Let It Shine!

In response to one of the comments posted about the Christmas trees at the Seattle airport, why did I suggest that SeaTac should cut the rabbi some slack, put up the menorah, and then deal with other objections if they arose? Practically speaking, because the people who make these decisions have to draw a line somewhere, just as they did when they put up the trees; just as they did again when they took down the trees.

More importantly, because I’ve been taught since I was a child that America stands on a firm Judeo-Christian foundation, which recognizes that Judaism and Christianity are interlaced in a way that doesn’t apply in the same way to Islam or Kwanzaa or whatever else might now be found in our cultural mix.

Jesus was a Jew. In the Book of John we find him in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). If the event that is celebrated as Hanukkah today was similarly celebrated during his lifetime, I believe Jesus would have celebrated the holiday; he would have gathered with his family and participated in lighting the menorah; he would have recited the prayers of re-dedication; he would have recognized the significance of the emergence of light in a dark world.

Notwithstanding the historical significance of the Judeo-Christian relationship, given the message of Peace and Good Will that emanated from under the heavenly lights in Bethlehem, I would happily accept the addition of any Islamic or Kwanzaa symbol that further enlightens the world and similarly speaks to Peace and Good Will to men and women everywhere. As the president would say, “Bring ‘em on!”

The Christmas trees are back up at SeaTac and there’ll be no lawsuit from the rabbi. The lights on the trees are once again a nice addition to the airport. But, with the addition of the menorah, there could have been more light – not only more light shed on this event and its stumbling protagonists, but more celebratory light of the season for all to enjoy.

Jesus said, “I am the light.” We can never have enough light in this world, especially during a season that celebrates a message of Peace and Good Will. As Christian children are fond of singing, “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”