"Rachel Talent" <[log in to unmask]> schrieb:
I always find Christians becoming upset about the use "holiday" vs.
"Christmas" a little amusing. From what I understand, a large number of
Christmas traditions were adopted from older (pre-Christian) pagan
winter
solstice traditions, such as bringing a tree into the house and
decorating
it. Personally, I've always associated the winter holidays with human
warmth and generosity, and in that spirit go with the term "holidays"
to
include everyone, not just Christians.
Dear Rachel,
I am engaged, not upset. So what to amuse? Your are right with the pagan
traditions in christendom (as well as in the Old Testament) - and I love
them. It is these pagan traditions, why these ideas are still working
that strong. Summer is still summer and autumn still autumn. You are not
right with the tree. The three is 1st quarter of the 19th cent. - and a
protestant German invention. There is a picture showing "The first
German Xmas tree" a a family with presents sitting near a table.
"Warmth and Generosity" is also typical for the christian Xmas - and
therefore we invite EVERYBODY to take part in our festivities ("Joy to
the WORLD").
Best wishes
Christian
_____
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf
Of Alexandra Trumbull
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 1:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
I work and study at the Milwaukee Public Museum, where the term
"holiday" is
used to describe the season's themed events. However, it's not just
about
the generic holiday feeling here, since the museum's European Village
immersion exhibit is decorated for Christmas every year (with pieces
from
each respective country in Europe--beautiful!). I'm not sure about
other
holidays being represented in these decorations, but I know there is
also a
Kwanzaa celebration on the 26th.
It's a tough call, though, because I agree with Dr. Mueller-Straten that
the
term Christmas is much more evocative and rich for those with this
tradition, but you are also excluding a large population. Do you have
ideas
about the demographics of your audience? I can also sympathize with Dr
Mueller-Straten's views, since Christmas is something more than a
religious
holiday for most Germans. I grew up there myself and always look forward
to
Advent season and to all the festivities surrounding Christmas. Using
the
term "holiday" in place of Christmas would seem silly to me in a German
museum.
In the States it's probably a better idea to use the term holiday
though,
especially if the city you live in is pretty mixed in terms of its
religious
representations. In this day and age I think it's better to
de-emphasize
religion in the public sphere, since it seems to be infiltrating so
many
other areas of our lives already...
Alexandra Trumbull
Graduate Student of anthropology and museum studies
UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Museum
P.S. eine wunderschoene Adventszeit wuensche ich Ihnen, Dr.
Mueller-Straten!
"Dr. Christian Müller-Straten" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear Kim,
what an anxious director... The 24th of December is, since more than
1000 years, the official birthday of Jesus Christ (eastern is in their
understanding the "higher" event, of course). Christians of all kinds
are happy about that and give presents to each other. Other religions
have other high events. We do respect their events and expect them to
do
the same! Do not retreat to "Holidays". There are many holidays without
any religious content, like bank holidays or independance days. This
would soften the original meaning. Let us defend christmas time,
christmas carols and christmas feelings - against all ods like
commercialism or political correctness.
By the way, now does not start christmas time at all, but "Advent" to
prepare ourselves for the symbolical coming of the Lord. So get back to
the roots.
Christian
"Kimberly Kenney, Curator" schrieb:
Hello all,
My Director has asked me to ask the List what your
official position is at your museum regarding this
festive time of year.
We have traditionally called our programs "Holiday"
events this time of year -- Holiday Open House,
Holiday Tea, Holiday Hearth Cooked Dinner, etc. We
are fully decorated with about 30 Christmas trees in
our historic room settings and throughout our "Street
of Shops" (a life sized indoor town). We do have an
outreach program exploring the origins of Holiday
Traditions, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but most
of our events in house focus around the Christmas
decorations, visiting with Santa, and that kind of
thing.
We are wondering if other museums use the word
"Christmas" in their events, or if you choose to say
"Holidays."
Thank you for your input!
Kim
Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
* NEW EXHIBIT: "Hearth & Home" now open and on view through April
2006.
* SPECIAL EVENT: Join us for our annual Holiday Open House on
December 2. Members are free, $5 for guests.
"Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not conflict;
and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those
of
war." -- 25th United States President William McKinley
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