It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
Now here's a line I didn't expect to be writing any time soon:
I agree with Boris Johnson, Iain Dale and Tom Harris MP.
And I'll tell you why.
Boris is appearing at the GLA Christmas Carol Service - and apparently annoyed some of his staff by putting out a press release calling it just that - a Christmas Carol Service. Apparently the PC brigade in his office had it down as a "Multi-Faith Concert."I agree with Boris Johnson, Iain Dale and Tom Harris MP.
And I'll tell you why.
But that's not all. Apparently the Christmas Tree for City Hall has to have "no Christian symbols, colours or fairies... [no] political colours... [and] no star or fairy." A Christmas Tree devoid of anything that symbolises Christmas.
Now I accept that we now live in what could be described as a multi-faith society. And I'm all for making that easier for everyone - tolerance of each other for their different beliefs etc makes for a better society. But this is ridiculous.
Christmas IS a Christian holiday. There's no getting away from it. And if that offends people then they need to take a look at themselves and think about why they get up in the morning. Okay, historians will tell you that the date was half-inched from Pagans who had a celebration in late December and that a lot of what goes on - the trees, decorations etc - have also been taken from that holiday. But, at its base, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and a celebration of that. Whether you believe in God or not, whether you accept Christianity or not, the reality of the situation is that we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas if it were not for Christianity.
So when you are sitting on Christmas Day opening presents or eating your 17th sausage wrapped in bacon (a personal record!) remember why.
4 comments:
Thanks Malc, couldn't have put it better myself!
Ewan
If the date and much of the traditions now associated with Christmas were stolen from existing festivities as you rightfully state, then surely we would be celebrating 'christmas' under another name if it weren't for christianity? I defend my right to enjoy a good old mid-winter cheer-up without thinking of the baby Jesus, thanks very much!
Would we though Anon?
And of course you are at liberty to do so... it's what freedom of, well, everything is all about.
Given that almost every religion and non-religion has a festival at this time, then yes, we would have continued to celebrate had it not been hijacked by the dominant religion.
but don't worry, you're at liberty to think of jesus all you want ;)
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