While looking for drawings in my digital files about Christmas last week, I ran across this one. A slightly cynical drawing, I don’t recall when I drew it. I wonder who this person is: a child, or is it me? Here is another one I drew that The New Yorker ran a few years ago.
I don’t hate Christmas. One thing I love about the holiday is that we get together as a family, which is most important. We give each other gifts of things we bought or made for one another. It’s about family. What I don’t like is the over-emphasis on consumerism.
I grew up in a modern, suburban quaker home. As a kid, we decorated a pine tree, and shared gifts on Christmas morning. But some Quakers don’t do anything, believing that every day is “sacred.” Quakers eschew religious symbols, celebrations and don’t even have a “church,” but rather a “meeting house” for gathering every week in silent reflection. I was taught that Jesus was someone to emulate, but not the son of God. The denomination, officially The Society of Friends, is known for its peace and justice work, and strong—and active—emphaisis on the equality of all races and genders. The operating principle is “there is that of god—or inner light— in every person.” Many Quakers don’t pay a portion of their taxes that would go to fight wars, many have been conscientious objectors in war over the years. Quakers were persecuted and hung in England (and here as well when they arrived in the 1600’s) because they believed that all people could communicate with God, one did not have to go through a minister or priest. They did not believe in hierarchy, and refused to take off their hats for those deemed by society as higher status. They reformed prisons. They worked in the Underground Railroad, fought for suffrage for all. Early Quakers didn’t believe in dancing, music or art; thankfully, that is no longer the case!
I’m agnostic, but still a member. Underneath, I try to be sure that the principles on which I was raised guide my reasons for drawing. I’m not always successful, but I try. All the writing above came about when I tried to examine my drawings about Christmas for this newsletter. Perhaps you have similar feelings, were raising in a similar way. There aren’t many of us Quakers around, I thought you might find it interesting.
But it’s not really important, it’s what I do that matters.
Warm wishes to all of you, no matter how or if you celebrate anything this time of year.