Sea-Tac Takes Down Christmas Trees

This morning it was reported that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has taken down all of it Christmas trees in response to a formal complaint filed with airport officials. The complaint came from a local Rabbi who wanted to have an 8 foot menorah installed complete with a public lighting ceremony. Sea-Tac’s talking mouth claims they complied with the demands after the Rabbi threatened to sue the Port of Seattle if his demand were not met in two days. Apparently the airport is two busy with holiday traffic and helping to ensure the safe travel of thousands to worry about adding holiday paraphernalia that reflects the diversity of various religions. Go figure.

Every year it’s something different and quite frankly I just don’t care. Look folks, what’s the difference? Is our faith affected by whether or not some Wal-Mart chooses to take Christ out of Christmas on their signs (Xmas)? Is the story of Jesus’ birth compromised if Sea-Tac takes down the trees? Is the redemptive work of Christ dependent upon the world’s views of our holiday?

I know some of you will e-mail me with complaints, and if you’re one of those people hit yourself because you deserve it. Christmas is sacred to followers of Christ because it’s a day that represents the birth of our savior. The world doesn’t know our savoir, He means nothing to them. As long as the government isn’t trying to take away our rights to celebrate, as long as we continue to have freedom to express our gratitude to our savior publicly then there is no issue, so let’s not try to manufacture one.

There are battles to be fought, and there are battles that don’t deserve the effort. Christmas trees have nothing to do with Christ! December 25th wasn’t Jesus’ actual birthday! Sea-Tac is an AIRPORT! The Port of Seattle has no responsibility to make the air terminal feel like home anymore than they have the responsibility to decorate the cranes at the shipyards. If some over zealous rabbi feels the need to make a name for him/herself, that’s not our issue. Our faith is a beautiful faith rooted in compassion, love, and hope. Our responsibility is to love God, and love people.