Considering X-mas

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Dungeons and dragons are symbols for injustice and war. Defeating the symbols without controlling what they symbolize is of no value.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

The psalm says, “If I forget you, O Israel.” I recall the lament and the devotion, but it seems misplaced, secondary to where our ultimate devotion lies – to you. As much as a homeland can mean to us, I think it should not be primary in our hearts. You are our one true home.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Actually, ‘God’s country’ would more likely be someplace called Greenland.”

[He might have been a model for Green Man, but He didn’t say this.]

D. Blog: X-mas

According to the signs, we can still buy fresh-cut X-mas trees, or get an X-mas dinner for $9.95 at the local diner.

I play with this X-mas “word.” I suppose the X is a Greek symbol for Christ, but X-mas has given me some sympathy for those whose bumperstickers say “put Christ back in Christmas.” Who among us speaks Greek?

I wonder whether modern children might make a first association of X-mas with X-men. Maybe that’s okay. Jesus was something of an X-man: mysterious, had super powers, a hero figure.

I think trying to put Christ back in the holiday is a hopeless cause. I suspect it’s always been more about family sharing and gift-giving than about advent candles and Christmas Eve services. And maybe that’s okay, too. Christ is surely present when we experience and demonstrate love. Imposing piety and self-righteousness on the holiday detracts from its holy nature.