Christmas for Non-Christians

[czyz]

This thread's purpose is to share how non-Christians celebrate Christmas or the Christmas season. Christmas as we know it was founded as a pagan celebration at the winter solstice that looked forward to the end of winter.

Christianity has influenced the celebration and what we have today is an amalgamation of traditions. Christmas for me now, as a former Christian, is a time of goodwill toward others, spending time with family, building family traditions, good food, and decorations. I've begun to appreciate especially the decorations, color, and pageantry of all of it.

How do you celebrate Christmas and are there traditions you can share?

[Divine Insight]

I celebrate a pagan Yule which is both the secular new year beginning with the Winter Solstice. But I also celebrate the cycle of the God and Goddess. The Goddess gives birth to the new God at the winter solstice. So it's a birthday party for the newly born God too. But psychologically it really just means a new year is born. The winter solstice is actually my "New Year". It's the official astronomical new year. The New Year celebrated on January first is just a social New Year.

I enjoy the glitter of lights and stuff too. Why not? It's an artistic thing to do.

[Darias]

[Replying to post 1 by czyz]

I still call it Christmas, although I understand it to be a commercialized version of what was originally a pagan tradition. I usually leave my mom and sister to decorate the tree, but that's due to laziness, not atheism. I still exchange presents with family. It's a fun holiday... why not celebrate it?

I have however stopped engaging in a family tradition of communion, out of respect for them and for me. I also don't sit around and listen to the story of the birth of Jesus anymore. This usually takes place on Christmas Eve. Sometimes communion happens on New Years Eve, but usually it's just snacks and sparkling grape juice or wine.

[OnceConvinced]

For me personally it's a time to spend with family, give gifts and eat turkey and other awesome things. No longer is Jesus part of my celebrations, although if my parents are involved (which is generally the case) they like to have their little religious ritual of a prayer before the meal - as they do before every meal. I just go along with their wishes and let them conduct their little religous ritual, then it's time to indulge!

Mmmmmm Turrrrrrkeeeeeee.

[cnorman18]

My wife and I enjoy a traditional Jewish Christmas; we go out for Chinese food and then go to the movies....