How Many Pagans Celebrate Christmas?

[Shanti]

How many of you that are not in any way Christian, celebrate Christmas and why?
By 'celebrate' I mean.... 'partisipate' or 'give/receive presants' or do 'anything' that you dont normally do on a regular day.

I am not Christian, not even a little bit.
I dont partisapate period. Family knows not to even call us.
We dont allow any presants period. The one aunt that likes to buy for our kids does so but gives them in spring in spring colored wrapping.
We dont do anything Christmas wise.

I wonder if on Dec 25th I will have company on MW to talk about anything other than Christmas.

[Sleet]

My wife and kids are Christian, so I celebrate along with them.

[Shanti]

My wife and kids are Christian, so I celebrate along with them.
That is very understandable!!!!!!!
And respectful of course!!:)

[Aelfoak]

I've been totally disillusioned with Christmas for such a long time now, all it is (apart from spending time with your family) is just a big commercial exercise to boost our economies, i'm thinking of going away this Christmas.

[Avalon]

My family is Catholic, and my mother marches to her own beat (but includes Christ), so we all celebrate it...but to be honest, it's more in a non-religious way. As Lucy van Pelt says, "Santa Claus and ho ho ho and presents for pretty girls". :D

[Threase]

My family doesn't really have a certain faith or religion, but we celebrate Christmas and Easter and all that stuff because it's an excuse for family time... not to mention presents :)

[Druchii]

I normally don't like it too much.. but this year I have a kid. :D I get to buy cool toys for HIM now. :)

[MoonKnight]

I think X-mas has become more of a cultural holiday than anything. It's became so commercial and devoid of the original meaning. To answer your question, I celebrate it with my family. I just may refer to it as Yule.

[Sleet]

As Lucy van Pelt says, "Santa Claus and ho ho ho and presents for pretty girls". :D

:D :D :D

Although I'm no longer Christian, I still tear up at Linus' speech. Maybe because I agree with its utter rejection of commercialism in favor of the spiritual (ANY spiritual).

[Shanti]

My family is Catholic, and my mother marches to her own beat (but includes Christ), so we all celebrate it...but to be honest, it's more in a non-religious way. As Lucy van Pelt says, "Santa Claus and ho ho ho and presents for pretty girls". :D
You do it for your mom?
I am courous, do you get presants?

No offence but gifts seem to play a big role.

We tried x-mass with my MIL but we said no gifts. After 2 yrs of her ignoring that request, we dont do it anymore.
We didnt mind sharing her beliefs but gifts had to be out. No commercialism!

[zehava]

I normally don't like it too much.. but this year I have a kid. :D I get to buy cool toys for HIM now. :)

oh yes, Christmas is MUCH more fun with kidlets! :D

-z

[Ben Trismegistus]

I've participated in Christmas my whole life, despite having been raised Jewish and now being Wiccan. I view it as an entirely secular holiday, and it cheers me up during the bleak winter months to decorate the house, put up a tree, play Christmas carols, and give presents to my loved ones.

The story goes like this: We only celebrated Hanukkah in my family for a little while, and when I was about 4 or 5, I marched up to my mother, sang her the entire lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", and pointed out that Santa specifies SLEEPING or AWAKE, and BAD or GOOD, but says absolutely nothing about CHRISTIAN or JEWISH. My mother couldn't find any fault in that argument, so we had Christmas from there on out.

[zehava]

yes, i celebrate. my parents are Christians, we usually get together with them and my brother. i celebrate it more out of respect for other beliefs than out of my belief that it's Jesus' birthday, kwim?

besides that, i really enjoy the season with my kids and family. i like getting together with them and chilling out around a Christmas tree :D

-z

[Shanti]

I normally don't like it too much.. but this year I have a kid. :D I get to buy cool toys for HIM now. :)
I dont get it...gifts for why?

[Aelfoak]

I normally don't like it too much.. but this year I have a kid. :D I get to buy cool toys for HIM now. :)
Yes, Christmas is very much for the children, and you see their eyes light up when they open their prezzies

[Bainidhe Dub]

For me, Christmas has never been a particularly religious holiday. It's always been about seeing family, getting everyone together to watch the kids play in the snow and watch cartoons all night, trying to stay up late to see Santa and the reindeer. About making cookies to send to the neighbors and shopping all day to find that perfect present for the ones you love, to see the joy on their faces. Spending time with some of the most important people in your life. *smiles* That's Christmas to me.

So, yes, I celebrate Christmas. The whole month of December.

[Shanti]

Its starting to sound very gift driving!!!!!!!

[Celtique]

I was raised Lutheran, so I celebrated Christmas many years before I realized I was Pagan. I still celebrate it because the rest of my immediate family does. I just consider it a time to express the joy of having close friends and family rather than a holiday created around the birth of Christ.

[Sleet]

I am courous, do you get presants? No offence but gifts seem to play a big role.

There's a lot more to it than presents. My wife and I haven't given each other gifts in years, but we still love the sights, sounds, & smells. The soft lights in the tree, the crackling fireplace, hot chocolate, cookies (lots!!! Esp. my grandmother's old nut horn recipie!), candles... I really do love it, gift-giving aside.

[Shanti]

Christmas is sounding like a drug!!!!

Looks like I will be alone on MW! :(

[Charise]

ahh.... it's because the gift is in the giving...

I think I read somewhere once that giving gifts was actually a pagan tradition to begin with anyway...hmmm... may have to go to some research on that.

But yup, we celebrate it BIG time here... it's the most wonderful time...of the year.. *I think I hear a song there somewhere*....

[Bainidhe Dub]

Its starting to sound very gift driving!!!!!!!

You know.. maybe it is. *shrugs* But I like being able to get things for people that they otherwise wouldn't buy for themselves, or aren't able to for whatever reason. And it's not all about getting presents - it's about spending time with the family, just hanging out and talking, cooking, drinking... whatever... without fighting, without stress and pressure.

[Sleet]

Christmas is sounding like a drug!!!!

I think that maybe the "presents" aspect of it is far more distasteful to you than to most. I don't hate it in principle, I just hate it when it takes over.

My family doesn't let it take over, and thus for us it's a nice holiday, full of good memories and fun traditions.

[Terestai]

I actually like that time of year... it's the only part of Winter that I look forward to. The lights especially. When the nighttime gets lit up, it's like magic. :heyalove:

[Ben Trismegistus]

Christmas is sounding like a drug!!!!

Looks like I will be alone on MW! :(
Looks that way.

Christmas is a nice feeling. That's all. It's family, it's nostalgia, it's presents, it's egg nog.

[Ben Trismegistus]

I think that maybe the "presents" aspect of it is far more distasteful to you than to most. I don't hate it in principle, I just hate it when it takes over.
The commercialism is bad, not the presents. I love buying gifts for people, and receiving gifts. It's the oneupsmanship and the mall culture that gets on my nerves.

[zehava]

The commercialism is bad, not the presents. I love buying gifts for people, and receiving gifts. It's the oneupsmanship and the mall culture that gets on my nerves.

i ditto this!!

-z

[Shanti]

I think that maybe the "presents" aspect of it is far more distasteful to you than to most. I don't hate it in principle, I just hate it when it takes over.

My family doesn't let it take over, and thus for us it's a nice holiday, full of good memories and fun traditions.
Family picnics are great and get togethers for birthdays and whatever.
Why Christmas? Its full of comercialism. And its Christian.

I dont get it. :(

[Shanti]

The commercialism is bad, not the presents. I love buying gifts for people, and receiving gifts. It's the oneupsmanship and the mall culture that gets on my nerves.
Gifts that mean the most are the ones not expected!!!!

[Aelfoak]

Looks that way.

Christmas is a nice feeling. That's all. It's family, it's nostalgia, it's presents, it's egg nog.
......and its the 100th repeat of Indiana Jones, Willie Wonka, Superman etc

[Avalon]

Looks that way.

Christmas is a nice feeling. That's all. It's family, it's nostalgia, it's presents, it's egg nog.
I think it's the family aspect that means the most to me. Honestly - and I mean this - I wouldn't care if we didn't exchange gifts at all. Just being together, with the tree and the lights and "A Christmas Story" playing in the background...that's Christmas to me.

Oh - and we still set up a créche in honor of my Nanny, who always had that job until she passed away in 1996. But if you look closely, there's a little Befana with the Three Wise Men. :smile:

[Shanti]

I am really trying to understand the why!!!!!

[Celestial Lily]

I love Christmas, more the run up to it rather than the actual day. The lights, songs, tree, shopping and, yes, presents. My family isn't religious so it never really felt like a Christian holiday to me.

[Shanti]

I love Christmas, more the run up to it rather than the actual day. The lights, songs, tree, shopping and, yes, presents. My family isn't religious so it never really felt like a Christian holiday to me.
The comercialism you like?

[*Rain*]

Christmas is sounding like a drug!!!!

Looks like I will be alone on MW! :(
Nope i'll be around. We don't do christmas. We celebrate Mid-winter a few days before, a lot of Yule-like traditions but without the comercialism and on a much smaller scale, no gifts either.

I hate being around it all for MONTHS beforehand. There are shops selling decorations and plastic trees already. The best christmas period I ever had was when I lived in Austria, it was truly about religion over there. The kids had no concept of Santa Claus, the christ child brought their presents (a few small token gifts, not half the toy shop). They had more fun than half the kids over here who are bored after a few hours. It was a real family time and a real joy to take part in because it felt like it meant something to the people I was with.

Just a small note

I hate christmas music

It's in all the shops all the time from October onwards and it really gets on my nerves, it doesn't make me jolly, it turns me into a grumpy cynical old goat.

[Holly Ariadna]

Come on Shanti, giving gifts doesn't have to do (well, not only) with commercialism, it's a nice thing to do, that's it.

ETA: Needless to say, I LOVE Christmas. I'm very religious so that's one part, and also I just love the Xmas spirit, the tree, the music, the gingerbread... :) It's so nice.

[zehava]

And its Christian.

is that an issue? i thought we, as pagans, were more open minded about other religions than that. the Christian religion actually has some really decent good things about it :) it isn't all commercialism and 'damn ye to hell' despite popular belief ;)

-z

[Shanti]

Nope i'll be around. We don't do christmas. We celebrate Mid-winter a few days before, a lot of Yule-like traditions but without the comercialism and on a much smaller scale, no gifts either.

I hate being around it all for MONTHS beforehand. There are shops selling decorations and plastic trees already. The best christmas period I ever had was when I lived in Austria, it was truly about religion over there. The kids had no concept of Santa Claus, the christ child brought their presents (a few small token gifts, not half the toy shop). They had more fun than half the kids over here who are bored after a few hours. It was a real family time and a real joy to take part in because it felt like it meant something to the people I was with.

Just a small note

I hate christmas music

It's in all the shops all the time from October onwards and it really gets on my nerves, it doesn't make me jolly, it turns me into a grumpy cynical old goat.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel sooooo much better!!!!!! See you here on Dec 25 to talk about anything but Christmas!!!!!! :)

[Holly Ariadna]

is that an issue? i thought we, as pagans, were more open minded about other religions than that. the Christian religion actually has some really decent good things about it :) it isn't all commercialism and 'damn ye to hell' despite popular belief ;)

-z

Awww bless you!! :)

[Sleet]

Family picnics are great and get togethers for birthdays and whatever.

What else can I say? I love the trappings of the Christmas holiday - they just aren't there for those other things.


Why Christmas? Its full of comercialism.

Only if you let it.


And its Christian.

I don't consider that a bad thing. My family is Christian, after all. Besides, I combine it with my Yule celebration.

[*Rain*]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel sooooo much better!!!!!! See you here on Dec 25 to talk about anything but Christmas!!!!!! :)
It's a date.

[Shanti]

Come on Shanti, giving gifts doesn't have to do (well, not only) with commercialism, it's a nice thing to do, that's it.

ETA: Needless to say, I LOVE Christmas. I'm very religious so that's one part, and also I just love the Xmas spirit, the tree, the music, the gingerbread... :) It's so nice.
Christmas has this influence that causes the poor to feel bad and many to go into debt they dont need and the best gift is one given when its not expected!!!

[Druchii]

I dont get it...gifts for why?

Because of the way he looks at them in the toy stores, and the ones that other kids have. :) I mean, I don't go overboard, but I like to buy stuff for people. :) Especially him. He may not understand why or how right now... but it's what my father did with me... and what his father did with him... :)

[Holly Ariadna]

Only if you let it.


That's a great point. To me it's not commercialism, because I don't let that happen. To me it's a wonderful holiday.

[Aelfoak]

Nope i'll be around. We don't do christmas. We celebrate Mid-winter a few days before, a lot of Yule-like traditions but without the comercialism and on a much smaller scale, no gifts either.

I hate being around it all for MONTHS beforehand. There are shops selling decorations and plastic trees already. The best christmas period I ever had was when I lived in Austria, it was truly about religion over there. The kids had no concept of Santa Claus, the christ child brought their presents (a few small token gifts, not half the toy shop). They had more fun than half the kids over here who are bored after a few hours. It was a real family time and a real joy to take part in because it felt like it meant something to the people I was with.

Just a small note

I hate christmas music

It's in all the shops all the time from October onwards and it really gets on my nerves, it doesn't make me jolly, it turns me into a grumpy cynical old goat.

And if i hear Slades 'Merry Christmas Everybody' once more time then i won't be responsible for my actions :bad:

[Celtique]

Christmas is what you make of it Shanti. Each gathering has their own seperate traditions and ways of celebrating being together again. Families spread out across the country are reunited for a short time to enjoy one another's company and be around those they love and miss. The presents are just a way of expressing joy and the desire to give good feelings, to spread the idea and help share how much we care about each other. If the presents weren't there, it wouldn't change the atmosphere most people enjoy. I don't celebrate it as a Christian. I celebrate it as a person greatful to have the loving family and friends I do. The music gets annoying, and yes it's been commercialized...but if you took it all away there would still be the same attitude and emotion that comes with being together. It's just being together.

[Holly Ariadna]

Christmas has this influence that causes the poor to feel bad and many to go into debt they dont need and the best gift is one given when its not expected!!!

Well, too bad for them, they don't see what Christmas is really about. If my only present was a drawing from my little cousins or nieces, I'd be DELIGHTED, that would be the cutest present ever. Will that make anyone poor? Nope. If people wanna go out and buy everything and stress and run around like fools, who am I to stop them? But they need to understand that that's not what Christmas is about.

I give people unexcpected gifts as well. But for things like birthdays, graduations, weddings, and Christmas, I think it's nice to give people gifts as well.

[Shanti]

We have an anual family gathering in summer when the relatives come from California and they all get together here.
Luckly our family doesnt use Christmas time for it.

There are many other times of the year.

[Holly Ariadna]

It seems like we can't change your opinion, Shanti. Just remember that just because you're Pagan doesn't mean you have to be anti-Christian.

[Shanti]

Christmas is what you make of it Shanti. Each gathering has their own seperate traditions and ways of celebrating being together again. Families spread out across the country are reunited for a short time to enjoy one another's company and be around those they love and miss. The presents are just a way of expressing joy and the desire to give good feelings, to spread the idea and help share how much we care about each other. If the presents weren't there, it wouldn't change the atmosphere most people enjoy. I don't celebrate it as a Christian. I celebrate it as a person greatful to have the loving family and friends I do. The music gets annoying, and yes it's been commercialized...but if you took it all away there would still be the same attitude and emotion that comes with being together. It's just being together.
Ummm Christmas is Dec 25, just another day!!!!!
No differant from today!!! :)

[~Anamorata~]

Never liked Christmas...always so busy, so materialistic, and a royal pain in the arse! :blech:

[Aelfoak]

I found this iformation if anyones interested:

Origins of the Christmas Tree:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gifPagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut down evergreen trees in December, moved them into the home or temple and decorated them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23. They noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.

[Ben Trismegistus]

Family picnics are great and get togethers for birthdays and whatever.
Why Christmas? Its full of comercialism. And its Christian.

I dont get it. :(
You don't have to get it. No one's twisting your arm.

[Avalon]

Actually, most of the "secular" and even some of the religious aspects of Christmas have Pagan roots.

[Celtique]

We have an anual family gathering in summer when the relatives come from California and they all get together here.
Luckly our family doesnt use Christmas time for it.

There are many other times of the year.

Of course there are. What difference does it make when we celebrate it? Some people choose Christmas because it's become a tradition. Or maybe it's the only time everyone can get the desired time off. Regardless, when someone celebrates it makes no difference when or where. It's the feelings and ideas that accompany it. I think it's wonderful you celebrate it when you do, but as much as we respect you for your preference...you should respect others for theirs. I'm not saying you don't. Just don't think everyone recognizes Christmas as a time for "Oh boy, I get free crap from everyone else! Sweet!"

It's merely another way for people to do the same thing you do on another day. :hugz:

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I love Christmas, and everything associated with it. It's a way to relieve the bleakness and monotany of winter for many (though winter is my favorite season, so I don't find it bleak or monotous). It's a time where you can really enjoy your family's company and the company of others. Its a time, when all to often people forget brotherhood, that your neighbors and even strangers on the street feel some sort of kinship with each other. It's a shame that people can't be more like this on a regular everyday basis. I buy gifts for my family, not because of the commericialism, not because people expect it, but because I want to. Then again, I do that throughout the year with my son, my husband, and the rest of my family, including my in-laws.

What I'm curious about Shanti, is do feel the same way about buying gifts for birthdays?

[Avalon]

Of course there are. What difference does it make when we celebrate it? Some people choose Christmas because it's become a tradition. Or maybe it's the only time everyone can get the desired time off. Regardless, when someone celebrates it makes no difference when or where. It's the feelings and ideas that accompany it. I think it's wonderful you celebrate it when you do, but as much as we respect you for your preference...you should respect others for theirs. I'm not saying you don't. Just don't think everyone recognizes Christmas as a time for "Oh boy, I get free crap from everyone else! Sweet!"

It's merely another way for people to do the same thing you do on another day. :hugz:
Well said, Celtique. Very well said.

[WitchJezebel]

Well I was raised Catholic so Christmas was a big thing in my house, even though we weren't well off. For us it was about family and friends getting together for food/drink, presents and having a good time in each other's company. Now that I'm an adult, my mother is a Jehovah's Witness, I'm a Pagan, and the rest of the family is more what you'd call Catholic lite, no one really goes to church, but they all believe in God in their own way. I still really love being a part of that, although I do acknowledge Yule in my own home. The crisp winter cold and all the beautiful holiday lights at night, strangers wishing you a happy holidays. I enjoy cooking all day or at least helping a family member cook all day b/c we have 20 people coming over - it's just to be together. I gave up Catholicism but I didn't give up my family and friends; I can't see myself not being a part of those gatherings.

[Shanti]

You don't have to get it. No one's twisting your arm.
Yes true. I just wish I understood. When people here I dont celebrate Christmas they re-act like I'm very strange. Guess I am!!!!

[Druchii]

Ummm Christmas is Dec 25, just another day!!!!!
No differant from today!!! :)


Yeah, true enough. :) But for whatever reason, it's the one day that no one in my family fights. And we are an arguementative bunch o bastards, that I can tell you. :)
But that is like saying that my birthday isn't special. It really isn't to me, but to my mother it was. I was her firstborn. But, I honour and respect her view of that day, even though I loathe the attention I get, the entire aspect, really.
There will always be a commercial aspect to days like that, but each and everyone of us hates it or loves it for our own reasons.
Up until 2 years ago I made no more than $6,700 a year. But I always gave the presents I could by creating them. Now, money isn't an issue for me. But instead of spending it on a lot of materialistic things for me, I can give a lot more people stuff I couldn't before. :)

[Ben Trismegistus]

Yes true. I just wish I understood. When people here I dont celebrate Christmas they re-act like I'm very strange. Guess I am!!!!
Actually, none of us care if you celebrate Christmas or not. It's when you try to argue with us for enjoying it that we get annoyed.

[DebLipp]

I've participated in Christmas my whole life, despite having been raised Jewish and now being Wiccan. I view it as an entirely secular holiday, and it cheers me up during the bleak winter months to decorate the house, put up a tree, play Christmas carols, and give presents to my loved ones.

The story goes like this: We only celebrated Hanukkah in my family for a little while, and when I was about 4 or 5, I marched up to my mother, sang her the entire lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", and pointed out that Santa specifies SLEEPING or AWAKE, and BAD or GOOD, but says absolutely nothing about CHRISTIAN or JEWISH. My mother couldn't find any fault in that argument, so we had Christmas from there on out.

That's the best story EVER.

[Druchii]

I found this iformation if anyones interested:

Origins of the Christmas Tree:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gifPagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut down evergreen trees in December, moved them into the home or temple and decorated them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23. They noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.


Huh, well I'll be damned... :)

[Ben Trismegistus]

That's the best story EVER.
I aim to please. :)

[DebLipp]

I found this iformation if anyones interested:

Origins of the Christmas Tree:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/_themes/topo/topbul1d.gifPagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut down evergreen trees in December, moved them into the home or temple and decorated them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23. They noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.

I don't know where you got that from. It's not quite true. Pagans decorated trees, lit candles, put lights in windows, hung stockings, and exchanged small gifts; all that. But it was Martin Luther who first chopped down a tree and brought it inside.

[*Rain*]

My sister's kids are being brought up in a funny kind of half-hearted christian, half atheist family. They know they will not get gifts from me at christmas. They will always get a birthday present, and when I come home (I go abroad a lot) usually unexpected, that I will always get them something. I make a real effort to get them something traditional or unusual from the country that i've been to. I will always get them random presents too. If I see little things like keyrings or pens with their names on then I buy them and post them unexpectedly. They love it. One made a comment that he loves getting gifts from me because they come at all times of the year and not just at christmas when everyone else gets them stuff. My sister can't figure out how she can spend a few hundred pounds on each of them at christmas and they are bored by lunchtime, when I pitch up with a cheap clockwork penguin that her 3 year old can't live without.

[Shanti]

Actually, none of us care if you celebrate Christmas or not. It's when you try to argue with us for enjoying it that we get annoyed.
I am not trying to argue. I am asking guestions because I sencerely am trying to understand.

But I shall ask no more questions.

[Celestial Lily]

I think it's a shame that so many people see Christmas as being nothing but commercial. There's a lot to enjoy about it.

I love decorating our tree because it's a mismatch of so many different things that we've collected over the years. I love the music because it's so feel good and cheesy. I love seeing the town done up in pretty lights. I love finding strange and unusual gifts to give people. I love watching the old films on TV. I love putting on Santa hats and tinsel to go to the local shop. And I love celebrating with my friends and family.

[Avalon]

I am not trying to argue. I am asking guestions because I sencerely am trying to understand.

But I shall ask no more questions.
Shanti, don't you think you're blowing this a little out of proportion? We're just trying to give you what you asked for - explanations as to why we celebrate Christmas. :whatgives

[Aelfoak]

I don't know where you got that from. It's not quite true. Pagans decorated trees, lit candles, put lights in windows, hung stockings, and exchanged small gifts; all that. But it was Martin Luther who first chopped down a tree and brought it inside.
Here you go

http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm

[DragonsChest]

is that an issue? i thought we, as pagans, were more open minded about other religions than that. the Christian religion actually has some really decent good things about it :) it isn't all commercialism and 'damn ye to hell' despite popular belief ;)

-z

Yep, you said that very well. Thank you for coming to bat for me and my Christian beliefs.

[SilverMaiden]

I celebrate Christmas with my friends and family. We're a very diverse family.

Those in the family that are christian attend their christmas services, those aren't don't and then we all meet up to have dinner and open gifts.

It's usual for those of us in our family that are atheist and pagan to hang out at the house while those that are christian attend services. We socialize, take care of the last minute things and any children that don't go to the services.

[Terestai]

Christmas is the only time that I really feel like part of the crowd... for some reason, no other holiday does that. It's a time when all walks of life come together to celebrate, and any reason to celebrate is good enough for me. :cheers: It's amazing what happens when the lights come on, when there's a tree in the house, when it's warm inside and cold outside. The anticipation and the buildup are intense. Even better than a birthday. :D

I love seeing all my family, and that's the only time I really get to.

[banondraig]

i celebrate with my (mostly Christian) family, because that is one of the times they get together. we draw names out of a hat at thanksgiving to see who gives who gifts so no one's budget gets broken. i tried to explain the no gifts thing to my mom once, but she just thought i was being cheap. i really don't need any more crap, plus i'm weird and hard to buy for anyway. ugh. i have a no gift pact with my Wiccan cousin, though. :smile:

[ApollaJade]

i ditto this!!

-z
I second that ditto!

[DebLipp]

The time of the Winter Solstice is a time of universal Light. Christmas, Chanukkah, Yule, Solstice, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Devali—every religion and culture wants to celebrate the return of light and the emergence of darkness. As American culture becomes more ecumenical, as displays become more "seasonal" and less Christian, a new culture of inclusivity is emerging which I think is absolutely beautiful. More and more, I see people using this time of year to connect and celebrate our commonality rather than our differences.

I celebrate Yule with my Wiccan friends, Chanukkah with my Jewish family, and Christmas with my Christian family. And I don't care what it's called. I usually call it Christmas just because it's the most commonly-understood choice. It's all the same. It's all the return of light, the sharing of love and hope, and the expression of faith that warmth will return to us. Santa, a Pagan god, is a spirit of giving that infuses us all (or can if we're open to Him). Santa imbues us with the desire to give and the love of generosity.

What is wrong with these things? What is wrong with faith, light, giving, celebrating, and putting color and decor in a drab, white landscape.

Christmastime is a time when we can see grumpy adults let down their hair and play and sing and be corny. I love that! I love humorless boss-types throwing back their heads and screaming FIVE GOLDEN RINGS at the top of their lungs. It's about joy.

If it's too commercial, that's because EVERYTHING in this stupid culture of ours is too commercial. It's not the fault of Christmas per se, it's the fault of advertisers and advertising and retailers and stupid Americans who don't know when to put the credit cards away. We can choose to reject that part of it just as we can choose to lead life in a way that feels right to us 12 months a year.

[Shanti]

is that an issue? i thought we, as pagans, were more open minded about other religions than that. the Christian religion actually has some really decent good things about it :) it isn't all commercialism and 'damn ye to hell' despite popular belief ;)

-z
I am about the most open minded person alive!!!!!
I just dont have any christians living in my home so christmas is not part of my family at home.
And no matter what christmas happens to be christian, thats just a fact I pionted out.
I have nothing against the religion.

[DragonsChest]

I love the music, the tv shows and movies, the sights/smells/sounds of Christmas. I love the feeling of finding a gift for someone and knowing how pleased they will be with it and the fact that I thought of them, I love decorating, I love the way I feel closer to the Divine when I celebrate the birth of Jesus (and yes, I know that Dec 25 is very likely not the actual day), I love the way the whole idea of being nicer and kinder to one another doesn't make you out to be a bleeding heart softy. I love the hustle and bustle in the malls and go just to watch people.

I love everything about Christmas.

[Shanti]

There is nothing wrong people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not judging anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just asked why.

[Calen]

I've always celebrated Christmas with my family, and I don't doubt that I always will. As several people have said, Christmas (like any other holiday) is what you make of it. I'll freely admit that I enjoy making, giving and receiving presents, but if a year came when that part of the holiday couldn't happen for some reason, it's not like it would ruin the day for us! I love being with my family, decorating the house, and I *love* Christmas music!
Something that will make this year extra special is that it will be my first Yule. I'll be celebrating both holidays, and while I know they already share a lot, I'm really excited about it! :D

[Shanti]

Why cant I ask questions for the reason of understanding?

I am one person(of many) here who doesnt jump to judgement.
I only ask why do you..simple.
And more whys because I am searching for understanding.

[Holly Ariadna]

I love the way I feel closer to the Divine when I celebrate the birth of Jesus (and yes, I know that Dec 25 is very likely not the actual day)

Yeah, it's not. But it has officially been chosen as the date that you celebrate His birth on, and that's good enough for me. :)

[Ben Trismegistus]

Why cant I ask questions for the reason of understanding?

I am the one person here who doesnt jump to judgement.
I only ask why do you..simple.
And more whys because I am searching for understanding.
Is this nonjudgmental?


Ummm Christmas is Dec 25, just another day!!!!!
No differant from today!!! :)
It's sounds more like you're trying to convince us NOT to celebrate Christmas, than trying to understand why we do.

[WolfWonderess]

I'm not Christian in any way, but my family is, and we celebrate--though more in a non-religious way. Gift-giving, family gatherings, big dinners, Christmas trees, trips down Candycane Lane (down there, any street famous for their Christmas light displays is called Candycane Lane...very cool).

I like it. Not for the religious aspect or the gifts, but because of all the other stuff. I like decorating trees, I like the pretty lights, I like the food, and most of all I like the family aspect. ^_^ It's not a religious thing at all to me...just a neat little magical tradition.

As for the gift thing...we don't do it like a lot of people do. It's more like a few gifts--no stress about shopping, heck most of us don't even care if we get anything or not. XD Gifts are the least of importance--not necessary, but we do it anyway because it's fun. I like getting people stuff. ^_^

[Celtique]

Why cant I ask questions for the reason of understanding?

I am the one person here who doesnt jump to judgement.
I only ask why do you..simple.
And more whys because I am searching for understanding.

I didn't jump to judgement and I explained to you what I do as well as why. :wtf: I hope you understood my post was not judging you or your question. I was merely trying to help.

[DebLipp]

Here you go

http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm

Thanks. I emailed them about it, they're usually very reliable.

[Shanti]

Is this nonjudgmental?


It's sounds more like you're trying to convince us NOT to celebrate Christmas, than trying to understand why we do.
I am trying to understand why I am so differant. Why to me I see another day when no one else does. You are totally mis understanding me and I am being judged.

Where am I being judgemental? Where did I say..your wrong or you shouldnt?
I asked why? Why is a question....a search for understanding.

I can not believe who this has gotten twisted. I never told anyone they were anything for what they think or do. I never passed judgement. I only asked why.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Shanti, you asked us for reasons why we celebrate Christmas, and we gave them to you. Unfortunately it seems like you tore apart all of our reasons. We say we enjoy the family time, and you respond we should/can do it at other times. We say we like to buy your gifts for our family and you say it's all about commercialism. We say we enjoy the season and you say, but it's Christian. That doesn't sound like a person being non-judgemental, that sounds very much like someone who is judging us and our reasons.

And by the way, everyone judges, it's human nature. Even you Shanti. I'm not afraid to admit that I judge everyone and everything they do, I honestly don't see why people are afraid to admit that they do as well. It's just natural.

[Amethyst Rose]

There is not a single Christian in my family (my dad and sister are Athiest, my mom is Agnosic, my husband is Athiest), but I still celebrate Christmas. Religion has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday. It does for a lot of people, yes, but not for me or my family, so to say it's Christian just isn't true for me.
To me, Christmas is about family. It is the one time of year that everyone can get together and celebrate life and family. We give gifts because we love each other and want to give to each other. There is magic in the smile of a loved one on Christmas morning when they open their gifts.
Empathically, the energy of the world at Christmas is so.....awe inspiring. The love radiates in the air. Yes, even while shopping in a packed mall with tons of impatient people. It is truely a joyous time of year.

Edit: And as for why we do it on that particular day, simple, it's Tradition.

[Shanti]

I didn't jump to judgement and I explained to you what I do as well as why. :wtf: I hope you understood my post was not judging you or your question. I was merely trying to help.
I understand your reason as you look at this time you spend with your family as a time for love. Thats what it means to you.

This I can understand.

[equinox2]

We celebrate Yule – does that count? We do the whole fun decorations bit from thanksgiving on, and have gifts under the tree (2 kids – gotta have fun, color, and gifts).

On Yule (Dec 21 this year) we drive to an appropriate place and watch the sunrise (see my sig for the exact time). Then we drive back and open presents, and this year we are having a Saining for the baby (sorta like a baptism, except pagan). Then we’ll have a big reception at our house for all the family members who came. That solstice sunrise tradition I made up years ago as my first attempt at my own spirituality, and predates my paganism (though it fits with Yule very well now). If we had a fireplace we’d decorate a burn a yule log too – maybe after we get a nicer house.

Dec 25 is usually a family get together at my parents or the in-laws, so we go to that as a family thing. The kids got their gifts earlier (on the 21st), so they don’t feel “left out”. Plus, doing our own Yule allows us to have a calmer, more intimate family holiday every year, and not fight about who’s family gets us for Christmas. I still often do presents as part of a gift exchange- that’s fun too. In fact our local pagan group is doing a Yule gift exchange and party on Dec 18th this year.

I like finding any excuse to have a party, decorate, make tasty special foods, and generally live it up.


:dancy: :ringaroun

[Ben Trismegistus]

I am trying to understand why I am so differant. Why to me I see another day when no one else does. You are totally mis understanding me and I am being judged.
Oh bull. No one is judging you. We all told you why we liked Christmas, and you continued to ask. So either you're not listening, or you don't think our reasons are any good. What does it matter if you're different? We like Christmas and you don't. Big deal.

[WitchJezebel]

I am trying to understand why I am so differant. Why to me I see another day when no one else does. You are totally mis understanding me and I am being judged.


Actually, you're not that different. Many people don't celebrate Christmas. Jehovah's Witnesses don't acknowledge 12/25 as anything other than another day. My mother doesn't acknowledge it at all; she hasn't been to a family gathering in over 8 years.

[DebLipp]

Why cant I ask questions for the reason of understanding?

I am the one person here who doesnt jump to judgement.
I only ask why do you..simple.
And more whys because I am searching for understanding.

You are "the one"? I had no idea that (a) you were so incredibly special or that (b) the rest of us sucked so much.

Maybe the fact that you are using these kind of short, inflammatory sentences are why people are reacting defensively.

[Shanti]

You are "the one"? I had no idea that (a) you were so incredibly special or that (b) the rest of us sucked so much.

Maybe the fact that you are using these kind of short, inflammatory sentences are why people are reacting defensively. I got very upset because I was trying to understand. I didnt mean it that way at all. My appoligies.

I have edited it. As that was inappropriate. I shouldnt let my frustrations get to me so. I am made an error.

[Shanti]

Actually, you're not that different. Many people don't celebrate Christmas. Jehovah's Witnesses don't acknowledge 12/25 as anything other than another day. My mother doesn't acknowledge it at all; she hasn't been to a family gathering in over 8 years. I didnt know JW didnt. Thank you for that information. I am often asked if I am Jewish...nothing else, ever.

[DebLipp]

I didnt know JW didnt. Thank you for that information. I am often asked if I am Jewish...nothing else, ever.

Ironically, the reason that JWs don't is because they believe it is Pagan. They don't celebrate individual birthdays, either, and for the same reason.

[Hellenic_Witch]

I normally don't like it too much.. but this year I have a kid. :D I get to buy cool toys for HIM now. :)
That's the best part about Christmas! At least at our house. Kids make Christmas so fun!!

[Cinnamon Girl]

The time of the Winter Solstice is a time of universal Light. Christmas, Chanukkah, Yule, Solstice, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Devali—every religion and culture wants to celebrate the return of light and the emergence of darkness. As American culture becomes more ecumenical, as displays become more "seasonal" and less Christian, a new culture of inclusivity is emerging which I think is absolutely beautiful. More and more, I see people using this time of year to connect and celebrate our commonality rather than our differences.

I celebrate Yule with my Wiccan friends, Chanukkah with my Jewish family, and Christmas with my Christian family. And I don't care what it's called. I usually call it Christmas just because it's the most commonly-understood choice. It's all the same. It's all the return of light, the sharing of love and hope, and the expression of faith that warmth will return to us. Santa, a Pagan god, is a spirit of giving that infuses us all (or can if we're open to Him). Santa imbues us with the desire to give and the love of generosity.

What is wrong with these things? What is wrong with faith, light, giving, celebrating, and putting color and decor in a drab, white landscape.

Christmastime is a time when we can see grumpy adults let down their hair and play and sing and be corny. I love that! I love humorless boss-types throwing back their heads and screaming FIVE GOLDEN RINGS at the top of their lungs. It's about joy.

If it's too commercial, that's because EVERYTHING in this stupid culture of ours is too commercial. It's not the fault of Christmas per se, it's the fault of advertisers and advertising and retailers and stupid Americans who don't know when to put the credit cards away. We can choose to reject that part of it just as we can choose to lead life in a way that feels right to us 12 months a year.

This perfectly articulates how I feel, so I'm not going to add to it. :smile:

[The High Queen of Faerie]

christmas holds no significance for me personally, but since my family celebrates, i spend time with them.

[Lilith79]

We do, out of habit. Always makes me feel odd too.

[DragonsChest]

Shanti, you asked us for reasons why we celebrate Christmas, and we gave them to you. Unfortunately it seems like you tore apart all of our reasons. We say we enjoy the family time, and you respond we should/can do it at other times. We say we like to buy your gifts for our family and you say it's all about commercialism. We say we enjoy the season and you say, but it's Christian. That doesn't sound like a person being non-judgemental, that sounds very much like someone who is judging us and our reasons.

And by the way, everyone judges, it's human nature. Even you Shanti. I'm not afraid to admit that I judge everyone and everything they do, I honestly don't see why people are afraid to admit that they do as well. It's just natural.



Very well said. I was trying to write just that response, but it wasn't coming out anywhere near so eloquent.

[Shanti]

I have messed up and was mis-understood. Sorry.
Sorry.
My appoligies.
I made a mistake.
I didnt ask questions clearly enough.
Sorry.

Anyone want me to say sorry in another way please tell me, I dont want to be mis-understood anymore.

I was sincere. I am sorry I couldnt express myself in away that wasnt offensive.
Never meant any of it to be a negative thing.

As difficult for me as it is to understand, it obviously is equally difficult to express my questions eliquently.
Sorry again.

[Athena-Nadine]

The time of the Winter Solstice is a time of universal Light. Christmas, Chanukkah, Yule, Solstice, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Devali—every religion and culture wants to celebrate the return of light and the emergence of darkness. As American culture becomes more ecumenical, as displays become more "seasonal" and less Christian, a new culture of inclusivity is emerging which I think is absolutely beautiful. More and more, I see people using this time of year to connect and celebrate our commonality rather than our differences.

I celebrate Yule with my Wiccan friends, Chanukkah with my Jewish family, and Christmas with my Christian family. And I don't care what it's called. I usually call it Christmas just because it's the most commonly-understood choice. It's all the same. It's all the return of light, the sharing of love and hope, and the expression of faith that warmth will return to us. Santa, a People god, is a spirit of giving that infuses us all (or can if we're open to Him). Santa imbues us with the desire to give and the love of generosity.

What is wrong with these things? What is wrong with faith, light, giving, celebrating, and putting color and decor in a drab, white landscape.

Christmastime is a time when we can see grumpy adults let down their hair and play and sing and be corny. I love that! I love humorless boss-types throwing back their heads and screaming FIVE GOLDEN RINGS at the top of their lungs. It's about joy.

If it's too commercial, that's because EVERYTHING in this stupid culture of ours is too commercial. It's not the fault of Christmas per se, it's the fault of advertisers and advertising and retailers and stupid Americans who don't know when to put the credit cards away. We can choose to reject that part of it just as we can choose to lead life in a way that feels right to us 12 months a year.
The most eloquent description I've heard thus far. :) You've gotten righ to the heart of my reasons for loving this time of year much better than I could.

[Rianna]

Originally Christmas was supposed to be about love and family. Now it's about Me, Me, Me. It's too commercial now.

[Tsuchimaru]

I guess I do...I see it more as a kinda universal thing rather than religious...

[Holly Ariadna]

Ironically, the reason that JWs don't is because they believe it is Pagan. They don't celebrate individual birthdays, either, and for the same reason.

That's why they don't celebrate birthdays? Wow. I have a JW classmate whose birthday is on the same day as mine (except she was born a year before me) and when it was our birthday and people were singing to us and wishing us a happy birthday she wasn't allowed to say thanks. :twitch: That's crazy.

[Shanti]

The most eloquent description I've heard thus far. :) You've gotten righ to the heart of my reasons for loving this time of year much better than I could.oops.

[Shanti]

Ok back on track. I never met any JW. I didnt know about the birthdays either. I never even thought of a culture or a religion that may not celebrate them. Very interesting.

[Noriohtle]

My Daughter and i celebrate winter... I know that sounds strange but she cant be out much when its cold so we do things together inside things taught by my mother i want to teach my daughter. we do needle work.. we make quilts little crafty things and if we did not have something to do with these things my little Home would be way too full of it... So since the rest of my family is Christian we share these things with them and they all know that my daughter is not allowed anything on that day that is not home made. So we do things sort of an old fashioned way we share of ourselves and what we can do ... not what the all mighty dollar can buy.

[Pol]

I celebrated Christmas until I was 9, when my family (simultaniously) told me Santa wasn't real, and decided that (based on pretty true evidence) Christmas was very far from anything Christian, except for the Catholic church making loopholes for pagan worship.

I personally believe that Christmas was coated with Christianity so that the Church wouldn't have to kill off entire countries as heretics for celebrating pagan holidays, so they acted like it was Christian.

Last year, at the age of 18, I started celebrating Christmas again when I realised that it doesn't matter where it comes from. (this was before my turn to paganism)
For me, Christmas was and always has been a time to eat delicious food, drink good drinks, and have good fun with family and friends. It's about happiness, and celebrating happiness in a time that seems to defy its very existence.

[Holly Ariadna]

I celebrated Christmas until I was 9, when my family (simultaniously) told me Santa wasn't real, and decided that (based on pretty true evidence) Christmas was very far from anything Christian, except for the Catholic church making loopholes for pagan worship.

I personally believe that Christmas was coated with Christianity so that the Church wouldn't have to kill off entire countries as heretics for celebrating pagan holidays, so they acted like it was Christian.

Last year, at the age of 18, I started celebrating Christmas again when I realised that it doesn't matter where it comes from. (this was before my turn to paganism)
For me, Christmas was and always has been a time to eat delicious food, drink good drinks, and have good fun with family and friends. It's about happiness, and celebrating happiness in a time that seems to defy its very existence.

Christmas is a Christian holiday, because we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The 25th of December, however, is not the "correct" date of birth, but it was put there officially because it was close to Yule.

[HappyFire]

I've always celebrated Christmas, even though I grew up atheist. (For what it's worth, I think I only had two "christian" christmases.) So for me, it's always been about decorating the house, having a big dinner, getting together with the extended family (loved playing with my cousins when I was little!) Yes, we exchanged presents, but you know what? During my lifetime, we've had a lot of "lean" years...years where there weren't many presents, but it never took away from it. It wasn't about whether or not we got the coolest most expensive things, it was about family picking out gifts for each other that were meaningful to the person receiving the gift. And a lot of times in my family we make the gifts ourselves. I'm real fond of giving out cookies and hand picked gift baskets. Anyway, I just really like the christmas season, the twinkling lights, decorating the tree, hot chocolate, baking lots of goodies, making cinnamon ornaments for the tree...:D Just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

[Tzhebee]

We "celebrate" Christmas. If you want to call it a celebration. I say we use Santa Day as an excuse to give our friends and family the gifts that we don't throughout the rest of the year.

The core of my family has Christian beliefs (whether baptist, catholic, episcopal, whatever). Therefore, we celebrate christian holidays. My family in town all live within 10 minutes of each other....but we do not see each other more than 2 or 3 times a year. I use Christmas as an excuse to visit my family.

I also like to buy my kids presents. :smile: I just love the look on thier faces as they open things they never thought they would get. Last year, our kids got spoiled by family members, so we didn't bother to get them anything...except a tree.

It's not about the christian belief to me. It's about family and time to gather together in "ritual" and love and put our differences aside for at least a few hours.

And like Shanti said, Dec 25 is just another day....it just happens to be the day our family comes together. And if the rest of my family says it's in celebration of the birth of Christ, then fine. I say it's just a family reunion in Dec.

So the simpliest answer I can give is this: I celebrate my family. I just happen to celebrate my family on Christmas. And the gifts? They are just an added bonus. :smile:

And if anyone (Shanti included) doesn't understand something I wrote, please feel free to ask for clarification.

[Shanti]

I also like to buy my kids presents. :smile: I just love the look on thier faces as they open things they never thought they would get. Last year, our kids got spoiled by family members, so we didn't bother to get them anything...except a tree.

It's not about the christian belief to me. It's about family and time to gather together in "ritual" and love and put our differences aside for at least a few hours.

And like Shanti said, Dec 25 is just another day....it just happens to be the day our family comes together. And if the rest of my family says it's in celebration of the birth of Christ, then fine. I say it's just a family reunion in Dec.

So the simpliest answer I can give is this: I celebrate my family. I just happen to celebrate my family on Christmas. And the gifts? They are just an added bonus. :smile:

And if anyone (Shanti included) doesn't understand something I wrote, please feel free to ask for clarification. I never thought of it as you put it, "together in "ritual" and love" that puts an understanding to it that I can understand!!!!!! :)
The word tradition wasnt working because I think of a lot of traditions that many people break. Ritual puts a differant twist in there that works better with my brain.

Thank you TZ very much.

[AuroraSilvermist]

We do a wonderful family ritual on Yule, and we give each other small, meaningful gifts. Our Yule ritual is really the highlight of the season for me and Draconis. :)

My family, and hubby's family, are all Christian. We celebrate Christmas with them, and that's also when we do our main gift exchanges (my family comes over to our house on Christmas Eve, and we go to theirs Christmas Day...it's tradition). I love the season, I love giving gifts, and, although I'm Pagan, I relate to Jesus and the story of his birth, whether it's a fable or not, so it makes sense to me to celebrate Christmas. Also, our kids have divided their religious education between Christian and Pagan, and we plan to let them learn all they can about various religions and choose whatever suits them. They still enjoy the story of Jesus' birth, so I would never make them give that up.

To me, the time surrounding Christmas and Yule is the Yuletide season. It's not just a day.

[Hellenic_Witch]

I am no longer Christian, but grew up in a Christian family where Christmas was and is very important. Apart from its religious meaning, Christmas is a special time (at least for me).
I remember almost every Christmas from my childhood. I remember the excitement and the thrill of wondering what Santa Clause would bring. It just felt so magical to my young mind.
So I celebrate Christmas because I want my children to have that same feeling. And those feelings are few and far between in the "every day". I feel creating those memories for my kids is my gift to them. I love the way their eyes light up as they create their wish lists. Even more importantly, I love the way my usually bickering kids suddenly become thoughtful and kind as they choose the gifts that they will give to others.
The holiday still feels special to me even though now it is for different reasons.

My brain can certainly see the logic behind the statement "It's just another day". But, my heart can not. It is still wonderful for me and I don't really want to analyze it to death trying to understand why. It just is.

I may not participate in the religious or original meaning of Christmas. I may or may not agree that it is over commercialized. I mean, come on. What isn't over commercialized today? Simply put, I adore my children so much that I enjoy participating in a holiday that provides them with special memories that they can have with them forever.

And, yes I know that I can do that in other ways on other days. I do. I'm a pretty creative parent and do alot of fun things with my kids. But they love Christmas and so do I.

[Pol]

Christmas is a Christian holiday, because we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The 25th of December, however, is not the "correct" date of birth, but it was put there officially because it was close to Yule.

Sort of. Was there even an actual celebration before hand? Not to mention, it's not really ordained ;)
It's a Christian holiday that was used to cover many different traditions from many different cultures. What is Christian about the certain practices involved in Christmas?

[Tullip Troll]

We have the 12 days of yule...we gather with the larger family on the eve and day of Christmas (day 4 and 5 for us)...we give them a gift each day of yule and they get a mess of presents on Christmas day...however we don't do the Jesus part..Its all Hulda and Santa and us...
Every evening we light a candle on the special holder we made...each night another candle until all 12 are lit it looks like a rising sun when we are done...it's very cool...12 day gifts have to be gifts of thought and you have to explain why you gave it.

MheraPAi

We do Christmas still because we love being part of our family on their special days as well...

[~BEBZ~]

We celebrate Christmas without Christ.
Mostly just for the kids and our family.
It's a nice time to give presents to ppl and show them you care.

I truly hate Christmas.
Not for religious reasons or anything but because something really bad always happens at that time. One yr. a trucker ran into a telephone pole and it crashed into our home. Just lots of really bad things like that.

This yr. we are going to buy presents for our parents and stuff at Christmastime but we are going to start celebrating our family Christmas in Jan. considering one sons birthday is Dec.1st, my husbands is Dec. 10th, and my other sons is Dec. 30th. This way they don't have to compete with a holiday to get the attention they deserve, we don't have to go into bankruptcy and we can use our tax return to get a lot more Christmas presents than we would normally.

[djc114]

My entire family is Catholic. I am the only witch. Everyone but my grandparents knows I'm a witch.
I celebrate Christmas as a time to get together with my family and friends and share love and peace amonst them. I do exchange presents because it makes people happy and I like to make others happy. Also, my uncle's birthday is Christmas Eve so he gets birthday presents as well. I don't go to mass or have a nativity scene. I do decorate and have a tree but everything is decorated for winter in blues & silvers & purples with ribbons and glitter.

[Yvonne Belisle]

We celebrate it as the season of giving. My kids like getting stuff but for us it is more what we can give back. Presents don't have to cost money they have to come from the heart. That is our biggest rule and we will move it to whatever day we can all be together on. The exact day isn't important to us it is the spirit of togetherness that we create that is. Plus we celebrate it in honor of those members of our family that have given service to that faith and as a way to connect with those who have gone before us. Since I am half jewish and half christian by heritage we celebrate both for those reasons. It is a link between our beliefs and theirs a common tie.

[mara]

Last year we opened presents on winter solstice because that's when my husband's day off was..we had sun ornaments on the tree along with the usual christmas ones..My only objection to Christmas is the incredible pressure to spend too much money..we're still paying for last year on our credit cards..I deeply regret not making this holiday more about being together and celebrating something profound, instead of getting the kids every expensive piece of plastic on the market that will end up in the trash in a few months. We have been doing things a little differently, but It's just too much..by our own doing.

[DragonsChest]

we're still paying for last year on our credit cards...


That used to be a big problem for us. The only way we get around it is to put money away every month in a Christmas Club account: what's in that account is all we have to spend. It can be tough, but I feel it's worth it. And it keeps everything in perspective, that it's not all about the goodies. So far it's been pretty good, it's been working for the last 10-15 years.

Good Luck!! :cutesanta

[Flaire-FireStar]

Yes. My family always has, and I'm not going to drop out of doing that just because I don't believe.

[tygherrayn]

I don't celebrate Christmas as a holiday that celebrates Christ's supposed birth. But I do celebrate Yule as a holiday in which we exchange gifts with our friends and family. Yule is supposed to be a time to share the joy and wonder of the season in which the light is slowly returning to the earth, bringing the promise of rebirth and regrowth.

Jason and I also do often spend Christmas day with his parents. It's a nod to their beliefs, a way of showing that we respect them even if they're not the same as ours.

[tygherrayn]

I've participated in Christmas my whole life, despite having been raised Jewish and now being Wiccan. I view it as an entirely secular holiday, and it cheers me up during the bleak winter months to decorate the house, put up a tree, play Christmas carols, and give presents to my loved ones.

The story goes like this: We only celebrated Hanukkah in my family for a little while, and when I was about 4 or 5, I marched up to my mother, sang her the entire lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", and pointed out that Santa specifies SLEEPING or AWAKE, and BAD or GOOD, but says absolutely nothing about CHRISTIAN or JEWISH. My mother couldn't find any fault in that argument, so we had Christmas from there on out.
Hahaha! That's so adorable! I can totally see myself ... had I been raised a little Jewish girl .. doing something like that.

[tygherrayn]

Its starting to sound very gift driving!!!!!!!
I don't understand, Shanti, why you are so against giving gifts to the people you love?

[Arinya]

I celebrate Christmas because my family and my SO's family are Christian and celebrate Christmas. I suppose if we ever have children we will give them gifts because if they go to school and say, "I didn't get anything for Christmas" they'll think we are terrible parents...

However, if giving gifts was something that could be done on a reward base all year round (do a certain number of chores, get a certain grade in school, read a certain number of pages or books, etc.) I would give gifts/rewards for that and forget Christmas. Christmas if a reward of gifts for nothing really...I mean honestly...does anyone give there kids a lump of coal for Christmas? Hmm...

[halfwaynowhere]

My family recognizes no religion. We celebrate a "winter holiday" that out of tradition, just happens to fall on the 25th, and involves a tree and stockings and presents. Its just a thing to do each year, we have never actually used it for religous purposes. In fact, for awhile we just called it Santa Claus Day. So many of the christmas traditions were originally pagan anyways...

[rain_fallen_tears]

I love giving presents and receiving them, and Christmas is a good excuse:D....besides most of my family are Christians....so why not? I'm not against Christianity...and its not like I pray to a statue of baby Jesus....but I do love the tree, the stockings, the family time, the lights, and the gifts and I wouldn't deny the people I love the pleasure the non-religious points of Christmas.:rolleyes:

[Charise]

I found this.. and thought it to be interesting:

The following is a quote from the Encyclopedia Brittanica, Volume 11 ; page 390.

"During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a 'solar monotheism.' Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of Solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar seities.

The feast of Sol and Victus (open unconquered Sun) on December 25th was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ." !!

The Christians were trying to get more converts So they adapted a pagan holiday to their worship to appease the pagans in 336 AD

here's the source:
http://www.greaterthings.com/JeanKellySharp/Christmas_Easter.htm

ETA: warning: the source is very anti-pagan aparently..and they truly believe it was originally a pagan holiday and that Christians should not be celebrating it.

[Yasmine Galenorn]

Long, long before Christianity, cultures were celebrating midwinter holidays. Yule and Saturnilia are the two best known of those.

I don't celebrate Christmas, because I do see the concept as Christian (at least the philosophy) but we celebrate Yule--the winter solstice--and since so many of the traditions have Pagan origins, I have no problem with using them. We have a tree (we prefer artificial rather than cutting one down every year--just our way, and it seems to gather energy for each year's celebration). I love the lights and the ornaments--I prefer a Victorian look to it. I love decorating the house, and buying gifts for friends--not because it's commercial, but because I want them to have something special I picked out for them. When we were poor, we MADE gifts, and didn't feel worse for it. Now, I buy gifts and tuck them away throughout the year--oh, that would be perfect for my sister, and that for my friend...and come the season, then I wrap them and give them because I know they will be appreciated. I always try to match a gift to the person I'm giving it to.

When I was a child, Christmas was the one time of year my family actually could sit down without too much arguing. The one time of year my stepfather was relatively sane to be around. When I was 13, my mother got into the Jehovah's Witnesses and we stopped celebrating EVERYthing...I was already treated like scum at school, that just made things worse. And when I left home, I tried to celebrate but felt very odd about it...it took me years to be comfortable accepting presents, though I could buy them for other people. My ex had no desire to celebrate anything, including our anniversary.

Soooo...when I left him, I decided I would celebrate those things that meant a lot to me and one was Yule (was long Pagan by then), and the fact that I loved the ornaments and sparkling lights ...well, since I loved them and they represented light in the presence of darkness to me, and hope and friendship, I incorporated them all back in.

Now, we go all out--in true style. Parties for friends who we seldom get to see because of busy schedules, intimate dinners together by the lights of the tree, watching the kitties tear open the catnip toys, which is so much fun that I can't imagine the holiday without their 'pressies'...and I admit--I love the presents, but because of what all of it represents to me--togetherness, friendship, and joy.

So do I celebrate Christmas? No, I'll leave that to the Christians, after all, their legends are as important to them as mine are to me. But do I celebrate the winter holidays? You better believe it.

Yasmine

[Charise]

Last one I promise..lol

I use to think I was a Christian...and the most magical and most amazing holiday ever to me was Christmas... until I came across a few sites last year telling me (as a Christian) that I was going agains my religion.... This discovery was a huge turning point for me in my path...

It was this information that made me open my eyes and rethink... and begin to realize... I'm not Christian afterall... rather..I'm a pagan.. *shrugs*

my last source for you ;)
http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm

[Yvonne Belisle]

I celebrate Christmas because my family and my SO's family are Christian and celebrate Christmas. I suppose if we ever have children we will give them gifts because if they go to school and say, "I didn't get anything for Christmas" they'll think we are terrible parents...

However, if giving gifts was something that could be done on a reward base all year round (do a certain number of chores, get a certain grade in school, read a certain number of pages or books, etc.) I would give gifts/rewards for that and forget Christmas. Christmas if a reward of gifts for nothing really...I mean honestly...does anyone give there kids a lump of coal for Christmas? Hmm...



Yes we do lumps of coal and switches. Plus oranges in the stockings when they are good.

[{Tigress}]

I've participated in Christmas my whole life, despite having been raised Jewish and now being Wiccan. I view it as an entirely secular holiday, and it cheers me up during the bleak winter months to decorate the house, put up a tree, play Christmas carols, and give presents to my loved ones.

The story goes like this: We only celebrated Hanukkah in my family for a little while, and when I was about 4 or 5, I marched up to my mother, sang her the entire lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", and pointed out that Santa specifies SLEEPING or AWAKE, and BAD or GOOD, but says absolutely nothing about CHRISTIAN or JEWISH. My mother couldn't find any fault in that argument, so we had Christmas from there on out.

That is precious! My husband is Jewish, and only got to celebrate Christmas when a friend of the family "Uncle Pat" was living in NJ -- Uncle Pat being Catholic. He absolutely LOVES celebrating Christmas with my family now -- he's the world's oldest kid, I think.

And yes, that means I celebrate Christmas, Shanti. I don't use any religios decorations though and prefer stars to any other holiday symbol. I guess I do it because I truly enjoy the holidays and don't have any Pagan friends to celebrate Yule with anymore. Plus, there is NOTHING I like better than seeing my family open their gifts that I've spent months picking out for them. I absolutely LOVE gift giving. Oh and did I mention I have a fetish for wrapping paper? LOL

[Dallin]

How many of you that are not in any way Christian, celebrate Christmas and why?
By 'celebrate' I mean.... 'partisipate' or 'give/receive presants' or do 'anything' that you dont normally do on a regular day.

I am not Christian, not even a little bit.
I dont partisapate period. Family knows not to even call us.
We dont allow any presants period. The one aunt that likes to buy for our kids does so but gives them in spring in spring colored wrapping.
We dont do anything Christmas wise.

I wonder if on Dec 25th I will have company on MW to talk about anything other than Christmas.
I celebrate it! It's a time when people enjoy being with one another. It's a time when people are (usually) nice to one another. It's a time when people give presents to one another... what's not to celebrate???

[HeavensHope]

I'm an ex christian...lol...i'm also an ex luthern and ex buddhist. Wouldnt call myself a pagan either...still finding the RIGHT path for me. I celebrate christmas because half of my half are christians..plus i'm in it for the food..the gifts dont hurt either..hehe but mainly the yummy food I dont have to cook. =) I dont really believe in thanksgiving either, celebrating the false friendship of the native americans and european settlers just before the settlers decided to oppress the native people. Again, I'm only in it for the food.

[Avalon]

I'm only in it for the food.

I'm out of karma or you would've gotten a :fpoke: This gave me a good laugh! :lol:

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I mean honestly...does anyone give there kids a lump of coal for Christmas? Hmm...

My parents did...and if I can get my hands on some, I will too.

[Ulu]

I celebrate Christmas to be with my sister and her family and join in the happy occasion. Yes I receive and give gifts.

I was very touched when last Yule my sister who's very Christian gave me a small gift on Yule.

[aluokaloo]

Yeah of course we celebrate christmas, I enjoy getting together with my family to chow down, spend time together, get my presents and see their faces when they get theirs.

[ap Dafydd]

I am not Christian, not even a little bit.
I dont partisapate period. Family knows not to even call us.
We dont allow any presants period. The one aunt that likes to buy for our kids does so but gives them in spring in spring colored wrapping.
We dont do anything Christmas wise.

I wonder if on Dec 25th I will have company on MW to talk about anything other than Christmas.

Bah, humbug!

I think that for most people, whatever their religion or with none at all, Christmas is a festival that's completely devoid of any religious content at all. It's surrounded with its own rituals, shopping for presents, putting up decorations, going to the works do, feasting, giving presents, and spending time with family.

In a way, I feel almost (almost, I'm not going soft here, folks) sorry for Christians at this time: they are trying to celebrate spiritually at a time when everyone else is enjoying a secular feast.

Having Yule is much better, it falls just close enough to be part of the festivities and just far enough away to do the spiritual thing and then get on with the fun part

gwyn eich byd

Ffred (who sold his soul to Santa years ago!)

[~ Monk ~]

I don't celebrate per se, but I do take part in the festivities - gift exchanging, etc. My birthday is on Xmas Eve and often gets "combined" with Xmas so it's hard to avoid. I can still get into the spirit of things if not the deeper meaning. ;)

[Terestai]

I don't celebrate per se, but I do take part in the festivities - gift exchanging, etc. My birthday is on Xmas Eve and often gets "combined" with Xmas so it's hard to avoid. I can still get into the spirit of things if not the deeper meaning. ;)

My brother has the same thing, only his birthday is the day after... growing up, we were always sure to keep the two days as separate as possible, though few people outside of our family practiced that. I've always thought that would suck. :woah:

[semi]

I was born on Winter Solstice. I celebrate that.

[samiaminsane]

I love Christmas! No one in my family is Christian, but we all still celebrate. I love getting to see all of my family, I go nuts buying presents for everyone and heh, receiving gifts isn't too bad either.

[Cev'aq]

My family and I celebrate the whole Christmas season, not just Christmas day. :) In my family, it's never been particularly religious, nor has it been particularly commercial. I truly enjoy the whole production of it all. :lol:

[Yvonne Belisle]

One of our favorite traditions is the night before Christmas while the kids are asleep I take all but my angel, lights and garland off the tree and it is replaced with edibles, candy canes of every flavor, ribbon candy, cookies, licorice ect. The first year we did this with my husband he stepped back from the tree and the look on his face was priceless. We let the kids in the neighborhood grab a treat from time to time as well. Last year my friend decorated the pine outside of her home with bird treats and deer treats. I am going to add something like that to our own traditions as well. We may not have deer but we have birds and squirrels.

[Cappy]

I celebrate because it means a lot to my mom. That and I think that any reason to share love is a good one.

[Caeridwynn]

I celebrate Christmas. And I am in no way Christian. I celebrate it because the Yule season has always been a very magickal one for me. I love getting together with family and giving presents, eating big dinners and spending time together. We don't ALWAYS do this on the 25th, it's usually a couple of weeks of this type of thing, hence "Yule season".

[zakzekezedd]

I am in retail...so from the day after Thanksgiving until Jan 3 or so, I am buried up to my eyeballs in Christmas this and Christmas that....argh!!!! Do I celebrate? only that the abomination of the Christmas retail season is O-V-E-R! Odd thing is, I was never a big Christmas person after I got out on my own. Never seemed to be a lot of point?

[HeavensHope]

hey what happened to my karma points? i only have 25!

[Earth Song]

I celebrate the Yule and kind of a Christmas. As I stated in my intro, I have two kids, so XMas presents are a happening thing in my house. I feel that the whole XMas thing has been so commercialized that it honestly isn't really a Christian holiday any more. Of coures, I have never been a Christian, but this is just my opinion.

[Llewyth]

We have Yule and Christmas. My hubby is Christian so we do it all!

[Nightmelody]

I was raised Catholic, and Christmas was a huge family celebration, with tons of cousins around, yummy food, new toys--Santa was a big part of it when I was little. Our family wasn't wealthy, and I don't even remeber many specific gifts. What I do remember is baking cookies, making pies, stringing gumdrops and popcorn for the tree, card games with dad, taking drives to see the lights...

Later I joined a religious group somewhat similar to Jehovah's Witness, that did not celebrate Christmas because of its pagan roots, though we could have a 'family' celebration...hubby and I did that until we had kids. I always missed celebrating Christmas, though. After the kids we decided we wanted them to have the type of memories we had from our childhood, plus we wanted them to know their grandparents and cousins, so we made more efforts to join our families for holidays and celebrate with them.

We do a traditional secular type Christmas, with the tree, decorating, baking, gift giving. The religious aspects mean little to our family. I love making and giving gifts, baking, I love shopping for the kids. As far as commercialism, I have a reasonable budget, and we make alot of gifts.

I know there are poor families out there, and we do endeavor to donate toys and do the Angel tree every year. We had some lean years in the past, now that things are better it is nice to be able to help someone.

For me, I do see a spiritual aspect of a Winter Solstice celebration, of bringing light and joy, celebrating life and loved ones during the darkest, coldest time of the year(where I live winters are harsh.) I see it as a holiday that celebrates family. And the baby Jesus story, I see that as a celebration of family, too. Doesn't bother me!

[WynterWynd]

Yes true. I just wish I understood. When people here I dont celebrate Christmas they re-act like I'm very strange. Guess I am!!!! I don't think your strange for not celebrating the christian version of the holiday....after all, why would you be celebrating jesus birth.
And I don't think your strange for not celebrating the 'commercialized version' of he has the most crap under the tree wins either.......thats entirely your choice.

What I do think is strange, is your seemingly demanding tone that everyone justify their reasons to you for celebrating 'that season'. It is after all a personal choice. And whether you agree with it or not, is not going to change people veiws of that holiday.

I was raised in a Catholic home, and I would have to say that with the exception of my grandmother, it was a 'church only' type of catholic family...the only time we were catholic was in church;) so even as a child, it never had a jesus connotation for me., but it always had presents and a tree and lights and all the 'trappings' of the holiday....which I love to this day. Xmas and Halloween were my fathers favorite holidays, and I know he is one of the main reasons I love those two so much.

Why do I give presents on that holiday? Because I want to:smile: Why do I put up a tree.....string lights, bake like I'm Betty Crockers clone......because I want to.
Why do I celebrate it on that day...well other than the fact that is when my hubby has a few days off, the kids are out of school....its because thats when I have celebrated it all my life. Its ingrained in me.....thats the simple fact.
All the supposed commercialised trappings of xmas, were pilfered from pagan holidays anyway.

Yule, derived from the Anglo-Saxon "Yula," or "Wheel of the Year" and marked the celebration of both the shortest day of the year and the re-birth of the Sun. ........and don't most people celbrate a 'birth-day' with presents? The modern practice of gift giving evolved from the Pagan tradition of hanging gifts on the Yule tree as offerings to the various Pagan Gods and Goddesses.
The custom of burning the Yule Log, the Yule-associated tradition that is most familiar to people today, was performed to honour the Great Mother Goddess.
Decorating the Yule tree was also originally a Pagan custom. Brightly coloured decorations would be hung on the tree, usually a pine, to symbolize the various stellar objects which were of significance to the Pagans - the sun, moon, and stars - and also to represent the souls of those who had died in the previous year.

The reasons why we celebrate it, be it on that day exactly or on the 21st are entirely up to that specific person...just as you are free to not celebrate it at all, thats your choice.....and your opinion.;)
But I don't think any of us who choose to celebrate it any form should be made to feel like we must explain ourselves.......and that is just my opinion.

:fpeace:

[Gwenhwyfar]

I don't think your strange for not celebrating the christian version of the holiday....after all, why would you be celebrating jesus birth.
And I don't think your strange for not celebrating the 'commercialized version' of he has the most crap under the tree wins either.......thats entirely your choice.

What I do think is strange, is your seemingly demanding tone that everyone justify their reasons to you for celebrating 'that season'. It is after all a personal choice. And whether you agree with it or not, is not going to change people veiws of that holiday.

I was raised in a Catholic home, and I would have to say that with the exception of my grandmother, it was a 'church only' type of catholic family...the only time we were catholic was in church;) so even as a child, it never had a jesus connotation for me., but it always had presents and a tree and lights and all the 'trappings' of the holiday....which I love to this day. Xmas and Halloween were my fathers favorite holidays, and I know he is one of the main reasons I love those two so much.

Why do I give presents on that holiday? Because I want to:smile: Why do I put up a tree.....string lights, bake like I'm Betty Crockers clone......because I want to.
Why do I celebrate it on that day...well other than the fact that is when my hubby has a few days off, the kids are out of school....its because thats when I have celebrated it all my life. Its ingrained in me.....thats the simple fact.
All the supposed commercialised trappings of xmas, were pilfered from pagan holidays anyway.

Yule, derived from the Anglo-Saxon "Yula," or "Wheel of the Year" and marked the celebration of both the shortest day of the year and the re-birth of the Sun. ........and don't most people celbrate a 'birth-day' with presents? The modern practice of gift giving evolved from the Pagan tradition of hanging gifts on the Yule tree as offerings to the various Pagan Gods and Goddesses.
The custom of burning the Yule Log, the Yule-associated tradition that is most familiar to people today, was performed to honour the Great Mother Goddess.
Decorating the Yule tree was also originally a Pagan custom. Brightly coloured decorations would be hung on the tree, usually a pine, to symbolize the various stellar objects which were of significance to the Pagans - the sun, moon, and stars - and also to represent the souls of those who had died in the previous year.

The reasons why we celebrate it, be it on that day exactly or on the 21st are entirely up to that specific person...just as you are free to not celebrate it at all, thats your choice.....and your opinion.;)
But I don't think any of us who choose to celebrate it any form should be made to feel like we must explain ourselves.......and that is just my opinion.

:fpeace:


Thats my opinion too. :flowers: ...and I love christmas, everything about it. Most of all the rum and egg nog.....now you got me wishing for christmas!!!

[HorseCrow]

No one in my family, including myself, is christian. But we do celebrate Christmas- not in the birth of christ style, but in the family-getogether style. At christmas everyone has time off from work, it is after all the christmas holidays and one of the only times during the year where the whole family can get together. I add my own pagan touch to the celebrations, which everyone finds very refreshing.

Oh, and in my language Christmas is called Jul, pronounced Yule :)

[ValiantKnight]

We don't do anything for xmas, But we do go to are relatives just to chat and pigout.

[MorningDove030202]

We used to visit family for Christmas, but I also have some traditions I do on Solstice morning. I usaly get up realy early and light all the candles and play this solstice CD by Mother Toung. When the sun has risen, we put out the candles. I have another CD of rewritten Christmas songs with the same tune, but with Pagan words. I haven't decided when we should open presents, I think I might do like one or two presents of a home made or of a spiritual nature on Solstice. The rest of the presents are for Christmas Day. We do a tree too, though I've decided I need to get a real tree this year, we might get one with roots and plant it, but I've heard that they are heavy, and it's hard to dig a hole in winter..... so I duno.... I"m conflicted on the tree situation...

As far as Christmas cards go, I send a few Yule cards to some close Pagan friends, but the non pagan family gets Thanksgivingday cards, instead. This way I get them sent out before the Holday Rush, and it's a holiday we all cellebrate.

Dove

[Golden Princess]

we like, we like to party :drinking: :drinking: