Seasons Greetings

I have recently been getting messages on Facebook saying something like “We say Merry Christmas - Share if you agree.”

They often link to messages about “respecting the flag” and “God and Country” and other rallying cries and recruiting tags for the far right.

 Usually, the reader is also exhorted to refuse to say “Happy Holidays” or similar, implying the collapse of Western civilisation if you use that dreaded greeting.

 This time of year is special, and often sacred, to other religions and communities besides the Western Christian traditions.

 Jews celebrate Hannukah.

 Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day.

 Although not fixed, Muslims celebrate Eid and Ramadan around this time of year.

 Many people, including Pagans, celebrate the Solstice on 21 December.

 Atheists just enjoy the public holidays.

Holding special celebrations at this time of year predates Christianity. Celts celebrated Yule and the Romans had Saturnalia. Even Zoroastrians have special celebrations in December.

The Western Christian church subsumed and appropriated these celebration times in pagan communities many centuries ago by scheduling the celebration of Christ’s birth to coincide with those pagan celebrations, just as they did with Easter.

The notion that the birth of Christ occurred on 25 December is challenged by many scholars and other traditions including the Eastern Christian churches, the Orthodox traditions, which celebrate Christmas in early January.

The insistence by some that we must say Merry (or Happy) Christmas, without acknowledging that non-Christians also celebrate significant events at this time harks back to nebulous “good old days” when the Raj was in full swing, the colonists were in full and absolute control and the Christian churches, particularly the Anglican tradition, were described, somewhat unkindly but fairly accurately, as the conservative political parties at prayer.

Wishing people “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” recognises that we all celebrate special events, whether religious, cultural or personal, in our own ways according to our own traditions.

It is respectful of our fellow citizens in a civil society.

I wish you all, whatever you celebrate and however you celebrate it, my very best wishes for the season.

In the words of the Irish blessing:

“May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life’s passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours.”

Cheers, Michael