
<p>Before the lefties attack this commentary as the lament of a right-wing evangelical, I should disclose that I am not a very good Christian –sort of agnostic about the Christian view of eternity. ; But I am a BIG fan of Christmas as a Christian holiday of love. ; At this time of the year, I become just a wee bit less agnostic.</p>



<p>Christmas is a religious holiday celebrated by hundreds of millions of people across the globe. Whatever one’s view of Christianity, it is indisputably a religion that has had a dominant influence on mankind for a couple of millennia. ; It has arguably established the most social, moral, and legal codes directing modern mankind.</p>



<p>It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ – an itinerant preacher. ; Yes … Jesus was probably not born on December 25<sup>th</sup> and much of his life story may be apocryphal. ; Since he did exist – and since he did influence mankind to the extent he did – his birth is worthy of celebration even if the date is not exactly correct.</p>



<p>Christ and Christianity were fundamental to the creation of America, and Christmas has been an official National Holiday since 1870 &#8212; the only religious celebration to be so honored. ; While it is true that America has evolved into a more religiously diverse nation – largely due to the tolerance of Christianity – we need not negate or distract from Christmas’ religious roots or its influence on our Constitution and laws. ; ;</p>



<p>Some of the celebrations of Christmas is derived from Pagan ritual – such as Yule. ; But that should not give cause to recycle Christmas back into a neo-pagan festival of commercialism – essentially replacing the doctrine of love with a dogma of avarice. ;</p>



<p>The modern celebration of Christmas in America – apart from private religious adherences – has become a cold holiday celebrated more like the glittery promotion of Las Vegas.</p>



<p>As a child in Chicago, my family would make the annual pilgrimage to State Street to see the annual display of windows at Marshall Field’s, Carson Pirie Scott, The Fair and others. ; Through the public speaker systems, we heard the traditional songs of the holiday – religious songs to celebrate the religious holiday. There were moving images of Santa Clause in his workshop and depictions of families around a Christmas tree encircled by a toy train. Sometimes a series of windows displaying the conversion of Ebenezer Scrooge.</p>



<p>All the iconic images of the real Christmas – stars and angels &#8212; were to be seen in abundance. ; And at the end of the parade was the traditional Nativity Scene – with an angel hovering over a manger housing Joseph, Mary and the newborn Jesus. ; To one side a group of shepherds with part of their flock. ; And to the other side, three elegant men – one black – bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ;</p>



<p>No matter what was in the window, the universal theme was love. ; A moment in time for all of mankind to love one another. ; It was such a powerful message that even wars would stop on Christmas Eve with combatants breaking ranks to celebrate with each other.</p>



<p>But that is not the Christmas – the National Holiday &#8212; we celebrate today throughout America. ; The modern civic Christmas has stripped the holiday of its religious origins and meaning. ; A misguided interpretation of “separation of church and state” has been the cudgel to beat back the true meaning of Christmas – transforming it into a shallow celebration of shopping. ; Only Santa Claus has survived – as long as you do not refer to him as St. Nicolas. ; But gone are the stars and angels. ; And the iconic Nativity Scene that once graced the civic centers of every community in America is now banned.</p>



<p>The displays along State Street are now sterile creations appearing more like the work of a window dressers’ contest. Pretty colors and designs that do nothing to reflect the real Christmas. ; One year it was all about a popular book – Harry Potter. ; Another year it was about … snow. ; No Magi. ; No Shepherds. ; No baby Jesus. ; This year it was just pretty designs and colors.</p>



<p>It is not that I am a great Christian – as I confessed at the beginning of this commentary &#8212; but I am a great fan of the Christian Christmas. ; Not because I value Christianity above all other religions, but because I respect the meaning of the foundational holiday. ; I think it is worth celebrating in a human and civic sense.</p>



<p>The essence of Christmas can be celebrated without the decorations and the special carols and hymns. ; We can celebrate the tradition of love among humanity. ; But it is a lot easier when we take a moment in time to use the iconic symbols of the real Christmas to draw ourselves back into the greater meaning.</p>



<p>Whether it is a pendulum that will swing back, or America has lost the true meaning of Christmas forever, I do not know. ; But I do know that it is a pity that we have transformed the holiday into something even worse than those Pagan rituals that preceded Christmas. ;</p>



<p>When I wish a person Merry Christmas, I do not mean good luck in finding that expensive toy your kid wants.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

The end of Christian Christmas???
