Published: December 23, 2007 12:52 am            

VASICEK: Christmas permission

It is kind of funny, but even we grownups are frequently looking for permission. What do I mean by permission? Webster defines permission as “formal consent or authorization.” But there is another type of permission that I will call “sociological permission.”

For example, many women in the 1920s probably thought of the idea of wearing pants. It wasn’t until the 1960s, however, when most women felt like they had “permission” to do so.

Many of us were discreetly patriotic before the terrorist attack of 9/11. Since that event, we now have permission to display our patriotism without embarrassment. We will not be socially castigated nor looked down upon as we might have been before 9/11; we can post our flags without being considered tacky or naïve.

Christmas is an interesting time, because the season brings with it special permission. Consider what we are “permitted” to do at Christmas time. Let’s start with the positives.

Christmas is a time when people have permission to be religious -- and when Christians are in style. Many Americans are inhibited from expressing their religious beliefs, often because of social (peer) pressure. But, at Christmas time, even nominal believers may display manger scenes and try to retain some of the spiritual significance of the holidays.

Songs like, “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” are filled with important theological truths, even though most carolers do not understand them (e.g., “Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth…”). Around Christmas time, being devout does not mean being a nerd.

Christmas is a time when people have permission to show concern for others without being “square.” My dad, who was not a devout Christian, taught me, “Don’t get involved. Mind your own business. We have enough problems of our own.” His attitude, I think, reflects a viewpoint rarely stated but commonly embraced by much of society (particularly where I hail from).

I have obviously rejected my father’s advice, but, at Christmas time, even the most self-centered individuals sometimes show concern for others. Whether we toss loose change into the clanking Salvation Army kettle, sing carols to shut-ins, or bless a poor family with Christmas gifts, people feel free to be generous. They see the joy in thinking about others.

Christmas is a time for socializing and celebration. For many Americans, Christmas is the only time of year they celebrate with co-workers, neighbors or extended family. Were it not for Christmas, many of us would never celebrate with the above groups.

But there is a negative side to the concept of permission. Take these Christmas examples.

Christmas is a time for materialism. The mentality of “charge now, worry about it later” hits at Christmas time like no other time of year. Somehow, at Christmas time, people feel they can escape the laws of mathematics. Christmas also reinforces the illusion that happiness comes from material things. Shortly after Christmas, when we adjust to our new toys, we realize that the thrill of materialism is short-lived.

Christmas can be a time of boredom. It can be for me, anyhow. Sitting around watching football after dinner is fun for the sports fans, but the rest of us are bored out of our minds. Generally, the boredom of the holidays comes because we feel free to forsake social interaction.

Christmas is a time for controversy. The “politically correct” feel complete permission to be reincarnates of Ebenezer Scrooge. Although I do not think Congress should endorse any religious holiday (but remain neutral), some congressional leaders voted to recognize Ramadan but not Christmas. The PC mode is not anti-religious, just anti-Christian, in my opinion.

But Murphy of Murphy’s Law fame (“If anything can go wrong, it will”) also seems to have permission to strike doubly hard. Christmas is a time for crises, but a time when everything is closed. Plumbing. The car. The doctor. Even the minister. All unavailable.

All things considered, Christmas is generally a wonderful time. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.