Christmas
Greetings, All.
I have received numerous inquiries from Outsiders concerning Witch's and other Kind's views of the Christian holiday, Christmas. I think now is a good time to explore those views and not, strictly, from a particular religious point of view, for the widely held belief that Witches and other Kinds are either Pagans or Atheists is far from true. What one must also take into consideration, as we explore this issue, is that not all Outsiders who celebrate Christmas are Christians. Now there is some food for thought. If I step on a few toes it is not my intention to do so but, merely, to address what is.
To begin, Christmas is celebrated in two distinctly different ways; one, on a religious level and the other on a commercial level though a great many manage to combine the two and call it the Christian way. Most of us know the story of the birth of the Christ Child on December 25th and that three wise men came from afar, led there by a particularly bright star in the heavens, bearing gifts for the child. Hence the giving of gifts, and Christmas trees finished with stars or angels atop them, is symbolic of what is told in the Christian bible; a beautiful and moving story.
Few like to openly admit that the true meaning of Christmas has been virtually buried in the commercial value of that holiday, which becomes ever more obvious with each new season. But many blame the commercialism on companies that promote new products, and claim the lure is so great their children would be broken hearted if they did not get what they wanted. The blame game is as old as time but that is an issue for another time.
The wrong assumption that other Kinds are either Pagans or Atheists is about as absurd as assuming that all Christians hold sway with one religion; Catholic, Baptist, or any other Christian faith. Being that most of the Outsiders who give credence to the existence of other Kinds believe the Vampyre possesses no soul, the Werewolf is no more than a beast, and the Witch is either Pagan or Atheist, it does not require any heavy thought to figure out the bent of wrong assumptions. Therefore, it is no small wonder that one would assume those Kinds are indifferent to Christmas. Ass-u-me. Uh-huh, to assume makes us that; asses.
Points of interest: The Vampyre Garth is married to a Witch and both are baptized in the Catholic faith. Jessica attends church services, regularly, while Garth, of necessity, can only attend evening services with her. Michael, a Werewolf, has Christian based beliefs and while he does not belong to one particular faith, he attends different services with the same based beliefs. The point I am trying to put across here is that regardless of Kind, one should not assume that others different from mainstream Mankind lack Christian values.
I will not, as I am wont to do, harp on the fact that the tendency to believe Vampyres and Werewolves have no soul is utterly ludicrous. But I will ask you to consider why a Christian with a modicum of understanding of his faith's teachings would think their God would turn His back on His own children who praise and glorify Him. Are not born Vampyres and Werewolves His creations? Are not those innocents made both Kinds as worthy of His love as any Christian? If you answer no to either or both of those questions then you, as a Christian, are blasphemous in your faith which teaches that all who believe in your God are equal in His eyes.
Kind of made you uncomfortable or angry with that statement? So be it, for the truth of that comes on good authority ( I will use Catholicism as an example). If you remember from one of my earlier posts (go back through the archives if memory fails you) I told you the sitting members of our Council of Alliances are not only of different faiths but that some hold high positions within their faiths. Many is the time we discuss faith based issues and when a Catholic Bishop tells me his God would never turn His back on one of His children, regardless of Kind, I am inclined to believe he knows of what he speaks.
I am aware, as the Bishop is, that he is but one of a few who minister the Catholic faith who give credence to the existence of other Kinds and then those most often considered of evil origins. Know that he did not always believe as he now does. It took in-the-face proof to force him to admit that other Kinds do exist. The Bishop's awakening came in the form of Garth and I assure you the Bishop wrestled long and hard with his teachings before he could bring himself to not only accept Garth's existence but then further, to conclude that Garth is not a demonic presence. Poor man had to work through the fear that Satan was seeking his soul and that, as the Bishop told me, was the tallest order he'd ever been faced with.
Now that I have taken the indirect path to our topic for today (my way of getting a little extra information out to you) I will proceed to that end. As you keep abreast of modern times so, too, do Witches and other Kinds. Many, though not all, have integrated into modern society with 'some' measure of success. And being modern citizens among modern Outsiders, they live much as you do, do many of the same things you do, and in many of the same ways. They enjoy all the holiday festivities such as shopping, gift giving, making the social rounds, attending children's plays put on by schools and churches, and the like.
They are your neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and the new people you meet along your way. Their homes are decorated for the season and whether or not they imbibe food or alcohol, they can and do put on holiday feasts for their guests; many of whom are Outsiders who have no idea they are rubbing elbows with another Kind. Where is the harm in that? Like you, other Kinds are entitled to enjoyment and the celebration of Christmas is a particularly enjoyable event, not to mention an excellent time for the sharing of what all Christian faiths teach; good will toward all. Would that Christmas cheer and good will extended the year round, to everyone.
So, it might shock you to know that some of other Kinds are better versed in the meaning of Christmas than many of you Christian Outsiders, and that they put the true reason for the season first and then enjoy the glizt and glitter and gift giving. Hmm, can you say the same of yourself? Do you concentrate more on the shopping and partying and the desire to impress with the amount you spent on gifts and fashions then make a small statement with a quick trip to your local church and call yourself celebrating Christ's birth, or do you concentrate on what is most important and put the rest as secondary? Only you can answer for yourself.
It takes but one act of kindness, one act of good will, or one hand extended in acceptance and friendship to start the ball rolling for others to follow. It takes but one invitation to your home to say to another: "Welcome to my home and my table." If you are a true Christian then you know the story in the bible about the old man waiting to greet his Lord and Savior and with every knock at his door, he invited needy strangers into his home and met their needs even as he despaired of giving them those things he had prepared for his important guest. And when the time was long past for his guest to arrive and he questioned the absence of his Savior, he was answered: "Three times I knocked upon your door and three times you invited me in..." Who is knocking at your door and who are you turning away? We all have a purpose in this world and who is to say that other Kinds have no place among us? Not I. Ponder and Blessed May You Be.
In conclusion I would like to wish everyone, of every Kind, a wonderful Christmas. As I celebrate with family and friends, I will continue to hope and pray for peace among all Kinds. Be safe in your celebrations and true to your faith, Dream Teller.
I have received numerous inquiries from Outsiders concerning Witch's and other Kind's views of the Christian holiday, Christmas. I think now is a good time to explore those views and not, strictly, from a particular religious point of view, for the widely held belief that Witches and other Kinds are either Pagans or Atheists is far from true. What one must also take into consideration, as we explore this issue, is that not all Outsiders who celebrate Christmas are Christians. Now there is some food for thought. If I step on a few toes it is not my intention to do so but, merely, to address what is.
To begin, Christmas is celebrated in two distinctly different ways; one, on a religious level and the other on a commercial level though a great many manage to combine the two and call it the Christian way. Most of us know the story of the birth of the Christ Child on December 25th and that three wise men came from afar, led there by a particularly bright star in the heavens, bearing gifts for the child. Hence the giving of gifts, and Christmas trees finished with stars or angels atop them, is symbolic of what is told in the Christian bible; a beautiful and moving story.
Few like to openly admit that the true meaning of Christmas has been virtually buried in the commercial value of that holiday, which becomes ever more obvious with each new season. But many blame the commercialism on companies that promote new products, and claim the lure is so great their children would be broken hearted if they did not get what they wanted. The blame game is as old as time but that is an issue for another time.
The wrong assumption that other Kinds are either Pagans or Atheists is about as absurd as assuming that all Christians hold sway with one religion; Catholic, Baptist, or any other Christian faith. Being that most of the Outsiders who give credence to the existence of other Kinds believe the Vampyre possesses no soul, the Werewolf is no more than a beast, and the Witch is either Pagan or Atheist, it does not require any heavy thought to figure out the bent of wrong assumptions. Therefore, it is no small wonder that one would assume those Kinds are indifferent to Christmas. Ass-u-me. Uh-huh, to assume makes us that; asses.
Points of interest: The Vampyre Garth is married to a Witch and both are baptized in the Catholic faith. Jessica attends church services, regularly, while Garth, of necessity, can only attend evening services with her. Michael, a Werewolf, has Christian based beliefs and while he does not belong to one particular faith, he attends different services with the same based beliefs. The point I am trying to put across here is that regardless of Kind, one should not assume that others different from mainstream Mankind lack Christian values.
I will not, as I am wont to do, harp on the fact that the tendency to believe Vampyres and Werewolves have no soul is utterly ludicrous. But I will ask you to consider why a Christian with a modicum of understanding of his faith's teachings would think their God would turn His back on His own children who praise and glorify Him. Are not born Vampyres and Werewolves His creations? Are not those innocents made both Kinds as worthy of His love as any Christian? If you answer no to either or both of those questions then you, as a Christian, are blasphemous in your faith which teaches that all who believe in your God are equal in His eyes.
Kind of made you uncomfortable or angry with that statement? So be it, for the truth of that comes on good authority ( I will use Catholicism as an example). If you remember from one of my earlier posts (go back through the archives if memory fails you) I told you the sitting members of our Council of Alliances are not only of different faiths but that some hold high positions within their faiths. Many is the time we discuss faith based issues and when a Catholic Bishop tells me his God would never turn His back on one of His children, regardless of Kind, I am inclined to believe he knows of what he speaks.
I am aware, as the Bishop is, that he is but one of a few who minister the Catholic faith who give credence to the existence of other Kinds and then those most often considered of evil origins. Know that he did not always believe as he now does. It took in-the-face proof to force him to admit that other Kinds do exist. The Bishop's awakening came in the form of Garth and I assure you the Bishop wrestled long and hard with his teachings before he could bring himself to not only accept Garth's existence but then further, to conclude that Garth is not a demonic presence. Poor man had to work through the fear that Satan was seeking his soul and that, as the Bishop told me, was the tallest order he'd ever been faced with.
Now that I have taken the indirect path to our topic for today (my way of getting a little extra information out to you) I will proceed to that end. As you keep abreast of modern times so, too, do Witches and other Kinds. Many, though not all, have integrated into modern society with 'some' measure of success. And being modern citizens among modern Outsiders, they live much as you do, do many of the same things you do, and in many of the same ways. They enjoy all the holiday festivities such as shopping, gift giving, making the social rounds, attending children's plays put on by schools and churches, and the like.
They are your neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and the new people you meet along your way. Their homes are decorated for the season and whether or not they imbibe food or alcohol, they can and do put on holiday feasts for their guests; many of whom are Outsiders who have no idea they are rubbing elbows with another Kind. Where is the harm in that? Like you, other Kinds are entitled to enjoyment and the celebration of Christmas is a particularly enjoyable event, not to mention an excellent time for the sharing of what all Christian faiths teach; good will toward all. Would that Christmas cheer and good will extended the year round, to everyone.
So, it might shock you to know that some of other Kinds are better versed in the meaning of Christmas than many of you Christian Outsiders, and that they put the true reason for the season first and then enjoy the glizt and glitter and gift giving. Hmm, can you say the same of yourself? Do you concentrate more on the shopping and partying and the desire to impress with the amount you spent on gifts and fashions then make a small statement with a quick trip to your local church and call yourself celebrating Christ's birth, or do you concentrate on what is most important and put the rest as secondary? Only you can answer for yourself.
It takes but one act of kindness, one act of good will, or one hand extended in acceptance and friendship to start the ball rolling for others to follow. It takes but one invitation to your home to say to another: "Welcome to my home and my table." If you are a true Christian then you know the story in the bible about the old man waiting to greet his Lord and Savior and with every knock at his door, he invited needy strangers into his home and met their needs even as he despaired of giving them those things he had prepared for his important guest. And when the time was long past for his guest to arrive and he questioned the absence of his Savior, he was answered: "Three times I knocked upon your door and three times you invited me in..." Who is knocking at your door and who are you turning away? We all have a purpose in this world and who is to say that other Kinds have no place among us? Not I. Ponder and Blessed May You Be.
In conclusion I would like to wish everyone, of every Kind, a wonderful Christmas. As I celebrate with family and friends, I will continue to hope and pray for peace among all Kinds. Be safe in your celebrations and true to your faith, Dream Teller.
posted by Dreamteller at
5:00 AM
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