As a child, I gazed with curiosity at the hanukkiah in the window of the local synagogue. I knew Jews celebrated the Festival of Lights; but all the Jews I knew celebrated a secular Christmas. (This was before Hanukkah went mainstream.) I’m embarrassed to admit that I never heard the story of the Macabees until I was thirty-something. My pastor’s wife, a Jewish Christian, brought sugar cookies shaped like Stars of David to Bible study one Hanukkah. That simple act of sharing sparked questions in my heart that changed the course of my life.
I believe that the key to Jewish and Christian harmony can be found in these simple acts of sharing our faith, sharing our culture, sharing our heritage. Holidays are a non-threatening way to share. At least, they should be.
You’d be surprised at the amount of hate mail I get. Most of the hate mail comes from Gentile Christians-turned-Messianic who try to convert both Christians and Jews to their brand of faith. They don’t like the holidays they grew up with, and they don’t want anyone else to like them, either. They take it upon themselves to go out of their way to stop the fun. One letter even decried the evils of “merry making”. I believe the expression is “LOL”.
I find spiritual meaning in both the celebrations of Hanukkah and Christmas. Both observances strengthen my faith in God and hope in mankind. But I’m OK with secular celebrations. I don’t feel compelled to make you believe my way.
If people from all faiths and no faith can come together for a season, give to the poor, love their families, dote on their children, and be a part of something bigger than themselves, does it really matter why? My faith is not dependent on whether or not a manger scene is erected on public property.
I wish that those people who choose to focus on division would look up and around and see the great unity of the holiday season. I wish they would use the opportunity to share what is good and loving about their faiths. Maybe try it just once. But even if they don’t, I plan to make merry.
Enjoy this great holiday video by Matisyahu!
See also: Dos and Don’ts for Interfaith December Dilemma
Filed under: Antisemitism, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, faith, Family, Hanukkah, Holidays, Interfaith Relations, Judaism, Messianic Judaism, Relationships, Religion Tagged: | celebrations, Chanuka, Christian, Christmas, Hanukkah, Holidays, interfaith, Jewish, Kathryn Frazier, menorah, Messianic, secular, synagogue, tolerance
Kathryn…your article is so right on and full of spiritual wisdom… God’s richest blessings on you this season of joy and celebration and commemoration of Yeshua’s birth. I can prove from the B’rit Hadasha that He was born in the fall during the Rosh Hashana feasts…but why tear down another’s traditions for the sake of being right? We simply celebrate our own way with family who believe in Christmas. Hate mail from others only show what is really in their hearts…
Sending love and cyber hugs!!
Mid
Mid- Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I encourage people to celebrate in their own way in their own situations.
St. Paul wrote, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2.
Sometimes, it takes an act of will to hold our tongues, but our love for God and for one another constrains us. Those who make this season their battleground have already lost the war, in my opinion.
Jesus only! Paul determined to know nothing in Corinth but Jesus Christ and him crucified.