Comments for sursumcorda.salemsattic.com/post/mammonalia

Comment #3436

2012-11-28T22:06:46Z

I understand the sentiment, but I'm afraid I'm not a fan of the procedure you propose. That the new festival name sounds like a biological class is a minor problem; the main problem in my opinion is that by claiming Christmas for Christians alone we exclude all others from the benefits historical Christianity has brought them. You can argue they've rejected their birthright, and I'd have to agree in principle, but so many vestiges remain that burning the bridge and demolishing the bridgehead seems neither charitable nor wise to me.

Or look at it differently. I think most readers who aren't Christians will object that they don't like the commercialism either, and that they do appreciate the spirit of giving (the meaning of Christmas according to the Berenstain Bears) or the family time or the hope of world peace. Try this: poll your facebook friends on whether they think Christmas is too commercialized - and watch the atheist responses roll in. Tarring all who aren't Christians with the same brush does us a disservice, I'm afraid.

Comment #3435

2012-11-28T14:14:22Z

Nice! How do your neighbors and your children's friends celebrate?

When my husband's family lived in the Netherlands, Santa came to them on Sinterklaas Dag (December 5/6) because that's when he came to their Dutch neighbors. But boy did they get flack from their fellow expat Americans who then had to explain to their own kids why Santa didn't come to them until December 24/25!

Comment #3434

2012-11-28T08:46:21Z

I've been telling my kids the feast of St. Nicholas is the 6th, and look at all these silly people who haven't checked their calendars and continue to parade St. Nick around well past his feast day.

I'd be happy with the name change for the secular holiday. Let's call a spade a spade.