April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS?
Locals ponder Starbucks and 'keeping Christ in Christmas'
Locals ponder Starbucks and 'keeping Christ in Christmas'
Rev. John Molyn, a retired priest of the Albany Diocese, declared that, instead of getting offended, people would be better off turning their attention toward something that actually represents the Christmas spirit. "There are all kinds of clothing drives for people who need it," he remarked, adding: "My theory is, as long as somebody is wishing me something good, I'm not going to object to that. It isn't a political statement."
Father Molyn is a self-proclaimed "Christmas freak." At four years old, he said, "I took all of the Christmas decorations out of the closet and put them out on the front lawn" - while his mother was taking a nap, in the middle of July.
"Do I think that Christmas has been over-commercialized? I don't look there," Father Molyn continued. "What I can do is keep Christmas the best way I know how, and I think that does a heck of a lot more than yelling at commercialization."
He said that, back in the 19th century, Christmas wasn't as massive a celebration in the United States; though he knows that today's retailers use Christmas to make money, he still sees the real "reason for the season."
"Somebody being negative or angry isn't going to change me," he stated.
Too P.C.?
When Catholics get upset over an issue like Starbucks coffee shops' choice, this holiday season, to use plain coffee cups instead of cups with a Christmas theme, that emotional reaction is about more than political correctness, according to Rev. Thomas Konopka. Father Konopka is director of the diocesan Consultation Center in Albany and sacramental minister at St. Clare's parish in Colonie.
"You're talking about the secularization of society," said the priest and psychologist. "It's not about the gift giving and the trees. It's about the mystery of God's birth."
By looking at the true mystery of the birth of Christ, he said Catholics can grow in their faith: "I'm convinced that we can't change society until we change ourselves."
Father Molyn advised that, if one feels the Christmas spirit slipping, seeing a child's excitement can revive it: "Christmas is a great time for kids. They're still able to wonder and say, 'Wow.' If I want to trust God, they're not a bad place to look."
Other local Catholics are finding their own ways to keep Christ in Christmas. In fact, the Knights of Columbus at Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville are selling magnets for parishioners' cars that bear the "Keep Christ in Christmas" message, along with a picture of the nativity.
Mel Byron, a grand knight from Immaculate Conception parish, believes that "we get so wound up in the holiday and gift giving, we lose sight of the meaning of Christmas."
Mr. Byron has a wooden duplicate of the magnet in his front yard, as well as a sign that reads, "Jesus is the reason for the season."
Growing concerns
Last year, only a couple of the magnets were sold, but they're more popular this year. Mr. Byron partially attributes that to the terrorist attacks in the U.S. and countries around the world.
"There is a bit of a different swing of a pendulum right now," he said. "I think people are starting to see. Everybody has to have some place to turn."
Catholics aren't the only ones who struggle to keep to the true meaning of a holiday. Rabbi Robert Kasman of Temple Beth El in Troy asserted that, for Jews, "Chanukah is more of a secular holiday" that's been embellished to seem like a major Jewish celebration.
"We're not in the same boat as the Christian faith at all," he said, noting that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, does not face the same commercialization that Christmas does.
Whatever one's beliefs are, Shelly Shapiro of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York feels that America "is one of the most understanding countries for diversity.
Applaud diversity
"This holiday season only highlights the fact that we have a country that guarantees the right of diversity," she said. "I'm very proud of everything our country does to achieve that."
Particularly in light of the recent shootings at a center for persons with disabilities in San Bernardino, Calif., she said, "we need to recognize and cherish that freedom."
Embracing diversity is "part of being countercultural," said Father Konopka. "We really need to challenge the world sometimes based on the values we say we believe. We can't be quiet witnesses."
Rev. James Kane, chair of the diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, concluded that "it would behoove one to know the religious traditions of the people one is speaking to and address them as such."
He does believe in keeping Christ in Christmas: "As Christians, we don't believe in reindeer and snowmen. We believe in baby Jesus."[[In-content Ad]]
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