Organized religion, most notably Christianity, in Canada continues to suffer declines in adherence and attendance. We are increasingly becoming a people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. In 2009, 28% of Canadians cited ‘no religious affiliation’. And estimates say somewhere around only 11% who are of Christian affiliation attend church once a week.
At this time of year however, Canada celebrates Christmas. It is a monumentally important religious event, the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. But in Canada, while we are not a religious people, we celebrate Christmas in as committed a way as ever before.
Let’s be honest. Undeniably, the Christmas we celebrate is not about the star of Bethlehem, the three wise men or the birth of Christ our saviour.
The Christmas we celebrate in Canada is characterized by: the giving of gifts, socializing with food and alcohol and downtime at home with family and loved ones.
Imagine that. In this day and age, we run from store to store, fill our arms with boxes and bows, and watch our bank accounts run low, in the name of Christmas. Oh… the crass commercial consumerism.
In this day and age, we host friends, neighbours and colleagues, fill their hands with glasses of wine or egg nog, feed them full of canapés, and talk, or maybe dance, in the name of Christmas. Oh… the gluttony, the mindlessness.
In this day and age, we put on the fire, stay in our pajamas, curl up under the blankets, cuddle up to one another, and watch movies, read the newspaper or sleep, maybe even for an entire day, in the name of Christmas. Oh… the sloth, the laziness.
This is the Christmas so many of us celebrate nowadays. This is the Christmas that has been systemically preserved and sanctioned. But why? Why is this so? With the decline of organized religion, what is the reason Christmas even is?
Because we need it. We really need it. We need it more than ever.
Because we are generous beings. We like to show our love. We like to make people smile. And we like to give gifts, in whatever form. We like the protection of having a sanctioned time to give. That’s Christmas.
Because we are social beings. We like to let loose. We like to eat. We like to talk to our friends. They make us laugh. Or understand us best. We like the protection of having a sanctioned time to be social. That’s Christmas.
Because we are loving beings. We need to be able to relax into the comforts of our homes. We need to be able to curl up close to each other. We need to rest, together. We like the protection of having a sanctioned time to be loving. That’s Christmas.
We need Christmas. We really need it. We need it more than ever.
So go ahead everybody. Celebrate Christmas. Happy Holidays.
No comments:
Post a Comment