Christmas trees, Chanukah bushes, and me
I grew up on Long Island. My family was one of only three Jewish families in our neighborhood. The families around us were mostly Italian Catholic, Irish Catholic, or German Protestant. Many of their kids went to St. Barnabas parochial school. My brother and I went to the secular elementary school, a typical public school with kids from a wide
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My two reactions:
(1) Living here in the insular midwest, I never knew there were "real" Chanukah bushes. I always thought that was a joke. I don't think I've ever seen one. We had blue and white lights (around the window) when I was a kid, mostly due to my parents giving in to my pleas of some electrical ornamentation. But that was it.
(2) Since we're in a "mixed marriage," M and I have talked about a Christmas tree for years, but never have put one up. It's due mostly to laziness and much less to Religiosity. This year, we took a step closer by decorating a small evergreen in the back yard. (Your parents *might* have approved -- it's not in the house, yet it can be seen from the house.)
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Do you have strong opinions on the South Park take on this? (link is to "It's hard to be a Jew on Christmas," although my browser is locking up on it)
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That said, here's the gist of the points I wanted to share:
"Christmas trees" have been around longer than Christians. The only real new thing is candles/electric lights, and while they've always been a a form of 'prayer' or 'worship' who it's to isn't set in stone.
Pretty is the main reason that most of the non-religious people I know put up trees, and the reason that some of the Buddhists I know put them up.
And ultimately for me the thing that defines the action that makes it a "Christmas Tree" in disguise or not is the intent - if there is no religious intent, then it's just a pretty tree.
I hope that you find the answers you need on this, and have a great new year.
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