Not So Hectic, Time to Think

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Good Times to All!

I recently got wind of the current American political debates going on among the talking heads of television news, and because I live beyond the borders, I feel like I can safely say, to those who celebrate it, Merry Christmas. To those who don't, I wish you a Happy Holiday Season inside the rush and tumble of this time of year. For some reason, this Christmas season I was much more sensitive to being wished a Merry Christmas than usual. Perhaps I felt wronged by people who assumed that because I am a foreigner I celebrate Christmas. Perhaps I wanted to disassociate myself with the forced Americanized holiday spirit. Living in a Muslim country cuts down on the canned sentiment, no doubt. Christians are a minority here, and the Coptic Christmas is not observed until January 7th, the day Copts believe to be the actual date of the birth of Jesus. The usual holiday carols and images that designate the holiday such as snowflakes, Father Christmas, and strings of lights were not around to influence my mood. To be wished a Merry Christmas seemed even more out of place than usual. Oddly enough, I felt even stranger telling someone, on the spot, after they have extended a greeting to me, that I did not partake in the holiday. I did not wish to begin a conversation about my personal history with religion or my upbringing. Living in a highly religious society, where religious practice is highly visible in the every day, chances are the person bestowing the sentiment identifies much more strongly with religion than I ever have. Why, then, would I even mention it? Political correctness, a motivating factor for sure, which I have come to know as a kind of right people use to tell other people they are wrong. After I thought about it, I do celebrate Christmas when given the opportunity. I have enjoyed numerous holidays with my Christian relatives and friends eating and exchanging gifts around the tree. And this year, I had a great time dining with the same folks I spent Thanksgiving. Does that mean I celebrate Christmas? Without getting into the differences between observing a religion and celebrating a socio-commercial holiday, I am satisfied to know that being wished a Merry Christmas can be as simple as wishing someone a good time. And good times should be had by all.