“Happy Holidays!” “Merry Christmas!” “Season’s Greetings!” Do those words sound innocent to you? Don’t be misled- these may be fighting words for some during this holiday season. December and January are full of religious festivals across the world. In our diverse society, the person you meet on the street may not be celebrating like you do. OMG! Yes, pun intended. What do we say to greet one another without starting a riot?
Hi friends, I’m LP your host for Tracks for the Journey. The holidays bring us many opportunities to mix with others. Our words can make a difference when diverse opinions abound. In this episode let’s explore ways our journey of faith can build solidarity and well-being for everyone.
One of my duties when I led the Chaplain’s Department at a large hospital was the creation of a monthly religious calendar. The calendar listed and described the faith observances of 12 major religious groups. I sent it to the Department Directors of this 3,000-employee healthcare system. The intention was to make leaders aware of the wonderful faith heritages among their employees and patients.
The world of Jesus was a world filled with many religions, deities, and rituals, just like today. In her book, Ancient Christianities, Paula Fredericksen says of the Roman Empire, “Empire accommodated a numberless population of gods, worshiped according to the various inherited traditions of different ethnic groups… Religious diversity was a simple fact… for the most part, a practical religious pluralism prevailed.”[1]
The unknown author of the Gospel of John retold the story of Jesus decades after Jesus lived. He described Jesus navigating his diverse world with love and respect for all people. In the encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria, he bridged the religious, gender, and ethnic divide to offer this woman validation for her faith and a path of unity that spanned the gulf between them. In the first verse of the Gospel, the author links this attitude to the nature of God. He wrote of the divine Logos, the Word, touching all people. This common philosophical term referred to the creative, universal energy of the supreme God which works in humanity.[2] The Gospel of John begins by recognizing that every person is a enlivened by the same energy of God that brought Jesus to the first century world. “All things came into being through the Logos… in the Logos was life, and the life was the light of all people.”[3]
Across America now we find a diversity of religious affiliations. Protestants number about 150 million, unaffliated and no faith 76 million, Catholics 66 million, Jews 7 million, Mormons 6 million, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists each 4 million, and all other faiths 10 million. In other words, one-third of Americans don’t believe in observing “Merry Christmas.” When you walk the streets of your community, you will encounter people who carry a holiday spirit with many different names.
The months of December and January are filled with religious observances. We should be informed about these in our pluralistic country.
December 8 is Bodhi Day for Buddhists. The holiday remembers the day that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment many centuries ago. Special prayers and acts of kindness are common in families. “Budu saranai” and "May the peace of the Buddha be yours” are good greetings.
December 21is the winter solstice and brings Wiccan observances for the return of the sun’s warmth with logs, altar decorations, and the promise of new life.
December 25, Christmas Day, is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Special services and gift giving carry the joy of the incarnation. By the way, this date was not recognized by believers for more than 300 years after Jesus lived. Another 600 years would flow by before Catholic rituals gave it significance. The Orthodox Churches of eastern Europe don’t use December 25 but instead have used January 7 for their celebration since the 3rd century. The non-religious or Humanists find celebrations with family, giving, and cultural icons hold meaning on this day.
December 26 is the beginning of Kwanzaa, a seven-day cultural celebration of African heritage and values. It began in 1966 and has spread worldwide. Heri za Kwanzaa!” is Swahili for “Happy Kwanzaa!”
December 26 is the first day of Hanukkah this year. Jews worldwide observe this to remember the victory of Jewish armies in 164 BCE and the miracles of faith today. Lighting the Menorah shines the light of hope. “Happy Hanukkah” offers a positive greeting.
January 1 is a holiday that transcends all religious differences with the prayers, hopes, and resolutions for what the next year can be. Who doesn’t smile with the anticipation found in the greeting of “Happy New Year!”
January 14 is the Hindu celebration of Pongal, reflecting gratitude for the Sun God ending the winter season. “Happy Pongal” is the English greeting to honor this day.
Not everyone is comfortable with honoring the faith of others. Several years ago, fundamentalist Christians publicized their great offense at the phrase, “Happy Holidays.” Bumper stickers announced, “Keep Christ in Christmas,” to thwart the alleged secular conspiracy. It was interesting that these sincere believers felt they could proclaim what they believed while denying the voice of others who didn’t share the conviction. Interesting and a bit arrogant, as well.
In contrast, Process Christian theology teaches that each human is interconnected as one, single humanity. Indeed, all things are linked together. Energy is exchanged between all elements and organisms, connecting everything together in mutual relationship. Life is a relational matrix of interdependent entities, organisms, and social connections that shape every experience. God is a part of this universal network. Denis Edwards asserts, “In their very different ways every creature, whether it be an insect, a tree, or a star, exists only in a network of relationships. We live in a radically interrelated universe.”[4] There is only a tiny genetic difference between me, you, Taylor Swift, and the chief of the Yanomami tribe along the Amazon. And to the God who has known every Hominoid for 400,000 years, there is no difference at all. We are one, connected in a solidarity that cannot be denied.
Even more exciting, God has been communicating in love to billions of humans around the planet for all these millennia. In response to God, untold numbers of languages have spoken some name for the Divine. With dance, sacrifice, prayer, tradition, or buildings people like us have crafted their systems of faith to connect to God. Humankind longs to link with the eternal. To honor the way God’s love and human longings are expressed today lifts up the God whose love embraces every human being.
No one betrays their faith by respecting the faith of their neighbor. Looking beyond our own beliefs to extend words of love and grace offers a beautiful act of love and solidarity. Here are some ideas. Take time to find a greeting card to mail to a friend of a different faith, with a note of encouragement. Or drive past your regular place of worship to step into a different one to experience life from a new perspective. Or invite a small group of neighbors for a mixer and offer a safe place to share their religious holiday. It’s important to remember that millions of Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists have been caught in terrible wars. Donating to a relief organization with a prayer for peace provides a meaningful way to celebrate the Christian hope of “Peace on Earth.” You could even try a bit of Hebrew, Mandarin, Hindi, or Parsi and share a courteous greeting with someone. Maybe “Enjoy your holiday!” is a good attempt in a world of diversity and faith.
I guarantee our coworkers, neighbors, and relatives have their personal opinions of faith that are different. Acting in love, humility, and respect is always the best way to honor the God who loves all people. Love transcends all the religious diversity in a universal language.
“Enjoy your holiday, everybody!”
Thanks for sharing these few minutes on Tracks for the Journey. You can find more resources and subscribe to the newsletter on the website, TFJ.com. Your donation is appreciated on buymeacoffee.com/larrypayne.
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Keep exploring on your Journey to well-being!
[1] Paula Fredericksen, Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years. Princeton University Press, 2024. P 61
[2] Fredericksen, p 117-119
[3] John 1:3-4 paraphrase
[4] Denis Edwards, “A Relational and Evolving Universe,” in In Whom We Live and Move and Have Our Being. Wm B. Eerdman’s Publishing, 2004, p 205
