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Shalom, chaveirim - hello, friends -
I used to wonder how Santa knew not to come down our chimney on Christmas. My father explained, "That's why we have a fire on Christmas Eve." He smiled but seemed entirely serious so I dutifully helped him crumple up newspaper for kindling and we put the duraflame log in the fireplace.
I remember always feeling like Christmas was not "for us" and feeling a little guilty for enjoying the Christmas lights around the neighborhood and then my favorite: Charlie Brown's Christmas special that aired somewhere in December.
The truth is: Christmas is not our holiday. How could it be? It (and Easter) are the two major holidays of Christianity. And of course, this time of year presents the strange dichotomy of coming out of Hanukkah into the "origin story" of Christianity. Historical note: Jesus did celebrate Hanukkah - after all, he was a Jew from Judaea in the 1st century CE!! It's all a lot to get your head around ... but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the lights. In fact, my wife, who is also a rabbi and happens to love the Christmas decorations of the season, and I enjoyed a very festive night on the Town Green last Saturday night listening to the carols.
Even though it is not our holiday, Jews have been mightily supportive and creative in helping shape the American experience of the season. We know that some of the greatest Christmas songs (okay, most and certainly most iconic) were written by Jews. You can find a playlist here. You might enjoy a wonderful documentary called, "Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas" or this article about how Jews came upon Chinese food as the chosen menu for dinner on December 24th.
And for many of our families, Christmas is the holiday of a parent, a spouse, a child, a grandparent ... so what to do? Love them and enjoy a festive holiday!
Jews & Judaism are not diminished by other religions and people celebrating their holidays and holding their traditions. We only shrink or assimilate when we fail to hold fast to and make relevant our own customs, traditions, and most importantly: commandments of Torah. Next up for us? Shabbat, of course! And ... Tu BiShvat ... we'll come to that in another month.
So, go listen to some nice music or enjoy a nice drive around to see the lights. For your Christian friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family, they should have a merry Christmas and in the meantime, would you mind passing me the mooshoo?
L'shalom,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
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