Silent Night

As Christmas approaches, here in the USA, we can expect to hear a number of familiar sounds. There are carols we know by heart, the ones we've sung since we were old enough to copy the phrases. Instantly, they carry us back to grade school performances, standing up in our stiff and scratchy finery before a sea of parents' proud faces. We hear new renditions of old favourites and songs we may not know that carry the unmistakable tone of Christmas just the same. Add to this the sound of bells. The full and resonant clangs of the charity collector's bell accompanied by seasonal greetings and thanks are a signal that the holiday is near. If you're lucky, a bell choir or the bright jingle of sleigh bells will tickle your ears and put you in a holiday mood. Crunching footfalls in the snow, children's laughter, and cheery "Merry Christmas" wishes will conjure Christmas in nearly any American's heart.

Unfortunately, grumbling has been added to the list of holiday sounds. I suppose it was unavoidable, and maybe it's nothing really new. Sometimes people have a need to pick at the edges of things, to turn them over and look for the flaws whether real or imagined. Perhaps I was too young and too caught up in the magic of the season to notice the complaining until recently.

It starts early. As soon as the first decorations go up, the first Christmas merchandise appears on the store shelves, the first carols roll from the radio speakers, there are complaints of inappropriate timing. True, the blinking lights and plastic reindeer look a little out of place before Thanksgiving. A deflated inflatable Santa lying in a puddle on a muddy brown autumn lawn seems to be pining for lack of his natural snowy habitat, but should it be a cause for anger? No. Are the early celebrants committing some indiscretion? No. Bless them for their eagerness for a time we associate with joy.

As the days roll on, we hear complaints about the rush, the crowds, the traffic. All the world seems to be in motion, bustling and pressured. Everyone is focused on their separate goals, trying to meet the obligations of the holiday. Often, we feel impatient with it because we, too, are trying to get somewhere or complete our own list of obligations. Frustration bubbles up, and the grumbling only adds to it. Take a breath. Smile even if you don't feel like it (maybe especially because you don't.) You will be surprised how transformative that simple action can be. You can't always control the circumstances you find yourself in, but you can control how you react to those circumstances. Take a moment to watch the world around you. All those busy people are swirling in their own holiday preparations, hopeful (though they may lose sight of it in the moment) for good things ahead- time with family, smiles and joy, even just a moment's rest. Wish them the happiness they crave and smile. The peace of mind will improve your mood and your smile may also remind others of why they're bustling about. Even false cheer has a way of growing warm and real when you embrace it.

Commercialization is another common complaint. Often this is most bitterly condemned by those who feel pressure to buy gifts for every person in their life. People spend a lot of money at Christmas, but doing so isn't necessary. We often think it's our obligation to do so, spending on gifts, cards, or decorations, but this is always a choice. Try stepping off that wheel for a while if you find the material aspect distasteful. Your loved ones will understand your choice if they know you well. If they don't, this is a perfect opportunity to share that side of you. Rather than complain, inform your friends and family that you will be putting your focus on spending time with them this year, or serving others through charity or volunteerism, or any other activity that suits you. Then do it. You have the power to make the holiday season what you want it to be. Traditions are fine, but unconventional celebrations are healthy, too.

For those who enjoy the shopping and gift giving, there's no need to feel bad about commercialism, either. Plenty of people benefit from the practice. Shop owners, employees, factory workers, all profit directly or indirectly from each sale, and they are all people with families who depend on that income to live their lives. The recipients of your gifts are certainly cheered by them, though the giving rather than the object is likely to be the primary reason. As long as your motives are positive, and you don't allow the sense of obligation or materialism to take over, there is no reason you should be made to feel unworthy by those who prefer less commercialism in their holiday. There are many different ways of expressing the Christmas spirit, and we should all be tolerant of others' expressions.

The final point I'll cover here is a complaint that's had a surprising surge recently and one that is very personal to me. Over and over, I hear the comment that Christmas has become too secular. It's said that Christ has been forgotten in celebrations that focus on Santa or by people who wish you "seasons greetings" or "happy holidays" rather than "merry Christmas." Christmas, it is mourned, is degenerating from its "true" meaning. It is being taken over or controlled by this secular practice or is in danger of being stamped out entirely by non-Christian elements. Nothing could be more ridiculous.

Anyone familiar with history and/or religion could tell you that this holiday celebration is not just a Christian thing. The pagan beginnings are obvious, and reflections of similar holidays in other cultures abound. We all look to the coming of the light in the depth of winter. We all hope to find the light in mankind's darkness as well. But even if you are firmly Christian and believe that Christmas is the actual birthday of Christ, why the venom? Look at the examples of his character in biblical stories, and ask yourself if he would be anything but overjoyed that people of all stripes were celebrating his birthday by spending time together, singing, devising special surprises for their children, and spreading cheer in their communities. I can't imagine him being so egotistical that he would demand devotion focused on him alone every December 25. Instead, he would see all the positive energy and bless it all. We should do the same.

I am, proudly, a pagan, but the celebration of Christmas is something I look forward to every year. There is a special place in my heart for the Christmas carol, and I sing along with all of them, secular and religious alike. I display a creche, or nativity, during the season, and I love the story and the symbols even as I am aware of all that history that points away from a literal truth. What's not to love about the concept of God in man? What's not to love about a holiday that hopes for peace on earth and goodwill toward men? There are opportunities and encouragement to help your fellow man. The stage is set to reconnect with friends and family. We can see a brightness in the human spirit and a willingness to give, to help, to love. From a pagan perspective, Christmas is like one giant spell with the aim of bringing mankind a little closer to the bliss we can achieve in our purest state.

If we can silence our grumbling and pay attention to the other sounds of Christmas, the magic is that much clearer. If we can respect one another's celebrations and tune ourselves to the joy that the season can bring, we are a step closer to making the goal manifest. So, I wish you blessings as you approach this holiday, and I hope you find the celebration that suits you best. This happy pagan will always wish you Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.