I am so old that I can remember when it was possible to greet someone at this time of year and wish them a hearty “Merry Christmas”. Of course, with my Jewish friends, I would change the greeting to a “Happy Hanukkah”. While on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur, I also learned that the proper way to greet my new Muslim friends on Hari Raya was “EI-d muba-rak”.
It was a time when there was sufficient respect for each other and for the various faith-based celebrations that offense was not taken, nor intentionally given. The spirit of good will was intended, and as a consequence, it was shared.
Today, we seem to have migrated to such an extremely bland attitude that we offend no one because we stand for nothing. The faith-based meanings for the season - whether to celebrate the end of a the Ramadhan fast, the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple and the wonder of oil lasting eight days, or the birth of the child Jesus - is lost.
The “Happy Holidays” greetings that are used to offend no one distance us from the faith-based peace, joy, and gratitude that should be hallmarks of the season for everyone. Instead, the season has become subverted to retail shopping, compulsory gifts, and tension-filled days.
Perhaps, if we were to return to a period of recognition of, and respect for, the various religions found within the many families of mankind, we could realize more of their benefits. All we would have to do is become a bit incorrectly “PC”.
“Merry Christmas” “Happy Hanukkah” “EI-d muba-rak”