General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: First person that tells me that we need to 'Keep Christ in Christmas', will get punched in the face [View all]SheilaT
(23,156 posts)The emphasis on gifts and the presumption of the gathering of families, those are relatively recent. If you actually read Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol you'll see a world in which the celebration of Christmas was part secular, and part religious. And at that time, December 25 was simply an ordinary day that happened to be Christmas. Our current huge celebration, overladen with consumerism, is relatively recent.
Indeed, the piling on of purchasing stuff, especially as exemplified by "Black Friday" is a very recent phenomenon.
I am personally a non-religious person. I enjoy the secular aspects of Christmas, while acknowledging and understanding the religious aspects. I enjoy getting together with family and friends, I love giving and receiving gifts. If you are one for whom the religious aspects are paramount, I would say, That's wonderful! I know enough about the religious meaning of Christmas to think that it's truly wonderful for those who believe that way. But I don't have to share that belief to participate in the celebration of Christmas.
And any time anyone wishes me Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, I am genuinely appreciative. There are other times when peoople say things to me like God Bless You, or some other such overtly religious thing. I try very hard to appreciate the sentiment ant express my thanks and gratitude. My personal beliefs don't matter here. It's the appreciation of the other person's belief that matters.