I should say that this was not originally supposed to be the topic of today's blog but I write best out of my emotions and my emotions today are a better fit for this blog.
This may not sound "nice" so I apologize in advance.
Background: For about three years now, I have not celebrated holidays - specifically holidays of Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. - basically anything that isn't biblical. This is not a blog about why I don't celebrate those things. Certain topics I don't feel led to battle unless I know it's a Word in the Spirit to give. This is one of those topics. I also don't feel like I owe anyone an explanation of why I don't celebrate holidays but I do make it very clear the Holy Days that I do observe and celebrate - which are all in the scriptures.
For three years, the people closest to me and those that follow me know exactly what I don't celebrate, and yet, one of the most irritating things I have to face when these holidays arrive for three years now are people who have no regard to respect my (and my family's) decisions. Every year since our decision, we have people that try to subliminally have us honor their pagan holidays with them. Every year since our decision, it seems like it makes people feel awkward to simply not include us in their celebrations and then excuse it as they are only celebrating day because "x, y, z."
Every year, for three years, it seems people feel more comfortable attempting to convince us that they're not really celebrating the holiday either - they are simply embracing "thankfulness" and "love", while they still do exactly the traditional things that our culture does to celebrate.
Now, we don't make a boast out of what we celebrate and it is not in our nature to walk around condemning and judging those that celebrate. It is what it is to us. We don't care. Let me say again, WE. DON'T. CARE. It does not bother US to see YOU celebrate what we consider a pagan holiday. We know that when these days come around, we stay in our bubble and we focus on enjoying and embracing the day - as we do every other day. We observe our days in peace that we celebrate and really only give information if we're asked.
Nevertheless, we will still get a "Happy Thanksgiving", a "Are you coming home for Christmas?", a "Merry Christmas," and even an "I know you don't celebrate it but Merry Christmas."
WHY???
What's so serious about these holidays that people have to force you into their world with them? What's so serious about these holidays where people will judge and ostracize you because you don't celebrate them. Oh, yes, we've been accused of teaching our children "new religions" when it's literally all in the Bible. Please, please, PLEASE - find me any of these traditions and holidays in the Bible and I will be there front and center ready to celebrate with you!! If you can't do that, PLEASE respect MY tradition as I respect yours.
"Is it that serious?" some may ask. Well, it's my identity. It's part of who I am. If my name is Sharon and you insist on calling me Shelia, shouldn't I have a right to be offended if you KNOW my name is Sharon. It also subliminally says, "I don't give a flip about what you celebrate - this is what we do." It's like you're choosing to bully someone who doesn't celebrate or believe what you believe into believing what you believe. Yeah, I have a huge problem with that. It's really low key disrespectful. To disregard or disrespect someone's beliefs to make your own self feel comfortable is, yeah, not cool.
I hope that everyone enjoys family - it is a time where the family gets together, spends money and etc. But I hope that we learn to cherish family without a pagan holiday. Just because it looks good on the surface doesn't necessarily mean that it's good. But if you're ok with not caring or not knowing, please, by all means - yes enjoy! I could take it much deeper than it being a pagan holiday too and how it's really just a perfect time for us to worship money and even pridefully be able to follow the trends of picture taking and brag on much you spent on those you "love" while still probably living paycheck to paycheck. Or the fact that you probably saved up so much money for this holiday to buy gifts when that same money could have been used to invest in your health or other long-lasting investments. I could definitely rant about how we as believers are supposed to be better examples to the world and not be OF the world - but I'm sure I would be judged as being "too spiritual" and etc. So, while I could have plenty of conversations about what I think and feel about celebrating these holidays - I do not. It's wasted energy unless necessary to have. My focus is on teaching those that want to learn and definitely teaching my children.
Like, I could really take it there - but I don't and won't because, again - I. DON'T. CARE.
Honestly. What I do care about and want to kindle express this year is as simple as it is in the title:
"I respect your tradition, now respect mine."
With love & peace...