Article December 22, 1973 Issue

Christmas in July

HELEN R. CONROYD

Why not? Why can't we have Christmas every day? Many raise this question at the holiday season. Do they mean, "Why don't we keep the decorated trees, the wreaths, the tinsel, and the gift giving?"

No, nobody really means the outer show; that would soon pall. What people mean is why can't we keep the thinking about others that is back of gift giving—the getting out of a self-centered self for the benefit of others, if just for a season. They remember the smiles and nods and goodwill words from neighbors who may not stop to speak at other times—and yes, that friendliness among strangers on the street and in the shops. They mean the paeans of glory and hallelujah that celebrate the holiness of the holidays, that rejoice in the Christ child, and in the Christ-man.

Because we celebrate Christ Jesus' birthday on December 25, does that mean it is unreasonable to celebrate Christmas at any other time? It would be if all we wished to honor were the birth of a man called Jesus, and if his birthday were December 25. But scholars have found that he was born neither in the year nor on the exact day traditionally accepted by Christian peoples.

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