Brendalyn P. and I recently celebrated Thanksgiving in Japan; where, no one else did. That’s O.K., its a uniquely American holiday. Yet, with approaching winter chill, there was no mistaking the Japanese were getting an early jump on Christmas. Decorations adorned, lights twinkled, familiar tunes filled the air.
Japan is a country that, respectfully and understandably, hasn’t got a clue as to the meaning of Christmas. The nation is historically Shinto, culturally Bhuddist, and functionally secular. Truth is; most there, either don’t know about the birth of Jesus, or more accurately, don’t care. They do enjoy the lights, revel in decorations, and market themed slogans with ease. That aspect at least, they have learned well from us. One distinctive however, repeatedly caught my eye: the English the words, “Merry Christmas”. I saw that phrase prominently displayed in store windows, fluttering banners, and even heard on occasion, with a discernible Asian accent, “Meri Karisimasu”.
Across the sea, our familiar greeting of the season is under seige. In this country, for the past decade or two, we Americans yearly wage the ballyhooed War on Christmas. McDonalds formerly instructed employess to wish customers merely, “Happy Holidays”. Do not, under any circumstances, say the “C” word! WalMart briefly followed suit. Properly enlightened, we currently celebrate “Winter Solstace” and display “Holiday Trees” in State Houses. Apparantly, Nativity Scenes in public squares pose a clear and present danger to civilized society!
The irony is inescapable. A nation overtly founded on Judeo/Christian values seeks to distance itself from them, while another naively closes the gap. What is now deemed innapropriate to utter in one country is unashamedly spoken in another. Perhaps, when it comes to having a Merry Christmas, we have something to learn from them.