Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Christian and a minister. The things you listed are pagan in origin. Christianity adopted them in an effort to combine the nativity with well-established pagan winter festivals. Lights and festivities make the celebration of the birth of Jesus much more fun! So anyone can celebrate the winter holiday and more importantly, Christ would welcome all to the celebration regardless of spiritual path.

How would you know something like that? It suggests that there is something in the Bible that indicates that Christ would want people who don't believe he is the Messiah to be celebrating his birth.

All are welcome at my church. I think that's the broader point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a national holiday. Why wouldn't every American celebrate it?

I agree. The lights on houses, Santa, Christmas tree, presents... these are all non religious things.

My nativity, advent calendar and going to church are all Christian things.

Advent calendars are a big thing in our non-Christian household!

No they are not. Never had one, never will.

??? She's talking about her house, not yours

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a national holiday. Why wouldn't every American celebrate it?

I agree. The lights on houses, Santa, Christmas tree, presents... these are all non religious things.

My nativity, advent calendar and going to church are all Christian things.

Advent calendars are a big thing in our non-Christian household!

No they are not. Never had one, never will.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Hindu, we celebrate Christmas, and we also have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Why we celebrate it - that has already been answered in this thread. It's a part of American culture, and we are Hindu-Americans. It's a fun winter holiday. It's a fun family holiday. It's a season to be jolly.

Same here. In fact the non Christians who don't celebrate baffle me

Hindu PP here. I think people are overly politically correct about Christmas personally.

Jewish PP here. I don't know what you are talking about. My not celebrating Christmas has nothing to do with politics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Hindu, we celebrate Christmas, and we also have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Why we celebrate it - that has already been answered in this thread. It's a part of American culture, and we are Hindu-Americans. It's a fun winter holiday. It's a fun family holiday. It's a season to be jolly.

Same here. In fact the non Christians who don't celebrate baffle me

I am Jewish and do not celebrate Christmas (unless you call a movie and Chinese food celebrating Christmas, and we don't even always do that).

What do I need to explain? I also don't celebrate diwali or ramadan. I assume you do not celebrate purim or sukkos.

Movies and Chinese food is Jewish Christmas tradition.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Hindu, we celebrate Christmas, and we also have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Why we celebrate it - that has already been answered in this thread. It's a part of American culture, and we are Hindu-Americans. It's a fun winter holiday. It's a fun family holiday. It's a season to be jolly.

Same here. In fact the non Christians who don't celebrate baffle me

Hindu PP here. I think people are overly politically correct about Christmas personally.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Christian and a minister. The things you listed are pagan in origin. Christianity adopted them in an effort to combine the nativity with well-established pagan winter festivals. Lights and festivities make the celebration of the birth of Jesus much more fun! So anyone can celebrate the winter holiday and more importantly, Christ would welcome all to the celebration regardless of spiritual path.

Thank you!!!i wish many of the"christians" I met had your attitude.

Exactly, the Christian minister has a good attitude about non-Christians celebrating Christmas, but it's the minister's personal opinion, with no basis in Christian history or teachings.

Jesus thought he was King of the Jews -- their long-awaited Messiah. He did not know that a new religion would be formed around him - that was Paul's doing - and certainly did not envision his supposed birthday becoming a major holiday.

Dear friend, may I gently suggest that you are missing the point? I am the minister you keep quoting. We know that Jesus had no idea that thousands of years later people would be celebrating his birth with decorated trees, beautiful lights, cookies, and gifts. However, Jesus the Christ (whatever that means to you) would certainly welcome everyone to the table on Christmas! His entire message was one of love, inclusivity, tolerance, compassion, and friendship. We are called to love one another. Period. No descriptors or exclusions followed that statement. Just love one another. Christmas is a time of love and light, of family and friendship, of giving and receiving, regardless of faith tradition. Those who practice other religions often choose not to participate in Christmas and that is certainly understandable. However, should they choose to participate in the non-religious traditions associated with the holiday, they should always feel more than welcome to do so. The Jesus I know would never exclude - he would add more chairs to the table.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Hindu, we celebrate Christmas, and we also have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Why we celebrate it - that has already been answered in this thread. It's a part of American culture, and we are Hindu-Americans. It's a fun winter holiday. It's a fun family holiday. It's a season to be jolly.

Same here. In fact the non Christians who don't celebrate baffle me

I am Jewish and do not celebrate Christmas (unless you call a movie and Chinese food celebrating Christmas, and we don't even always do that).

What do I need to explain? I also don't celebrate diwali or ramadan. I assume you do not celebrate purim or sukkos.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a national holiday. Why wouldn't every American celebrate it?

I agree. The lights on houses, Santa, Christmas tree, presents... these are all non religious things.

My nativity, advent calendar and going to church are all Christian things.

Advent calendars are a big thing in our non-Christian household!

+1

My number-loving preschooler digs it.

PP here. OK my advent calendar is religious. I do like the chocolate ones though!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a national holiday. Why wouldn't every American celebrate it?

I agree. The lights on houses, Santa, Christmas tree, presents... these are all non religious things.

My nativity, advent calendar and going to church are all Christian things.

Advent calendars are a big thing in our non-Christian household!

+1

My number-loving preschooler digs it.

DH and I say we're "culturally Christian"---we celebrate Santa and the Easter Bunny, not Jesus. We enjoy decorating the tree, shopping for thoughtful presents for our friends and family, spending time with family and close friends, the Yule log on TV, and watching Xmas movies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Christmas is a national holiday. Why wouldn't every American celebrate it?

I agree. The lights on houses, Santa, Christmas tree, presents... these are all non religious things.

My nativity, advent calendar and going to church are all Christian things.

Advent calendars are a big thing in our non-Christian household!

Anonymous wrote:Many non christians celebrate Christmas! Atheists, Hindus, some muslims, etc. Why? Why the hell not!

In HS I had have a devout Muslim boss and she 'celebrated' Christmas by giving us Christmas gifts wrapped. I think she even decorated her house!


My belief is that Christmas is no longer about Christ (sadly for me) and is more of an American celebration.

Anonymous wrote:I'm Hindu, we celebrate Christmas, and we also have no problem saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Why we celebrate it - that has already been answered in this thread. It's a part of American culture, and we are Hindu-Americans. It's a fun winter holiday. It's a fun family holiday. It's a season to be jolly.

Same here. In fact the non Christians who don't celebrate baffle me

I'm an atheist who celebrates Christmas because I grew up celebrating Christmas. It's my favorite day of the year.