Do you celebrate Christmas

[We Never Know]

Main question.... If you celebrate Christmas, what is the reason or reasons why you celebrate it?

Being Christmas is both political and religious I wasn't sure which one to put this in.. So general debates won

 

[Eddi]

I always say "Merry Christmas!"

And I call the fat beardy guy who goes down chimneys Father Christmas, never Santa Claus

Father Christmas is a less commercialised name for him, it hasn't been appropriated by purveyors of black sugary caffinated water

 

[We Never Know]

I always say "Merry Christmas!"

And I call the fat beardy guy who goes down chimneys Father Christmas, never Santa Claus

Father Christmas is a less commercialised name for him, it hasn't been appropriated by purveyors of black sugary caffinated liquid

Do you have reason(s) why you celebrate Christmas?

 

[MikeF]

I celebrate Christmas because my wife says so.

Beyond that, as a dominant cultural event, celebrated by all of my wife and I's extended family and most of friends' families, one has to almost make a concerted effort to *not* celebrate it in some way. Having children adds to the cultural pressure to participate as well.

I would add that it is rather easy to participate in a secular, non-religious way if the religious underpinning are not believed or shared in some way.

 

[Eddi]

Do you have reason(s) why you celebrate Christmas?

Tradition I suppose

Also I enjoy it all very much

It lights up the darkness of winter

Nice food too

 

[ChristineM]

We have celebrated Christmas in the past, we tried to give the children a taste of different cultures. They have settled on Saturnalia for the simple mercenary reason that they get more presents.

So we say "Io Saturnalia*

We will also say...
"Merry Christmas and a happy new year",
or "Bonne fete"
or "Joyeux noël"
or "Bonne année"
to those who do celebrate Christmas.

 

[We Never Know]

We have celebrated Christmas in the past, we tried to give the children a taste of different cultures. They have settled on Saturnalia for the simple mercenary reason that they get more presents.

So we say "Io Saturnalia*

We will also say...
"Merry Christmas and a happy new year",
or "Bonne fete"
or "Joyeux noël"
or "Bonne année"
to those who do celebrate Christmas.

Doesn't Saturnalia have something to do with the god Saturn?

 

[McBell]

Christmas is a good excuse for a whole bunch of food and a family and friends gathering.

Presents, religion, etc. to each their own.

 

[David1967]

I just say, "HI."

 

[ChristineM]

Doesn't Saturnalia have something to do with the god Saturn?

Yes it was the Roman mid winter celebration

 

[Vinayaka]

What's Christmas?

 

[We Never Know]

Yes it was the Roman mid winter celebration

Forgive me for saying so but I find it odd that an atheist who doesn't believe in gods and doesn't celebrate christmas for the christian god... Celebrates it for a roman god.

 

[mangalavara]

What's Christmas?

I think it’s a Greek holiday originally called Chrism Day. A man in a fine red robe visits families and pours chrism or consecrated oil on the children at the front door. He also gives them three oranges, from what I recall. They have their holidays, we have our holidays.

 

[Vinayaka]

I think it’s a Greek holiday originally called Chrism Day. A man in a fine red robe visits families and pours chrism or consecrated oil on the children at the front door. He also gives them three oranges, from what I recall. They have their holidays, we have our holidays.

Another day to prepare for Thai Pusam, then?

 

[SalixIncendium]

If you celebrate Christmas, what is the reason or reasons why you celebrate it?

For me it's perfectly secular for my daughter and granddaughter.

I even dress up as Santa. Here's a photo from last year...

 

[Orbit]

Main question.... If you celebrate Christmas, what is the reason or reasons why you celebrate it?

Being Christmas is both political and religious I wasn't sure which one to put this in.. So general debates won

I love Christmas as a traditional cultural holiday, but I don't celebrate it in the religious sense. I celebrate it because I grew up with it, and love everything about it. We put up a tree, have a nice meal, and exchange gifts. I wish people a Merry Christmas if they are Christian, and Happy Holidays if they are not. I have two sets of Christmas cards that I send out also, one with "Merry Christmas" and a religious theme, and one with "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" with a non-religious design. most often a card with famous art on it, like a winter scene from a Japanese wood block print (this year).

 

[Debater Slayer]

I don't celebrate it, because it's not part of my culture or upbringing and otherwise holds no significance for me. I send my friends who celebrate it Christmas wishes, though.

 

[mangalavara]

Another day to prepare for Thai Pusam, then?

Yes. Thai Pusam isn’t very far after it. I hope that it is a great occasion for you, yours, and your community.

Siwaratri on the Balinese Saka Calendar is also not far after it. This year, Hari Raya Saraswati will come shortly before that Greek holiday.

 

[ChristineM]

Forgive me for saying so but I find it odd that an atheist who doesn't believe in gods and doesn't celebrate christmas for the christian god... Celebrates it for a roman god.

See my post #6

 

[We Never Know]

I love Christmas as a traditional cultural holiday, but I don't celebrate it in the religious sense. I celebrate it because I grew up with it, and love everything about it. We put up a tree, have a nice meal, and exchange gifts. I wish people a Merry Christmas if they are Christian, and Happy Holidays if they are not. I have two sets of Christmas cards that I send out also, one with "Merry Christmas" and a religious theme, and one with "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" with a non-religious design. most often a card with famous art on it, like a winter scene from a Japanese wood block print (this year).

"Christmas as a traditional cultural holiday, but I don't celebrate it in the religious sense. I celebrate it because I grew up with it"

Pretty much the same here.