Why Would a Buddhist Celebrate Christmas?

Every once in a while, I get asked the question:

Why, as a Buddhist, do I celebrate Christmas?

Why do I deck the halls and wrap presents?

Why do I plan feasts and gathering?

Why do I, in fact, have not just one Nativity, but a surviving collection?

 

Why indeed?

Now, you know it's not my usual thing to get preachy over here. I'd rather sledge out a wall or hot glue the cats together. I keep religion and politics on the down low. But I did get a couple of emails, and my mother even asked, so I figured a little seriousness wouldn't be too out of place. If I'm wrong, stop reading now. I don't want anyone unjoining because I got all philosophical.

This joyous holiday means more to me than a single religion's observation of a miracle.

Most scholars agree that Jesus was actually born in the Spring, 

and that moving the holiday to Winter Solstice was a clever way of being allowed to celebrate during a time of Roman and Pagan feasts.

Although the truth of the move was to avoid persecution, I'd like to think it can mean something else.

I'd like to think we can all believe as we wish and worship God in our own ways, side by side, with the understanding that in many, many ways, there are fewer differences than we think.

I love the symbols of Christmas, the meaning behind it, and the way it gathers people, makes them a little nicer in traffic, a little more generous to those in need, a little more patient with others.

Even those who hold Christmas on a purely secular level recognize the magic and reach out to comfort those with less. It's in our nature to care. December just reminds us of that fact.

I like it when Hanukkah is a little later in the month, because then to me it does feel like we're all making merry together. Although when it's earlier, it just starts the fun and goodies sooner!

Whether you're visiting Farrah in Pakistan and wishing you could make flowers behave like that, Mel in Canada and planning to steal her Cricut, watching Beth in Tampa trying to control her broom, or sliding down to Miami hoping you can talk some color sense into me, it's obvious we all want the same things.

Family.

Home.

Comfort.

Love.
Happiness.

We aren't so different at all.

Merry Christmas, my bloggy friends. Here's to a season of understanding, acceptance, and peace.
We are all of one heart.