Jingle bells
My son and I walked into a cafe in Kuwait with some Christmas songs playing in the background. My son was singing along and I guess they were introduced to him at school. I don’t have a TV at home and anything he would be watching is either at school or from selected DVDs and Youtube clips. I have been observing the changing attitudes towards this event. Although it is supposed to be a Christian celebration, it has a more universal appeal and is being celebrated throughout the world, as people greet their christian friends or each other. It is a season of kindness and sharing and as it is very close to the new year, I feel that some of this essence finds its way into our thought and resolutions.
But when my son asked me about father Christmas I was faced with the identity dilemma. i was trying to think of the responsible ways of teaching him. I was considering my options for a while.
So I decided to explain the story of St Nickolas and a little bit of history. I told him that it was a good idea to give gifts and make others happy and explained how the tradition came into place. Although we don’t celebrate Christmas as Christians do, I would like my son to understand and know it, as well as the other world traditions such as the Hindu’s festivals of Holi, and Diwali as they contain so much about history and culture. He does not need to hold them as a celebration of his own religion but rather of the religions of the world, so that he can understand and respect the values others hold. In the same way that we would like our values and traditions respected. I always insist that we have to take the initiative in our understanding.
Merry Christmas and season’s greetings.
