“Is there anyone who really understands what Christmas is all about?” exclaims our beloved melancholy hero, Charlie Brown, arms thrown wide in frustration. This moment captures my heart every holiday season; those animated Christmas specials truly know how to evoke warmth and nostalgia. The brilliance of creators like Dr. Seuss and Charles Schulz resonates with the spirit of this time.
Enter Linus, clutching his somewhat questionable security blanket, ready to enlighten Charlie. “I can tell you what Christmas is all about,” he declares confidently before quoting a Bible verse about the birth of Jesus Christ—an explanation that often flies over my head. To me, Linus might as well be one of those iconic adults in the show, the ones whose voices are just background noise.
My perspective diverges from the Biblical narrative because I’m a product of two worlds. My mother’s lineage is Jewish, while my father’s is Episcopalian. Or was it Methodist? One of those Protestant branches. So, I don’t just celebrate Christmas; I also partake in Hanukkah. Yes, I’m bi-religious and embrace both traditions. Consequently, I often encounter memes and bumper stickers suggesting my holiday celebrations are misguided.
I don’t attend church or synagogue. My understanding of Hanukkah history primarily stems from a delightful Rugrats special (sorry, Grandma), and my Biblical knowledge is mostly a collage of soundbites from various pundits on Fox News, along with a sprinkling of The Simpsons parodies. Hence, according to many bumper stickers and social media posts, I’m seen as an aberration, contributing to the decline of our “good” Christian society.
I take issue with such sentiments. First and foremost, if Jesus were truly the reason for the season, then we wouldn’t celebrate on December 25th—a date likely chosen to align with the pagan Winter Solstice. Furthermore, we wouldn’t “deck the halls with boughs of holly,” since that tradition was initially a pagan custom that the early Church sought to suppress. And about the phrase “Put the Christ back in Christmas?” I must channel my inner Cartman and say, “Whatever. I do what I want.”
For those who view Christmas as a solemn celebration of the birth of their religious figure—fantastic! Enjoy and celebrate in your way. However, it’s essential to remember that this holiday season holds varied meanings for different people.
For me, the holiday spirit embodies lighting the menorah while my non-Jewish Dad sings a hilariously off-key rendition of “Happy Chanukah to you!” It’s about my grandfather reciting blessings over the candles as our family gathers to savor latkes and applesauce. For a friend, Christmas involves a family pageant complete with news anchors and a Spiderman. Another friend loves the tradition of gathering all the kids into one room and lining them up by age to head downstairs for presents under the tree. And yet another friend treasures the quirky hunt for a pickle ornament hidden within the branches of the tree.
Christmas traditions are undoubtedly peculiar, yet they are uniquely delightful—much like Charlie Brown’s scraggly Christmas tree. The true essence of Christmas isn’t found in Linus’s recitation of Biblical verses; it resides in that quirky tree. Though unconventional, it embodies beauty born from love and care. The special concludes with the tree adorned in holiday cheer, thanks to Charlie Brown’s quirky family.
Ultimately, I believe the holidays center around family—whether by blood or by choice—and celebrating them however we can. Regarding organized religious practices, they serve as a tribute to my ancestors. I cherish lighting the candles on my worn menorah, a cherished heirloom from my great-grandmother, who used it to mark every 25th of Kislev. I equally look forward to unwrapping gifts beneath the tree, a tradition passed down through generations. While some may view my dual religious identity as contradictory, it feels entirely coherent to me.
I won’t dismiss those who cherish Christ in their Christmas or uphold the spiritual importance of these holidays. As previously mentioned, everyone has their way of celebrating. For Linus, Christmas revolves around his favorite passage from Luke 2:4-14, and there’s undeniable beauty in his joy as he recites it. I suspect that this passage is what brings the Schulz family together each year.
However, I grow cautious when others try to impose their beliefs on everyone else, such as when people get upset over stores saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” “Happy Holidays” does not exclude Christmas; it embraces everyone, including those like me who don’t neatly fit into the mainstream Christian narrative. It’s a broad acknowledgment of anyone who celebrates Christmas, New Year’s, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or simply enjoys the beautiful light displays in Rockefeller Center. I believe Jesus would appreciate that inclusivity. After all, he likely celebrated Chanukah as well. So, this Christmas, feel free to place Christ wherever you wish.