At Christmas: We're Not a Christian Nation. We're Better Than A Christian Nation.

Before going to my parents' house for a traditional, Italian Catholic Christmas Eve dinner, I stopped at a drug store in need of tiny batteries for an annoyingly complicated toy I bought for my nephew. Five men who worked there- all Muslim and none of whom were celebrating Christmas- spent a half an hour helping me find the right batteries and install them into the damn thing. They lent me a screwdriver and helped me figure out how to get it working. They knew I wanted it to work on Christmas Eve, and they didn't give up until we all figured out how to make that happen, somewhere between the long register counter and the photo processing area.America is not a Christian nation, nor was it ever designed as such.It's better than that. It was conceived as better than that.That's not to say there's anything wrong with being Christian. When practiced in harmony with the words we know of the itinerant preacher Jesus, Christianity is a generous and kind adherence. It remains my adherence, in a sense.But "Christian" is a grossly over and ill-used adjective.  And regardless, it's not who "we" are as a country. We are Muslims. We are Jews. We are Hindus. We are- increasingly- secular and non-worshipping. But as this intended diversity manifests itself through the years, more and more I see "Christianity" aimed against it like a weapon.I don't believe Jesus wanted or needed weapons. And so quietly I choose to love Him, grateful for the kindnesses I receive, whether in His name or just in His style.Merry Christmas to all.