I run into awkward situations sometimes where folk from other religious backgrounds wish me a Merry Christmas!
James, Antonio and Doug,
My essential learning is that a visit almost any congregation, (while the preacher or sermonizer is out), and you’ll get a warm welcome as most are imbibed with openness to the stranger, love, compassion, charity, modesty, respect for living creatures and the planet and devotion to the needy, aged and sick.
Read the detail of competing scriptures at your peril and be prepared to ignore logic and just invest in the miracle of “faith”! But right now, in this season, no one is actually referring to your faith!
In the celebration of Christmas, folk are mostly expert in the “Goodwill” side of things and it’s a wonderful family time of togetherness and recreation devoid of dogma, save perhaps by a sermon for churchgoers or midnight mass. Even then, most such services require no debate and merely the comfort that they are on a path of salvation. Again no harm to anyone!
Today, it’s mostly a lighthearted season of giving gifts and another “Thanksgiving Holiday”.
When I wish folk a “Happy Christmas” it’s with empathy for their chosen way of celebrating, be it veneration of a savior or cherishing more down to earth and less perfect family and neighbors.
I delight in any family that carries values, whether it’s in a sacred basket from scriptures or one devoid of holy figures.
As long as folk can cherish the children of strangers, I love them all!
It’s what people do to others and what’s in the heart that is important when I say “Merry Christmas”, not what books they own!
It’s not my business to question anyone’s faith, only their deeds. I have enough challenge in dealing with my own motivations, LOL!
Asher