This Blog thing just doesn’t seem to be working out on too much of a frequent basis… But like a good friend, meeting after an extended period of absence you’re not hung up on the time apart but rather on playing catch up.
It’s that time of year when all the silliness and the revelry begins. I am in the mood, I have been in the mood for weeks now and I plan on staying in the mood all the way up until my birthday one month after the fact. That’s a lot of good times.
At my workplace the ratio of Christians : Heathens is actually 1:1… I am not sure what that implies but I sure hope that it doesn’t mean that you’re going to need Jesus extensively to be able to make it through each day here (there’s a story here but I will save that for another time).
Anyway, 75% of the Christians are Jehovah’s Witnesses (oi vey) … and in case you’re not aware, Birthdays and Christmas are big NO NOs for them. So our End of Year Festivities at the office from hence forth will be referred to as the “Holiday” activities. LOL
So one of the Witnesses I admire the most gave me this excerpt to read from one of their Watch Tower booklets. Essentially the reasons they don’t celebrate these superfluous occasions aren’t entirely so bad when I think about it. I can see where they’re coming from.
For instance… why only recognize that someone was born and that they’re special to you and give them obligatory gifts only once per year? Point taken. But for me, I use Birthdays as just another reason to spend time with the people I love and to treat them. Sometimes you get caught up with other aspects of life and at least you can play catch up on a dedicated day. What if you practice appreciation of the person all year ‘round? Then is it so wrong to do it also on their birthday cuz it’s their personal day? The day they came into existence. We should thank God for that day and thank God for giving them to us on that day. Doesn’t mean we’re going to forget them the rest of the year… it’s just that that day is THEIR special day.
Christmas. Pagans worship their Gods on special days and so Witnesses think that if we do the same we’re emulating pagan-like tendencies. Plus, we should put more emphasis on His death since it’s through the shedding of His blood that we can inherit Eternal Life. Also, December 25 isn’t even His real birthday anyway. And worldly people have commercialized that time of year. Alright… I would be biased if I didn’t admit that it is thought provoking for me why we know for sure what days to celebrate His Death and Resurrection on at Easter time yet still it remains a mystery – almost as if there is some divine plan to deliberately hide it from us even though we can surmise – and we are not sure when exactly He was born.
If our Holiday festivities include more emphasis on Family, Love and the fact the He was Born, is it wrong in the eyes of Jehovah/God? They say that the most depression happens around this time of year but what about people like me who are happy? Maybe the people who get depressed are misguided by what they expect to get from the holidays rather than realizing the true meaning of it all. So you don’t have a lot of money for gifts – give something from the heart or give your time. Wouldn’t that make God happy? Doesn’t it make us feel good having family around? There are people who find religious symbolism in the event – the lights everywhere reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World. And if all of that is at the core… what makes it so wrong?
He must have been Born in order to Die and ultimately be Resurrected. And if Pagans can put out so much for their many gods why can’t we do something to express ourselves in the way which is the cornerstone of Christian principles – Love.
It’s really funny though. I hear that when they used to call the End of Year activities at my office “Christmas Luncheon” or whatever it would never be supported by the Witnesses. But a simple change in name “Holiday Luncheon” has them all there and caught up in the cheerfulness of the occasion. Go figure…
I don’t feel convicted by enjoying Christmas. I love this time of year. More people are pleasant. The weather’s great! It should be Christmas everyday – a Holy-Day.
1 comment:
Know what's funny? I am one of those who advocate the banning of 'special days' in favour of EVERY day being a special day. But I am no witness.
Most of my close friends will tell you that I give when I feel moved to - whether it is Christmas, birthdays or just the odd Monday. :-)
Incidentally, I am convinced that MY birthday means more to my parents than it does to me anyway - so if ANYone is going to celebrate it, it's them. Not me.
Anywho - I always get affected by the change in weather this time of year. Cool weather places me in the best of moods for some odd reason. Not promising you I'm going to be participating in the typical holiday festivities, but I am more likely to tell you a fond and festive 'Good Morning' this time of year.
With that said.... a VERY VERY Happy Holidays - before, between and beyond - to you. :-)
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