this is a tapestry in the wall of the sanctuary where we had an in person Christmas service and communion tonight.
a few years ago, there was a young associate in the office who sent out an email announcement regarding an event where he intentionally, albeit playfully put an understrike on the word Christmas and replacing it with the word holiday, noting that the word is no longer relevant and should never be used. i am not by any means a die hard religious but having been raised Catholic and a converted Christian, and having read the Bible and full translations of the Quran and the Jewish book, along with other books in Hinduism and Buddhaism, i felt extremely slighted. so slighted to the point that i wrote an email to him with a copy to personnel saying that Christmas is a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; and that while i agree that all religions should be celebrated and if they want to be celebrated at the same time as the Christmas season, there is no reason to disrespect Christmas, after all everybody benefits from this celebration in that they look forward to the festivities as well as being off from work. i lived in the sultanate of oman for a number of years and my muslim friends would greet me 'merry Christmas' as well as other friends from other religions.
it was also in the same year when it was announced by our city hall that the Christmas tree will now be called a holiday tree. well, did they get a lot of negative feedback and protest from people and the city back tracked on that decision.
the young associate, meanwhile, apologized after i further pointed out that the principle of politically correctness works both ways. i never liked his cocky attitude and whenever i saw him around the office, i won't even look at him or acknowledge him. he has long left the office.
A holiday tree! what a load of nonsense!
I agree with your perspective Vikki - there are similar trends here in NZ.. I'm a lapse Catholic and in recent years moves to do things such as removing nativity scenes in the fear that they might offend someone. Being inclusive isn't about denying others their beliefs. And like it or not most people benefit from having paid statutory holidays over Christmas. Good luck to anyone living in a muslim country suggesting that Ramadan should be called something else. When colleagues or friends celebrate Dwali similar we join in
Happy Christmas to you too. Love you you and yours.
I love this photo and the way you have chosen to frame it.
I agree with your perspective Vikki - there are similar trends here in NZ.. I'm a lapse Catholic and in recent years moves to do things such as removing nativity scenes in the fear that they might offend someone. Being inclusive isn't about denying others their beliefs. And like it or not most people benefit from having paid statutory holidays over Christmas. Good luck to anyone living in a muslim country suggesting that Ramadan should be called something else. When colleagues or friends celebrate Dwali similar we join in