O fight, all ye faithful
Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/139725/
’Tis the season when even the most blasé
agnostic finds something special to fight about.
But the Christmas battles are so complicated this year that you may be reluctant to join. Don’t let that happen. Honor the season. To get in the holiday spirit, you just need to arm yourself with the answers to a few basic questions : Where is the War on Christmas being fought ? On many fronts. Retailers and politicians refer to fatally wounded evergreens as “holiday trees.” The White House has sent out cards wishing a happy “holiday season,” incurring the wrath of conservatives worried that secularists are “taking Christ out of Christmas.” And the White Witch has cast Narnia into perpetual winter without Christmas, an assault not only on Santa Claus but on ecosystems vulnerable to climate change.
Why do some Christians object to the term Holiday Tree ?
Because it hides the ancient link between the tree and Christianity, found in an original Christmas gospel :
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon shepherds abiding in the field, and the angel said unto them : “I bring you tidings of great joy. On this Christmas go forth and smite a mighty tree, a Norway spruce with pleasing boughs, and place it in your home, and adorn it with candles and red balls and strands of silver.”
And the shepherds were sore afraid and said unto the angel : “What is this spruce you speak of ? What is Norway ? Wouldst thou allow a small palm tree ?”
And the angel said : “Whatever. Only place on its highest point a star of gold, or, better yet, an angel.”
Please note, the angel did not call it a holiday tree.
Is that in the New Testament ?
No, but never mind where it comes from. That’s the kind of cynicism that’s ruining Christmas. As a matter of historical fact, people in the ancient Middle East did put greenery inside their homes in December.
To celebrate the birth of Jesus ?
The Egyptians put date palm leaves into their homes to celebrate the return of the sun at the solstice. Romans honored the god of farming with evergreens and gifts during the Saturnalia, their weeklong solstice festival.
Did the Romans say “Happy holidays !” to one another ?
No, the traditional greeting was, “Io, Saturnalia” (the first word was pronounced “yo” ), which meant roughly, “Ho, praise to Saturn.” Scholars suggest that the date of Christmas was picked in the fourth century to coincide with the Roman holiday.
Did Roman pagans complain that Christians were taking Saturn out of Saturnalia ?
Perhaps, but in those days there were no conservative all-news channels. The pagans in northern Europe must have complained about their traditional Yule solstice festival. Christians not only co-opted customs like burning a Yule log, but also turned Yule into a synonym for Christmas.
Why are today’s Christians having such a hard time holding on to Christmas ?
In some cases because of ridiculous political correctness, like not allowing the singing of traditional Christmas carols in public schools. But it’s mainly because they’re up against retailers who don’t want to offend their many non-Christian customers. That old seasonal admonition of good will to all means more sales.
So what’s the right greeting ?
If you want be safe—or sell anything—go with “Happy Holidays.” Otherwise, say anything you want.
What’s your choice ?
Yo, Saturnalia !