Christmas, though by definition a Christian holiday observing the
birth of Jesus Christ, is surprisingly celebrated by a vast majority of
non-Christians in North America as well. According to an article in the Voice
of America[1], nine
in ten Americans, including eighty-one percent of non-Christians, celebrate this
holiday.
Several religious holidays that fall around Christmas time—Hannukah,
Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice—have their own rituals. Followers of other
religions in Canada and America—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others—have adopted
some of the basic Christmas traditions, such as having a Christmas tree in
their homes.
Christmas, while being a joyful season, can sometimes be confusing
to newcomers. There is always a desire to “fit in” yet, for many, the question
arises as to which of the local traditions to embrace. The answer seems to be:
whatever one feels comfortable with. One of the most common is the Christmas
tree. A 2013 survey[2]
by the Pew Research Center states that about three-fourths of Asian American
Hindus and Buddhists, as well as one-third of American Jews report having a
Christmas tree in their homes.
Gift giving is a part of all cultures: during Eid for Muslims or
Diwali for Hindus, for example. This practice, already familiar, has become
widely taken up during Christmas as well.
Christmas trees and gift-giving are easily adaptable due to their
non-religious connotations. Sometimes, however, the exchange goes deeper. Christmas
becomes an occasion to reach out to various communities.
“It would be typical of mosques to have a sermon on Jesus at this
time of year, praising him as one of the great prophets but distinguishing
Muslim belief from Christian belief,” says Ihsan Bagby,[3] an
Islamic Studies professor at the University of Kentucky who researches American
mosques.
In the temple I attend (I’m a Hindu) religious services are
organized on Christmas day, mostly because congregants have the day off. These
observances have now become a tradition. While the ceremonies are Hindu,
mention is always made of Jesus Christ and his message, and it is not at all
uncommon for worshippers to wish each other Merry Christmas. An aura of holiness
pervades the day.
In the end, what distinguishes Christmas celebrations, in both Christian
and non-Christain communities, are themes familiar to all: sacredness, family,
love and friendship.
