Leave it to Christians to be the most un-sane during the Christmas season. I mean, 'Jesus is THE reason for the season' so we, as Christians, should be the most sane? We have THE reason. Right?
The premise of Jesus being 'the reason for the season' is completely ridiculous. The reason for it being called a 'season' in the first place is because numerous holidays occur during this same one month-ish period.
A good question to ask, then, is why do several holidays call the time around the darkest day of the year their home? Because during the literally darkest days of the year we need non-literally light in our lives. Here comes the Jesus sermon, right? NO. I mean, sure, as a literary device it could make a nice sermon device. But just as a literary device, not as an actual reason. We do need light through fun and celebration and things to look forward to during days like these.
In the Old Testament we see that God set up different times for His people to work and also to celebrate. Holidays and festivals are very Biblical. When they occur isn't really. We aren't in the Old Testament living under the Law. The Christian church has used the principles given in the OT, of celebration, to 'create' the holiday of Christmas. Christians did this when everyone wants to have something else to do because it's so dreary outside*. So instead of celebrating pagan holidays we celebrate Christmas: Christ's birth.
The Bible is not clear regarding when Jesus was born. Sure, there are several educated guesses, and very few of those guesses put the date on the winter solstice. But, since we don't know, and the Bible doesn't feel the need (ahem, God doesn't) to actually tell us, I think we don't need be strict regarding it.
On another note, we do know when Easter is. Jesus was crucified after the week of Passover. Currently our calendars are not the same as were used at that time, but we can get fairly close. And we know it was in the spring. God seemed to want us to know this. Easter should always be celebrated then.
All this to say, don't freak out because Christmas is in December. Whatever. Also, don't freak out if people say "Happy Holidays". It IS a holiday season. More than one holiday occurs during this season, even for us Christians. I celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. If I were Canadian I'd celebrate Boxing Day. Well, maybe not...I have no idea what that is, I just know it exists.
If a someone tells me I cannot say "Merry Christmas" that is annoying, if they tell me I also can't say "Happy Hanukkah" and "Happy Kwanzaa", it's equally as annoying. But at least they are consistent. If someone tells me the only thing I CANNOT say is related to Christmas, then, yes, it is offensive. That situation is the only time we can stand up and shout that it is WRONG. None of these other reasons are reasons to shout. It just makes us look silly. I think some sanity and peace will go a long way during what we erroneously call 'our season.' No reason to overreact to issues that are not really issues at all.
So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay safe and warm during this cold and dark time of the year.
*This argument is fallible because in the southern hemisphere it is summer. But only 10% of the world population lives in the southern hemisphere. A better argument, would be, that most of the population lives close enough to the equator or in a climate that doesn't see drastic shifts in weather or daylight/darkness. But, the areas with the most influence culturally in both the East and West do.
**Also, I didn't footnote or link to anything to prove these points. Please people, it's all completely logical.
