Day-off Day

I want to apologize to a friend. I told him that I would have something posted by last night, but I failed. I apologize for my sloth.

Christmas is coming up in a few days. This is an interesting time for non-Christians. They have to figure out how to justify celebrating a holiday whose official meaning has no meaning for them. For Christians, Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ and the advent of a renewed relationship between God and Humanity, one steeped in humility, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness. People exchange gifts to mark both the New Covenant, consecrated by the gift of Jesus, and as a re-enactment of the Magi's gifts to Jesus.

So, if that's what the holiday really "means," then can non-Christians really celebrate it? Perhaps Christmas has sort of outgrown its religious boundaries, becoming more of a mid-winter celebration of good things. Well, not perhaps...it most certainly has. Most families exchange gifts, whether Christian or secular (and Jews, of course, have the Hannukah, which I can't spell). Most people get the day off, whether Christian or secular.

So, what does this holiday mean for non-Christians? Maybe we should see it as a Pagan solstice ceremony, complete with bacchanalian orgies. Or, maybe we can just say that it's "Niceness day," where we celebrate people who are nice to each other, like that fella Jesus. Or Family Day...

Or, maybe, like Labor Day, Christmas for non-Christians is really just "Day-Off Day." It's just Day-Off day with a tree and lights and presents. Yeah, I think I'll just call Dec. 25, "Day-Off with New Stuff Day."

Merry Day-Off with New Stuff day everybody!