You're History....

An open letter…

I can’t help but think about certain things this time of year.

Things like turkey, presents and family.  There are many thoughts that pass through my three and a half pound nerve center as the air becomes cold and the colors of the leaves change dramatically.

One thought is “why celebrate?”  I am not attempting to be negative or critical, only wishing to stop for a moment and apply reason to a sentimental time of year.  I do not see this as counterproductive but, instead, valuable to enriching the experience of these wonderful holidays.

Why do we celebrate these holidays this time of year?  I think for most, it is a tradition.  It has meaning in the gathering of those we love and the giving of part of ourselves.  I’m not sure how many of us can actually relate to this.  But there is not one of us who do not see the great traditions of this time of year as enjoyable or meaningful.  Which takes me back to the question, “why celebrate?” I mean, really, why does this time of year have meaning?

A few of you are already jumping to the answer.  Please give me a few more minutes and I hope we arrive at the same destination. 

As with most of our holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas are steeped in historic meaning.  They are not just a date on the calendar.  As a matter of fact, although we set aside a date to commemorate them, the date may not be the same as the original event.  It need not be for the celebration to have meaning.  A day is a day.  But, when that day is steeped in a momentous event, it becomes significant.  Which takes me back to the original question, “why celebrate?” Just why does this time of year have significance?

It’s simple.  Because of history.  Without the history behind the holiday there would not be a holiday.  In elementary school I was taught that the pilgrims arrived in the new land we now call the United States.  To celebrate that pivotal moment, they had a feast.  We now call it Thanksgiving that turkey filled holiday we celebrated just a few weeks back.

It is the same for Christmas, except this is where it gets tricky.  For some reason we have tried to denounce and undermine the idea that Christmas is about “Christ”, in spite of the name.  It is not some holiday made up by a fat guy with a bunch of elves making toys in a subzero climate on the far ends of our planet.  Why is it so hard to just say it?  To say it doesn’t mean you hold to everything that has to do with the historic background of the event.  Have some courage; admit it is about a child in a manger.  His arrival is the reason for the celebration.  Let’s say it out loud.  No Christ, no Christmas.  Again, you don’t have to agree with the historical purpose of the person to admit their life actually existed. 

Christmas is a holiday based around the birth of a child whose life was so significant that we have celebrated it ever since.  Don’t like the idea?  Well let me suggest it may be because of the miscommunication of some of the Christ Child’s followers.  Don’t let them get in your way.  Since it is a reality, and Christmas is about this historic event, take some time this holiday to ask yourself the question “what do you think of Christmas?”  Or even return to my initial thought, “why celebrate?”  Keep from falling back on answers that deny the Christ Child.  Try to take time and understand that the entire idea behind gift giving and cheer is due to the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.

Oh and by the way, this is only the first holiday that celebrates the babe in a manger.  The other is in the spring and focuses on that same child, about thirty-three years later, on a cross that stood atop a hill. 

Before my final words, let me take away a concern some of my friends have had but I have no fuss over, I don’t freak out over Santa or the Easter Bunny.  They may be add ons others worry about, but again, without the history, no need for add ons.

Let’s finish where we started.  “Why celebrate?”.  This letter is my open invitation: come closer.  Discover the historic reason for the holidays.  He may just change your answer.  He may just change your life.