To me, the notion of a War on Christmas is really kind of silly. Do I believe the ACLU and others are deliberately "out to get Christmas?" No, but I do think Christmas is just too big for them to ignore. Right now, I see two sides to Christmas, the spiritual and the secular. There is no "wall of seperation between the two, but there is a distinct flavor to both. Many times this season, I feel much like Charlie Brown. Can't anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

Beyond Christmas specials and movies like Christmas Vacation and White Christmas (the viewing of both are traditions in my house), and the slightly bizzare It's A Wonderful Life, which really has nothing to do with Christmas except that it takes place around that time, as those who know me may predict, I turn to history to find what the spirit of Christmas is all about.

Of course, there is Washington crossing the Delaware into Trenton in a surprise Christmas attack, and bringing victory to an army about to fall apart in a week (troop reenlistments had to be done on the 31st, and before Trenton, Washington did not think most would return). For me, however this is not a great example of Christmas spirit, though though I feel the example does come during war. Christmas of 1914, right at the begining of World War I. The History Channel:

On and around Christmas Day 1914, the sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding fade in a number of places along the Western Front in favor of holiday celebrations in the trenches and gestures of goodwill between enemies.

Starting on Christmas Eve, many German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man's-land, calling out "Merry Christmas" in their enemies' native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers.

Wikipedia:

The Christmas Truce has often been characterized as the last "twitch" of the nineteenth century: the last moment when, in war, two sides would meet each other in proper and mutual respect for one another; when they would greet each other with kindness to show that—in spite of the horrible turn of events that had unfolded—they were still honorable and respectful soldiers of war.

That is what the spirit of Christmas is all about.

Posted by Ryan S. on Thursday, December 22, 2005 at 10:22 AM | Permalink |