Tyler's Turn Blog

This is a little late, but I just came across it yesterday morning.

One of the best responses to the so-called War on Christmas I've heard is from the podcast of Whosoever Magazine. I don't have a transcript, so I don't have the exact wording, but Candace Chellew-Hodge basically said:

"I've read all four Gospels, and I don't find any record of Jesus having a birthday party or of people wishing him a happy birthday. From the historical record, I have no reason to believe Jesus would be offended by people forgetting his birthday. On the other hand, Jesus was always offended by religious people who sow hatred and dissension, and by those who would turn the Church into a business. James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and all the religious leaders shouting about a 'War on Christmas' are the people who would offend Jesus the most this Christmas season."

Before hearing Candace's commentary, my favorite response was Ann Quindlen's in Newsweek. Anna said:

"O ye of little faith, who believe that somehow the birth of Christ is dependent upon acknowledgment in a circular from OfficeMax! According to the story, Jesus threw the money-changers out of the temple, saying that they'd made his father's house into a den of thieves. By any stretch of the imagination, does that person sound like someone who would hanker to be formally recognized at Sears and Walgreens, as though his legacy depended upon being given pride of place among redundant hand appliances and teddy bears in Santa hats?"

One of the aspects of owning a store, which I wasn't prepared for, is the number of people who drop by or call because they know someone will be here who can answer their questions. Of course, I expected people with queries about recipes and cooking -- we're an international and gourmet grocery after all. I even sort of expected the tourists asking for restaurant recommendations, but I didn't expect the large number of, "Do you know what time the bus stops at the corner?"

Today, I had one of the strangest yet. A woman stopped in and said, "I'd like your advice on something." Turns out, she's opening a vintage and used clothing store, and she wanted to know what's popular with young people these days. She had a seventies polyester shirt and wanted to know what I thought. "Aren't kids wearing sixties and seventies clothes?"

I told her she was about a decade too late. The kids who come in my store these days (at least the ones hip enough to buy vintage clothes) are dressing in eighties fashions.

She said, "You mean, like puff sleeves and bubble skirts?"

I said, "No, more like Madonna circa 1985, or Flashdance. Think ripped pink sweatshirts and leg warmers." I also recommended she buy some kid's magazines, like Teen People and Seventeen.

My friend Suzi says I bring it on myself, because I'm always so nice to people and always try to answer their questions, no matter what they are. She also says I should start answering the phone, "Curious Information. This is Tyler. How may I help you?" If I could make money at it, I think I'd love to be The Curious Information.

In the past, I've bemoaned the placement of the Christian New Year. I've always thought the Jewish autumnal New Year or the Zoroastrian spring New Year were more suited to changing the calendar. However, this year, it suddenly seems right to have the New Year now.

We just had the winter solstice — the darkest day of the year. Then, we Christians celebrated the coming of the light into the world with Christmas. Now, the days are starting to get longer, and we're looking toward spring. It really is a good time to think about new ideas and fresh starts.

Maybe it's because I now live in New Mexico, where the changes in sunlight are noticeable (as opposed to the Midwest, where it's simply gray and dreary from October until June). Whatever the reason, I'm feeling new this New Year.

Update: Added the link January 5th.