Holiday Confusion Resolved

It didn't used to, but Christmas confuses me these days. I get confused whether I should wish someone "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." Whether I should wish for world peace or for the avalanche beacon I've been coveting? Whether I should make donations to charities or buy more stuff for my loved ones?

Growing up my sister and I would tramp out back to pick out our Christmas tree. We'd crane our necks back and try to figure out if the top 10 feet would look good in our living room. Then we'd throw snowballs at one another while Dad would go back and forth with his buck saw. Once he topped it, we'd stumble back to the house to get Mom, who would always have the final say. If she shook her head, we'd choose another one, and Dad would have to get back to sawing. One year we felled three trees before finally finding one that Mom liked.

But now I know that trees provide us with oxygen and stabilize the soil and that wasting trees is environmentally irresponsible.

Growing up I loved listening to carols, and my all-time favorite was "Silent Night." The lyrics were hauntingly simple, and when sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on our stereo or by my mother while she was baking gingerbread men, the ethereal sounds of the hymn used to lull me to sleep dreaming of "heavenly peace."

But now I know that "Silent Night" is specifically a Christian hymn and celebrates the birth of an exclusive god.

Growing up we used to spread flour over the hearth, and we'd put out milk and gingerbread men so Santa would have enough energy to finish his rounds. In the morning, Santa would have finished off the food and left his boot tracks in the flour; he would have stuffed our stockings full (eggnog for me, olives for my sister) and left a kaleidoscope of presents under the tree.

But now I know that there is no Santa Claus, that he is a myth, a combination of Christian saint, Germanic folklore, and American merchandising.

It seems as though I used to know a lot more about Christmas than I do now . . . but even though I may be confused, I still love this time of year.

I love the Holiday-Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanzaa season because it makes children want to be good, and it brings out the good in adults. It's a wonderful time of the year because under the trees (whether they're real or fake) are presents from those who enjoy giving, because the holiday songs (religious hymns or secular favorites) inspire, and because Santa (whether he comes in a sleigh or a white Hummer) brings with him presents for all.

The beauty of this season - regardless of what you call it and how you observe it - is that its essence transcends culture, national boundaries, and religion. I love this season because it is a celebration of all that is good in all of us.

So Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Best Wishes to you and yours.

--Steve McKibben
12/24/06