It's that most wonderful time of the year again. Today I'm going to reveal my rebellious side on the issue of celebrating a unique event in a religiously correct manner. I'm talking about Christmas, of course, which for many people will mark the beginning of a week long holiday all the way to New Year's Day. And despite all the ground rules telling me to look at this Christian calendar in a true and reflective Christian perspective, I'm still going to celebrate it in full pagan style, as I've always done so in the past.
The meaning of Christmas, to me and I'm sure to the majority of people of different faiths in this country, is nothing without the Christmas tree, which happened to be have originated from Pagan traditions. In fact, this year I'm going to light up a red Xmas tree for my house party. Then, I'm going to do something crazy - I'll get myself drunk and volunteer to be Santa at the shopping complex. (Don't worry - I'm still a sober doctor). The reality is, if we try to take away the tree, the gifts (and giving), the caroling, the food and alcohol, the pre-Christmas shopping and Santa Claus, we don't have much to celebrate. It's like having a dead tree without the lighting.
Going back to history, the early Christians in Roman times chose to celebrate Jesus' birthday in Dec 25th although it coincided with the pagan holiday celebrating the birth of their Sun God. So, we shouldn't blame anyone for putting pagan elements into a Christian event. If we try to 'purify' this festival by extracting the worldly pagan themes, this attempt will fail. The commercialisation of Christmas has a long, long tradition, so much so that it has become sentimental to so many people. There wouldn't be Christmas if we do not hear Christmas tunes in the shopping mall.
No, I'm not trying to downplay efforts by the church to spread the true message of the Nativity. I'll still be going to church on Christmas Eve. My daughter will be performing in a High School Musical dance number (I think a lot of teens are into HSM nowadays) and I will enjoy singing the Christmas hymms. I am looking forward to the message from the pastor. Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to hear carollers singing contemporary Christian worship songs like 'Give Thanks' and 'In Christ Alone' instead of just the usual traditional carols at a popular crowded shoping mall. This, at least to me, shows true diversity and extraordinary tolerance in our multireligious society as we move forward and try to understand one another. At the same time, we showed the foreigners, the Western and Arabian shoppers who happened to be there, how different but harmonious we can be. You have to be there to appreciate the moment.
So I don't see what's all the fuss about not celebrating the meaning of Christmas. Many people outside the Christian faith however, tend to take Christmas as a time for shopping, partying and revelling. Let's not complain about it. In fact, since Christmas is rooted in non - Christian tradition, let all people from all faiths take this opportunity and come together to celebrate this occasion in the spirit of Muhibbah and with peace and joy in their hearts. Don't go home to your pity party this Christmas - let's share this together. Let us be one voice.
