Christmas is now just as much a cultural festival as it is religious

[HBK-aholic]

Christmas - a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time most people of the Christian faith remember that Jesus died for their sins, and often spend some time of the day in Church. But in British society the titled statement is becoming more and more relevant.

I’m not trying to deny the origins of Christmas are very much a Christian thing, you only have to look at the name of the holiday to see that. However, there are many people now who celebrate Christmas who aren’t of the Christian faith, or have no faith at all. This year, I’ve gone shopping for my best friend who is a Muslim, and who has a tree up. She is very firm in her Islamic beliefs, but has grown up around Christmas.

I’m an atheist, but Christmas is a big part of my life. I’ve spent the last few months shopping for presents, putting decorations up, and getting younger kids excited about it. I grew up expecting Christmas on December 25th, despite none of my family being religious. I grew up being asked what presents I wanted, expecting an amazing dinner on the day. Church was never even mentioned.

While I don’t want to go on about the ‘true meaning of Christmas’ that you hear old people talking about, there is a new meaning for Christmas. And religion plays a very small part in that.

 

[klunderbunker]

This is true. Norcal said it best in the Christmas thread. "This ain't the holidays, it's Christmas." People never put up anything but Christmas decorations. When's the last time you saw a Menorah (know I butchered the spelling) lighting celebration? Christmas has become fairly commericalized, and that's pretty sad. Gifts are just expected for one another anymore. While there's always a caring for the people, the meaning of it is somewhat lost.

As for the religious aspect, while Christmas is meant to celebrate the birth of Christ, it's really secondary to Easter. A lot of Christmas has become a day about family and love, but it really is centered around the religious aspect for those that celebrate it as such. Go to a Christian house such as mine, and easily more than half of what you see is Christian related. It's as specialized as ever, which isn't always a bad thing.

 

[jmt225]

I don't go to church often anymore. I use to when I was in high school, but life then gets in the way and what not. But I still tend to go every now and then. And while I still have yet to meet someone there who wasn't a complete sweetheart, I always found it funny how each and every one of them raise their kids not to believe in Santa Claus. Don't get me wrong, these are all great people and this isn't that big of a deal, but Santa is just one of the funnest things about Christmas when you're a kid. I never got why they'd take that joy away from a child. Yeah.. Christmas is about Jesus to Christians, but it's not like Jesus is the one bringing us the presents Christmas morning. That's suppose to be Santa's job in a child's mind.

But yeah.. just felt like sharing that since it has a little to do with the topic's subject. I do agree that Christmas is about much more today then just Jesus' birthday. As someone who believes in Jesus, I make sure to take time out of my day and pray to him on Christmas (I do that everyday, but just in a different way on Christmas), but that's about it for me. And I completely understand those who don't believe in Jesus, but still catch the holiday spirit. Christmas today is about having fun, putting smiles on peoples faces, getting some time off from school/work, ect. Not about a spiritual leader’s birthday. And that’s a great thing because no matter what anyone believes in, everyone deserves to celebrate holidays.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Becca, you're talking crap. Completely incorrect. Christmas is now more of a cultural festival than it is religious. I don't agree with speaking out about it though. Or arguing or debating over it. It's just true. And it's never going to go back to being a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Am I saying that Christians shouldn't celebrate the birth of Jesus? No. Again, common sense. I'm just saying it isn't a religious festival any more.

Easter's the same way. And while we're at it, I read about some Atheist comedians (Ricky Gervais included) putting on a show to show Atheists celebrate Christmas. Pissed me off. No real idea why. Just did. Guessing because, again, it's common sense that Atheists celebrate Christmas.

 

[Tim]

Christmas is now a time for people to get together and sspend time with each other. A time where you give and receive presents. A time where you decorate you house with a tree, and all the Christmas decorations. And a time where you get stuffed with food. Or at least this is what it is to the atheists, and to people who do not have a specific religion, such as me.

To Christians though, most of them usually still go to Church and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, however I think most of them celebrate Christmas just like anyone else would, taking some time out of their day to go to Church/pray, like jmt does. But now, you see these ads for Christmas decorations and presents. You see all the ads with Santa in them, and all the people just enjoying the holiday, and this is what Christmas has become.

 

[OIL]

Christmas has pretty much lost it's meaning as far as being religious. When Christmas comes around I never hear people mention Jesus, I hear Santa Claus. The media have played a huge part in this, hyping Christmas to be about presents & dinner, which is pretty much what I've been brought up on regarding Christmas. Granted, I'm Hindu but Christmas was pretty much all about giving presents and being with family, and the same went for all of my friends regardless of religion or lack of.

 

[Mr. TM]

I think for me at least, Christmas is religious in one sense. If anything, Christ taught the meaning of love for your fellow man. Most places I go around the holidays, people in my life are happy at this time of the year. Don't get me wrong, I feel for those people who are fighting in stores for a present for their child, or are alone at this time of the year. But for me, it is a time to be with my loved ones, and enjoy each others company. I don't have to worry about school, I can just sit and talk. For the past two Christmases, I have spent time at my partners parents house with her, where they have truely welcomed me into their home. It is just a great feeling, everyone is happy, and relaxed, we have great meals, play board games, and the such. Without this holiday, I would be lost. I don't know if it is the religious aspect of it or not, but I feel at home.

 

[2012isbs]

I'm a Roman Catholic, I respect everyone's beleifs, I'm fine with every one celebrating Christmas. I like holidays like Hannakuh and Kwanza becuase they aren't commercialized they are celebrated by people who actually beieive the origin of the holiday. Christmas now has become commercialized and lost it's point in a lot of the media.

When I was 5 or 7 I wanted to put a star on the family christmas tree, but mom always put on an angel. Now I realize that because of my religion my mom did this. Me wanting a star though is proof that T.V. ruined Christmas mainly for younger kids who learn nothing about why christmas is actually celebrated by watching Nickelodeon Christmas specials. My favorite Christmas special is Lester the Donkey, because it's not about Santa or Rudolphh or Snowmen it's about teh birth of Christ from the point of view of the Donkey, it's originaland religious.

People that celbrate christmas as a non-religious holiday celebrate to be together which is fine. Christmas is great for small kids. It makes them so happy to see the tree on Christmas morning with presents perhaps an unwrapped "big" gift. That was the most beautiful part next to beign together with family talking and eating.

I think Christmas has less religious value in the media but more of being together with your family something all family's can enjoy.