As I write this, the Solemnity of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord have just passed, and Lent is in our sights. Before holiday gifts are returned, I need to address the Christmas season. But, first, let me deal with another subject.
St. Thomas Aquinas was a prolific author, and arguably his best-known work is the Summa Theologiae, which I have cited in many of my columns. St. Thomas’ Summa has 512 questions with 2,669 articles.
In Pope Benedict XVI’s weekly catechesis of July 9, 2010, he said, “My predecessor, Pope Paul VI, reminded us of this in a talk he gave in Fossanova on Sept. 14, 1974, on the 700th anniversary of St. Thomas’ death. He posed the following question: ‘Master Thomas, what can you teach us?’ His answer was as follows: ‘To trust in the truth of Catholic religious thought, which he defended, expounded and laid open to the human mind’s understanding.’ (Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, XII [1974], pp. 833-834)
“In his (St. Thomas’) reflections on genuine questions of his time that are often the same questions we have, St. Thomas uses the thought and methods of the ancient philosophers as well, especially Aristotle. St. Thomas’ precise, clear and relevant maxims outline the truths of the faith; truth is the gift of the faith, shining forth and becoming accessible to us for reflection.”
The Summa Theologiae is a great work by any measurement. It also an “apologetic” work by answering questions defending the faith and was drawn on at the Council of Trent, which was sometimes referred to as the “Catholic Counter-Reformation.”
Why do I bring this up? Christians, primarily Catholics, get poked in the eye every year by secularists claiming that we “appropriated” pagan holidays to make Christian holidays, such as Christmas. I submit that the secularists are (really) appropriating Christmas by slowly removing Christ from Christmas. Like St. Thomas, we need to defend the faith!
We are urged to get caught up in the shopping and such. It seemed like there was a time when anything Christmas waited until Thanksgiving was over. Now Christmas merchandise is crowding out “fall” decorations.
We need to reappropriate the truth of Christmas and reassert “the reason for the season.” This reappropriating (or defending) the truth can’t start and be fought in academic circles or the media industry but on our streets.
We appreciate the technology and efficiencies that have made Christmas “decorations” attractive. Who doesn’t like to see beautiful lights on a snowy night? Many will flock to places such as Clifton Mill in Greene County to see a marvelous light display. It is all “part of the season.”
Many towns or communities try to build out on this, drawing tourists (and dollars) with drive-thru areas to see “Christmas” lights. And more private homes put up lighted inflatables. “Grinch” seems to be outpacing “Frosty” and “Santa.”
What I have noticed is how Nativity scenes are becoming fewer and fewer. Even in the most elaborate displays of towns and neighborhoods, the “reason for the season” is being chipped away.
We must have the True Light of the World “literally” illuminating our streets. We must reappropriate Christmas in the public sphere before it’s too late. If you think I’m too alarmist, do you recall Nativity scenes in your neighborhood or town/city? I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.
How can we reappropriate CHRISTmas? In part by reappropriating our family history. We (Catholics) have amnesia when it comes to the Old Testament. This is not just “Jewish” history, it is “our” history, and it speaks about “our” ancestors.
I propose where there is a public display of Christmas lights, as in a park, we have a display of “the burning bush” and a menorah flanking a Nativity scene. These are perfect symbols for the “Light of the World” through time.
The burning bush, I think, is obvious; the menorah, see Exodus 25:31-40 and 27:20-21. In the middle of all is a Nativity with the infant as the brightest light. Ever see the Nativity painting by Guido Reni where Jesus is illuminating everyone?
While we are at it, surely we can come up with an Advent wreath to place outside our churches? And let’s get Advent wreaths back in our homes, too!
We have a rich, beautiful tradition that the secularists have seized upon. Don’t let them appropriate it or water it down. Let’s plan now for next Christmas.