The Reason for the Season

I love this time of year. That could be because I get most of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. That means that the typical annoyances of long shopping lines, limited gift selection, etc, never really come into view. Sure I have to deal with the crazy traffic and crowded malls, but in the grand scheme that is not a big deal. More often than not, I can kick back and enjoy the spirit of the season.

I was at a work-related Christmas party this week. When I wished a friend a hearty, "Happy Holidays" when he quickly quipped back, "It's 'Merry Christmas' to me--I'm not Jewish or Buddhist or any of that non-sense."

Admittedly, I was a little taken aback. The reason for the season, this person would most certainly point out is about: Jesus and a celebration of his birth. I would extend that to include a celebration of his life, encompassing his teachings of radical wisdom, compassion and an embracing acceptance of all. With that in mind, I do not think for a moment that Jesus would discount the spiritual paths of others in their own journeys of connecting to the Sacred, God. Nor do I think he would insist upon discounting their enjoyment of the holiday season in their own way.

I realize that John's language in his gospel points to Jesus claiming one path--one way in which only he can serve as the human-divine bridge. However, I agree with the numerous scholars who point to John's gospel as being greatly impacted by the reflections of the early Christian movement. As such, I think we should return to those radical wisdom teachings that are far more likely to mirror genuine Jesus and point toward compassion. Such a compassion leads me to respect all spiritual paths and to embrace people of all faiths. It allows me to learn from their faiths as well as the Christian faith of my youth. It gives me the true reason for the season: Love and compassion toward all.

Happy Holidays!