Christmas: Can Be Celebrated by All

Well, Christmas Day has past, and I must say that it was a wonderful experience. Many non-religious people find it difficult, during this time of year, to function, what with media pushing carolling choirs and films, stories and documentaries about baby Jesus on them. As a non-religious person, however, this does not disturb me, in the least. To me, Christmas is a national holiday that still has the unbelievable power of bringing citizens together in very real ways. Also, Christians do NOT own Christmas (okay...Okay, they might have dibs on the title), but, really, this time of year started out, as many people are aware, as a pagan, mostly Nordic, celebration of the begining of the winter solstice. How it came to be what it is today is important, of course. However, what's even more important is the effect that the celebration has on citizens. In my experience, the effect has mostly been positive.

The other issue is that people claim: "Oh, I don't celebrate Christmas because it's too commercialized" Let's get real, folks. What celebration isn't? If you look back throughout history, celebrations of all sorts have always been about excess, whether it's orgies, eating, drinking or dancing. The whole point of celebrations is to collectively have fun and to bring citizens together. Of course, there's going to be some "commercialism" to it, but to not celebrate it because of that is absurd. The last time I checked, we all have the power to not overshop. Also, what civilization is remembered for it's "non-celebrations"?

So, to my atheist, nontheist, anti-religion friends: don't let the religious and the zealots overshadow this time of year and rob you of your joy and of your sense of community. Christmas is, simply put, a celebration, a very HUMAN experience in which we all can partake. Yes, you guessed it, I bought the gifts, I erected the tree, strung the lights, had the feast and all of that, not because some mythic god-child was born, but because I know that it's fun and I like the effect it has on my neighbors, friends and family because, for some reason, they just seem to smile more and laugh more and want to do more for their communities. THAT'S why Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It's ALL about the human experience! An experience that the religious and non-religious alike should cherish.