The battle has obviously begun, same as every year. A few weeks before christmas, the Christians brush off the dust and start with their "Put the Christ back in Christmas!" Oh yeah, there we go again. Pagans trying to find the roots of Yule and defend their own celebrations, Christians getting upset about the consumerism and the rest of the world who will not go to church with them, and general holiday madness ensues.
We send out about 50 "seasonal greetings" cards each year - family and friends all over the world. And most years I try to make them myself. Now, how to meet everyone's demands? I really don't want to turn a simple greeting card into something that upsets anyone, no matter if they share my faith or not. Luckily, most people know about my poor taste. ^^
First of all, in Germany it is not that tough for me to wish anyone "Merry christmas". Because, of course, we do not say "Merry christmas", instead we say something along the lines of "Frohe Weihnachten!" And "Weihnachten" is derived from "holy/sacred nights" and blends fine with the Yule traditions, right? Nevertheless, some Pagans take offense in this saying, since it has been christianized over the centuries.
Then there is the problem with the Japanese - red may be a traditional christmas/Yule color in the Western countries, but I recently learned that you may not want to send anything with red on it to Japanese people as seasonal greeting, since obviously traditionally death notices are red in Japan. (Learn something new every day.)
And then there are the christians. I do know some devout christians, and one of my best friends is among them. Wouldn't want to offend them either, right?
This year, we decided to take one of the BF's pics from our cookie-baking session, make it into cards, and I will personalize every front and back according to the recipient's/recipients' taste. It doesn't kill me to wish one person "Merry christmas" (my very devout Christian Canadian family, for example) and tell the next Pagan to "Have a great Yule time!" or something like that. These cards are not about demonstrating my personal choice of faith to the world, they are about making the recipients happy. And I think I can do that. ^^
(In case you were wondering, there will be some poor plays on words as well, I simply cannot resist. Luckily, my family really does love me. And now, where are the silver and gold pens? There are cards waiting to be butchered.)
8 Kommentare:
That is a fantastic idea! I just wish everyone would adopt this approach to the holidays and to the concept of personal beliefs.
Around here the Christians are very upset that Christmas practices are not allowed in public schools. This comes to you from the same people who pressured schools to cancel any kind of Halloween celebration at school.
Karma is a bitch. Now, I am very in favor of religious tolerance, however, I am sick and tired of this crap, tired of hearing about it in the news, and fed up with this tug of war over the holidays. These people need to grow up. Spirituality is a very personal thing and not everyone will believe in the exact way as the next person even if they belong to the same religion. So why can't they just stop trying to force their beliefs on others and live and let live in peace. Isn't peace on earth what the holidays are about?
I only send out about 10 cards yearly, & I like to have a card with an evergreen tree on it. The verse inside is of secondary importance, to me. I'm thinking this year of getting rubber stamps & then adding a personal note to each.
As for Christians frothing at the mouth for Jesuse to be 'put back in': http://www.christiananswers.net/christmas/mythsaboutchristmas.html An Fb friend posted this page.
That's exactly the way I do it. I buy pretty generic "Happy Holidays" cards and add a personalized message every year to the recipient.
And I say "Happy Holidays" in the spirit of inclusion. It doesn't bother me if somebody says "Merry Christmas" to me, but I hope they don't get their panties in a wad that I'm a "Happy Holidays" sort of person. ;)
I haven't done cards for a long time. Mostly because I have problems writing by hand; My shoulder and hip alignment gets messed up and then I'm in pain.
I might make some this year (the Little Princess said she wanted to help). If not, everybody will get phone calls as usual.
The whole thing about whose holiday is the oldest or who does it belong to makes wince a little.
Seriously, that you put that much thought and care into your cards stuns me. Go you!
But also, it amazes me, the things that people choose to get offended about. Call me lazy, but that just takes too much effort! :)
In other news, "Frohe Weihnachten!" might have to be my new season's greeting. If only I knew how to pronounce it!
I totally "get it," believe me. My entire family and my hubby's as well are Christian. So every year, I celebrate Yule with my little Solitary group of friends (both men & women) and spend time with the families because they ARE MY family. As far as cards go, I always send the generic, "Happy Holidays" and "Best Wishes for the Holidays" to both Pagan and X-ian friends and family.
No complaints yet!
Kim
I'm sitting down to write my cards tonight (my feeble attempt at being organised) and I always enjoy the opportunity to keep in touch with my extended family and old friends. This year I've just bought a box of standard cards (normally I make them or choose a 'pagan' themed design) as time and funds were limited. I write a personal message inside for everyone regardless of what the printed message may say. I shall certainly have no problem wishing my catholic step-children and their extended family a Merry Christmas, especially as in turn I know they will wish us a Happy Solstice. (and yes I know I'm very lucky -and very proud- that they are all so understanding).
Wow, now I didn't know the thing about red in Japan. Good to know. I don't know anyone who is Japanese, which is odd, but I'll file that away in my memory stores for later!
Frohe Weihnachten!
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