Christmas Money, by Martha Thomases – Brillilant Disguise

December 3, 2011 Martha Thomases 19 Comments

Because there’s an election next year (and there was one last year, and even this year in a few places), everything has to be politicized.  Everything has to be a contest, where one side wins and, therefore, one side loses.  For the last several years, the most seasonal victim of this trend is Christmas.

For some people, Christmas is an economic opportunity, either to make a lot of money or to spend a lot of money.  For others, it’s a chance to gather with family and friends, using love and companionship to warm the soul on a cold, dark night.  

And, for some, it’s a religious occasion, to celebrate their faith and hope for redemption.  Good for them.  As long as they celebrate like Americans – privately, or at least with consideration for those who believe differently – I’m happy for them.

However, if one is going to insist on a religious celebration in a secular setting (which is what Christmas is, after all, once it leaves your home and your church), then one should at least be honest about what that religion celebrates.  If one has manners, one might go the extra step and find common ground with those who have other beliefs.  For example, I’m not a Christian, but, as someone raised a Jew, I share the obligation to be charitable (tzedakah).  This is something that’s also important to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, pagans, and quite a few atheists.  

Using our cash and our energies to help those less fortunate is something we can do as a community, as we see here.  It’s a much better than using those same forces to divide us by demonizing others, as seen here.

Maybe I read a different New Testament, but I don’t think those people are truly Christian.  And, if I were a Christian, I’d be making a lot of noise telling them so.  Even the so-called Old Testament, generally considered to be less forgiving, spends remarkably little time telling people who to have sex with compared to the amount of time it tells us what to eat and what to wear.  And that’s a small fraction of the instruction to be grateful for this life and to take care of each other.

I hope you have great holidays.  I hope the preparations don’t make you crazy.  I hope you have enough money to spend on fabulous gifts for those dear to you.  And if you have any left over, I hope you’ll consider some tzedakah of your own, for those who can use a little faith.

Martha Thomases, Media Goddess, has a very short wish list this year, and hopes to one day want more.