Dear Christian,
Glad to know that you weren't upset, and thank you for the correction on the
decorated tree. I know I've read something in several places about
pre-Christian trees in the house at solstice...or maybe it was only portions
of trees? Any ideas?
I also love the tree (I'm getting mine this weekend), and was not trying to
devalue Christmas by bringing up its pagan origins, as another post
suggested. I think the adaptive nature of Christianity has contributed to
its spread and longevity. Yes, Christmas is about warmth and generosity, but
that spirit is not limited to the Christian holiday alone.
Back to museums (and the original query)...Our museum is in an extremely
diverse community. If Christians are the majority, it is only by a small
margin. Christians do not have a majority on the museum's boards, and the
overwhelming majority of our donors are not Christians. Our staff is pretty
evenly divided into thirds between those of Christian, Jewish and "other"
faiths. It is not a matter of being politically correct, but of including
others. For our community, "Happy Holidays" works. It is reflective of the
people that live here and support our museum.
We have a staff dinner party every December that resembles someone else's
earlier humorous post -- religious dietary restrictions, vegetarians,
diabetics, and [at one time] a medically prescribed macrobiotic diet.
Everyone is accommodated (it actually isn't that difficult), and we all have
a great time.
Warmest regards,
Rachel
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of "Dr. Christian Müller-Straten"
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 10:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
"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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