2005 December 02

Vote for the Christmas tree

Boston set off a furor recently when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a ”˜Holiday tree”™ instead of a ”˜Christmas tree. The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot tree for Boston was indignant. The tree was subsequently called a Christmas tree.
 
Last week, the Christmas tree at the Canadian Governor General”™s residence was called for a few hours Holiday tree but then a spokesman for the Governor-General assured all that Rideau Hall would be decorated with Christmas trees this year — not “holiday” trees.
Calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree has become a politically charged prospect in jurisdictions across this country   and also in the U.S.A.
The world has to recognize that this is the time for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth signifies the manifestation of the very best of human traits of love, tolerance, inclusiveness, forbearance, mercy and forgiveness. These traits are universally cherished human values.
The child Jesus was a gift of God at a time when the rulers, in the area, were cruel, self-centered and downright selfish. The human suffering and misery were prevalent in all its wickedness. He preached love and tolerance against all odds. His was an activism with sacrifice. If you reflect meditatively, it becomes evident that his was the first known exercise of democratic principle when against all odds Lord Jesus did stand up to tyranny, hypocrisy, and despots in a very unique non-violent way and changed the history forever.

In my eyes, the Christmas tree is a symbol of this. In the present material world, the tree is used as a backdrop for enticing spending and intense competition of who gives most gifts thus pushing business interests. The frenzied consumerism takes away from the teachings of Lord Jesus. The gifts exchanged at Christmas should not be purely material and commercial but of human brotherhood and love.
The Christmas tree exalts the value of life because the evergreen tree remains unchanged through the harshness of winter. My faith of Hinduism allows me to understand and comprehend the symbolism of the Christmas tree   (which stands for everlasting life, love, tolerance, forbearance, sharing and forgiving) and thus it should never be demoted to be called a Holiday tree.
In this unique Canadian winter election season, let us vote for Christmas tree and not relent from it. A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, and it is as simple as that.
 Pravin Shah