Happy Whatever
For quite a while now, every year around this time, there has been a resurgence of social media posts claiming there is “war on Christmas” and that “you are not allowed to say Merry Christmas anymore.” You can easily check whether the above is true. I did, and it is not. Unparliamentary language usually follows, frequently addressing politicians and some ideological options. I find that quite ironic. It reminds me of a line from a poem by a Polish priest and poet, fr. Jan Twardowski: “I was defending God so zealously I hit a man in the face.”
The other wave of social media posts are the ones reminding us that in December, Christmas isn't the only game in town. There is also Bodhi Day for Buddhists and Jewish Hannukah. Our Wicca/pagan brothers and sisters celebrate Solstice and people of African descent observe Kwanzaa. Some Muslims observe the Birthday of Prophet Muhamad's daughter. There is Champa Sashti Hindu festival. You can also run into someone determined to tell you they celebrate Festivus.
Both, in cyberverse, and on the streets of Kindersley we are no longer a homogenous community. Whether we look at faith, culture, country of origins, political affiliation, dietary preferences … we differ. All of that can contribute to one another's enrichment … if we let it.
For me, as a Christian, the story of the birth of Jesus, the story of God incarnate, of God-with-us (Emmanuel), is one of the foundations of my identity. It is a story of radical inclusion. That was what Jesus preached and practiced, and it began with His birth. Let's take a "manger attendance," shall we? There is Joseph married to Mary, who was already pregnant, a King born in a barn, smelly shepherds fresh from the fields, Wise men and a bunch of animals. In a nutshell and squeezing the timeline – a bunch of people from various walks of live, having little in common, gathered in one place. All because God decided to make an appearance. There was no prerequisite of any kind for those invited, no value judgement upon those who came. There were no "ifs" or "buts." There was only a "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10b). I am a Christian because the nature of God, as revealed in, and by, Jesus resonates with my soul. The angels' message "for all the people" resonates with my soul.
The variety of religions and Christian denominations tells me that God speaks to us in various ways, and we hear God in many ways. There are ten churches identifying as Christian in Kindersley alone!
Have you ever been curious about your neighbour (remember – it is not a geographical concept, but a moral one)? About the people you work with, you play with, you chat on the street with? I mean really curious. Curious beyond "where are you from?" and "how long have you been here?" How about "what is your fondest memory of Christmas?" or "what's most important celebration in your religion?" or maybe even "how does God speak to you?" Bear in mind that someone else reading this might ask you just those questions.
In this sacred Christian time, I wish you love, hope, joy and peace. I wish you meaningful family connections. May you not be hungry.
Being unsure of what you celebrate, I wish you a happy Christmahannukwanzalstice.
Your neighbour and brother, Piotr
The Rev. Piotr (Peter) Strzelecki VDM
St. Paul's United Church