For many, Christmas and the new year is a time to think. I think about what it means in our mainly white, Christian society. What it could mean in a high-functioning multicultural society. The thing that interests me most is the attention the rituals of Christmas are given (which have gone berserk in our material world) and the consequent exclusion non-Christians might feel.
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I hear people cry “well if they want to live here, accept our culture or go home.” Is that a bit like what we did to Aboriginal people, and still do to a large extent? We’re generous though mate, it could be yours if you fall into line. You’ll be right!
I have nothing against Christmas myself, apart from its commercialisation, the display of greed that is encouraged in kids, the lack of restraint and example by parents and the wider community and the consequent incredible expense. Gone are the days when each child knew who had given them what, and we all watched the faces as each child opened their parcels in turn and one at a time. Then the giver, and everyone else, could share the giving and receiving and the child could work out to whom they should their thank you notes. This shared experience is no longer guaranteed. There is a flurry of tearing and it’s over. The winner of course is business, carefully crafting our competitive natures to encourage people to spend more than they should or give more than children need. I compare Christmas now to Thanksgiving in the US. The wonderful thing about Thanksgiving is that everyone can join in. There are no presents and people concentrate on sharing food and time with their family in whatever form it takes … and strangers are very welcome. It’s tradition does not represent a dominant belief that excludes others and there is a sense when you are part of it that it goes across race, culture, secular and private interests. It is national and open to all.
How good it would be if Christmas in Australia could broaden its traditions to include a celebration of all religions, beliefs and customs in a communal way, offering respect to all. It seems to me that that really would be a Christian thing to do.
Australia is, in most quarters, developing a much greater tolerance of and interest in other beliefs, religious or otherwise. Marriage equality is an outstanding example of what can be achieved if people really believe in equal rights, respect for difference and the power of love and interest between groups.
The story and the behaviour around Christmas is now largely commercial and I have not heard one Christian voice speaking against it. Maybe Jesus would have turned the tables in front of a Myer or David Jones in years gone by. In his absence, his representatives certainly aren’t standing in for him. So maybe the Christian church could redeem itself by asking and organising the entire ecumenical community to join in on Christmas Day.
We could have something that means Love, Look and Learn Day or a Welcome Day as part of Christmas, where all sorts of different religious celebrations could be held so anyone who wants to see or share with others could do so.
Change is possible. I am not hopeful of course. I remain sad that we seem to be sliding into exactly the sort of pit that Christianity is supposed to oppose; at the same time as I know that really good people give up time on the day to serve Christmas lunch to people who, without family or homes need a bit of cheer. They are the heroes and they come from all walks of life and from all sorts of backgrounds. They are what I call Christians at Christmas.
So as a question … do we teach the nature and history of other prominent religions? Do we help kids learn about the beliefs of migrants, refugees and others. Do we expect tolerance from young people if they remain ignorant of the lives and beliefs of other Australians. Or do we allow ourselves to look down on other cultures while we say we don’t ? If we are really an active Christian society, or even a just one, we need to know more about each other. And honour our differences in new ways.