The problem of Christmas has arisen from a misunderstanding of tolerance. The US was not designed as a secular nation, like the old USSR where religion was pushed out of the public square, but as a multi-religious nation, where no particular religion would be favored over others and no religious test required. What was mandated was freedom of religion, of press, of speech, and of assembly.
Freedom gives every person the right to say or write or believe things which may offend others. If all men are free, then sooner or later someone will say or write something that offends someone else. Tolerance is not a promise not to offend anyone. No one has the right to never be offended. Tolerance is a respect for the right of others to offend us by what they say or write or believe.
Those of us who delight in all the trappings of Christmas should not be surprised that some are offended by our celebrations. Nativity scenes make a statement that not all want to hear.
The would-be Herods of the world, who don't want to acknowledge any power greater than themselves, can hardly be expected to rejoice over image of royalty kneeling before a child. In that stable in Bethlehem the accepted order was overturned, the powerful humbled.
We should not be surprised if secular intellectuals, who think they can define away truth and make all things relative, are not thrilled to see wise men adoring the Truth with a big T — the Word made flesh, God made baby.
And those who are offended when women choose motherhood over money and power are not about to rejoice to hear the world singing the praises of a stay-at-home mother and child. Those who want the world to worship at the altar of sexual excess are probably not going to be coming to adore the Virgin Mother and Child.
Even a simple tree sparkling with lights, pointing to the heavens has a message. Something is coming, something wonderful, a gift so marvelous that everyone must respond by giving gifts. The Spirit of Christmas is contagious. Even those who do not want to acknowledge the miracle feel the urge to take part in the celebration and their children also expect presents. And there is something more — the hope that grows in many hearts that on this day there will be something more than store-bought gifts, perhaps love will finally prevail.
The weeks before Christmas are a difficult time for skeptics. They look around and it is as if the universe is holding its breath in anticipation of something marvelous. Those of us who are Christians believe we are reliving the most wonderful moment in human history — the birth of a baby who would set everything right. While there are many who are happy to join in our festivities without considering the reason for the season, there will always be some who feel excluded.
And so it is understandable that those who want the holiday without the Holy One should demand that we take the Christ out of Christmas. They want to transform our celebrations into a Winter Festival. Such a secular celebration would not cause people to look to heaven or raise their expectations.
Such a demand is positioned as “tolerant,” but it is the exact opposite. It is a demand by the offended that they be allowed to veto the joy of those with whom they disagree.
This is a free country and Christians have a right to keep their feast. We have the right to celebrate Christmas, not only in our homes, but everywhere we go. We have the right to send cards which wish people the joys and blessings of the Christmas season, to greet co-workers with Merry Christmas, to sing Christmas carols, and to shop in stores that sell Christmas presents.
I have found that generally those of other faiths are not offended by our celebrations. They are content to have their own Holy Days, their own festivals. Those who are offended must learn that tolerance is a two-way street. We tolerate their rights and they must tolerate ours.
And so with the true Spirit of the season I extend a Merry Christmas to men of good will and blessing to all, even those offended by this joyful season.
Dale O'Leary is a writer, pro-family activist and educator living in Rhode Island. Her e-mail address is daleoleary@thefactis.org.
