Catholic Organization - Jewish Decorations

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momof2angells

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Hi, I work at a Catholic organization with Jewish coworkers. We put Christmas decorations up every year and a Happy Hanukkah string decoration to be inclusive. There are beautiful crucifixes all over this company. My heart hurts at those that reject our Lord and I wonder how this situation would have been treated in ancient times but with talks of getting new Hanukkah decorations how does someone who loves the Lord deal graciously staring at a Hanukkah sign at a Catholic Company. I know I have to be, and will be, respectful but I cant help feel a little ‘off’. I would love to hear how anyone else would feel in this situation of working at a Catholic company that celebrates Christmas and must also put up Hanukkah decor and an added Happy Hanukkah to the departmentAL office party. Thank you everyone.
 
Simply, it´s your workplace.
I work with muslim, catholic and protestant scholars mixed up with atheist coworkers. Many decorate their rooms or desks. Imagine what would happen if I would feel offended by that. Unless nobody blames me for my stuff, it´s fine.
 
Yes, I understand. I guess a part of me just thought that we would just leave it at Christmas decorations since we don’t celebrate with decor other faiths throughout the year. And it’s the offices common areas, not desks. Also, I’m not feeling very offended actually at all, mainly thought this was something curious because we don’t do this with other faiths but mostly, yes, it hurts that I’m staring at a sign that rejects Jesus in a Catholic company.
 
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You know the true meaning of Christmas, that’s what counts. Focus on that, yes it would be wonderful if we could overlook certain things, but that’s the way of the world…We cannot bring everyone to accept Jesus as the Messiah but we can pray for them to open their hearts to the Truth…I do volunteer work at a Catholic hospital and face the same thing you do. They are still our brothers and sisters, let us respect their tradition even though we do not accept it as our own …God Bless you.🦋🦋🦋
 
Thanks, I appreciate your response very much. The truth is I find it hard to respect a tradition that does not believe Christ died for us. But I will try to learn how to, any advice is appreciated on how to do that. They are God’s ancient people as my mother always said so that always warms my heart.
 
Your mom was right just like mine, mom taught from when we were young to always respect others. They may not be right and we don’t agree on matters concerning Jesus, what He did for us etc…God’s ancient people yes, also we know Jesus was a Jew…I also could not understand though why with everything pointing to… Jesus as the Truth why He was not and is not accepted as the Savior God Bless 🦋🦋🦋
 
momof2angells said:
Thanks, I appreciate your response very much. The truth is I find it hard to respect a tradition that does not believe Christ died for us. But I will try to learn how to, any advice is appreciated on how to do that. They are God’s ancient people as my mother always said so that always warms my heart.
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Reflect on the fact that the Jewish people are our elder brothers and sisters in the faith of the One True God, and be at peace in this.
 
I’m not trying to be argumentative and I appreciate your insight but after I reason that way, my mind always falls back on these elder brothers completely reject Christ as Lord even whole respecting them as individuals. I see the Happy Hanukkah sign as a reminder of that. I understand this may be perplexing to many people but I promise I’m not trying to be offensive in any way.
 
Also, if I use the language One True God my mind goes to Jesus.
 
Hi momof2angells,

Jesus and his family were Jewish.

The Catholic faith has its roots in Judaism.

Hannukah is a beautiful celebration.

Maybe you could even look up the meaning of some of the Jewish holidays, so that you could understand them better. 🙂

My husband is Jewish, and he respects my Catholic faith and goes to Mass with me.

There is much to be said about trying to understand someone else’s faith. ❤️

May God bless you, and may you have a peaceful holiday season, with peace and joy in your heart. ❤️
 
What a lovely response, thank you. I know Jesus and His family were Jewish but I can’t help thinking that the Jews of today reject Christ outright just as some in ancient times , and, easy as it is for some to appreciate them and their heritage I still can’t bypass that they reject Christ. Ofcourse I treat all of them with respect and kindness and prayer and yet sometimes all I see is how they reject the Lord and how different we are in the most important aspect of my life.
 
It’s more that they don’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah of our time, or of the past.

I would ask my husband about this too, and that’s how he would explain it to me. He would say that it’s not that he personally doesn’t believe in or recognize Jesus because he does. He said it’s difficult for him to grasp because he wasn’t raised to believe in believing in Jesus–it wasn’t a part of his own faith, but he has learned about Jesus through my Catholic faith. You can just say that it’s different. 🙂

I’ll also say that if you want to make a comparison, the Jewish Torah is comparable to the first five books of our Old Testament.

Here is a link from Chabad.org that explains more about Hanukkah, if you would like to take a look at it:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm
 
The best thing you can do is pray for these coworkers, and continue to evangelize the best you can. You are in a Catholic company, and so, surrounded by grace, perhaps conversion will be much easier for them. But Hanukkah is, for all intents and purposes, a beautiful celebration. The Jewish people will see the truth of Christ eventually. Prayer is your weapon, and your mode of true love towards our brethren.
 
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