christ is not politically correct. They want a politically and religiously sanitized civil holiday that inspires no one and therefore offends no one.

[ThanhPhero]

In Viet Nam Christmas is close to being a national celebration even though the country is 90% non Christian. The people love the party and like Santa Claus. There is also some sympathy for the Mother and Child. For most of the Buddhist/animists there is no theological problem. They love Jesus and put him right up there with Quan An and the rest of the pantheon. I thought I was making some headway with a friend who loves going to mass but finally realized she was just putting Jesus up there with the others.