How Did This Happen?

How did the Christmas tree, a symbol of welcome and celebration come to symbolize something exclusionary? Something to be feared? Ontario Court Justice Marion Cohen's removal of the Christmas tree has only widened the divide between the different faiths. Her decision at worst angers people causing them to fear their own beliefs are under attack. At the very least it brings with it a disdain and ridicule towards the Canadian judicial system.

It was with great relief and admiration to see that the president of the Muslim Canadian Congress, Farzana Hassan, like many Canadians denounced the decision.

Canada wants to be seen as a society that represents a tolerance to all faiths. All faiths has to include all faiths, Christianity included. I sometimes fear political correctness has done far more harm than good.

This daffy decision got me to thinking about my own little Christmas tree. A tree put up by a girl raised in the Christian faith but who is herself kind of agnostic. I don't know if there is such a thing as kind of agnostic but that is for another possible post.

On my tree hangs a brass bell from a friend from Iraq, a star from a girl from Saudia Arabia, a hand crocheted star from a friend in New York. It was with her I attended my first Kristalnaught service. That little watercolour you see is from my friend Sayuri in Japan.

That tree like many, many trees set up around the world is far from a symbol of exclusion, but rather a symbol of peace and goodwill. Christmas for me is all about trying to find a little patch of peace in this crazy mixed up world we live in. Not just for us in Canada but everywhere.

Peace be with you my friends.