Christmas lights all around.
I have two close
friends who, like me, are Jewish. Unlike me, they feel “excluded” at the sights
and sounds of Christmas.
We’re the kind of Jews
who don’t do “Hanukkah Bushes.” I’ve been guilty in the past of overdoing Hanukkah
presents for my kids instead of Hanukkah Gelt, the traditional giving of money
without fancy wrapping.
I now relish the
modesty and wistfulness of our holiday of winter lights with a single Hanukah
menorah and something fried.
My two friends
grew up in a Christmas majority culture. I had the advantage of having grown up
where Hanukkah was at home as well as on the streets, and Christmas was
something you had to seek if you wanted to spot any of it in certain quarters.
Hanukkah was
commonplace; Christmas was exotic.
For me, It still is, . I’m delighted looking at this celebration of lights, plethora of glistening
wrappings under trees, music that mixes old beauty with some sappiness, and
lots of people trying hard to look cheerful in colorful sweaters.
Unlike my two
friends, I’m very comfortable being an outsider looking in. Christmas is
exotic, still.
No need to say
Happy Holidays to me. Your Merry Christmas is welcome. I’ll say it right back
to you, and mean it.
Celebrate!
