Happy Atheist Christmas and Merry Holidays

Ask any person who celebrates Christmas what they plan on doing, you'll probably hear about whether they are traveling, if they are visiting family or family is coming to their house, if they are cooking something. They might talk about an annoying family member that always talks politics or gets drunk (or both). There might be discussion of what gifts people want or when they did their shopping. Maybe there are various parties to attend and you hear the logistics of fitting it all in. Sometimes you hear a recipe for favorite cookies or a drink. If you know someone from a different country, you might hear about their traditions: food, drink, decorations, songs.

What I don't think I ever hear anything ever about Jesus. And yes, I mean from Christians obviously. I still have some friends who are pretty devout, but they aren't the type to push their religion onto others. At most, they will talk about feeling blessed or mention something about friends from church. Thing is, I don't even know what mass/service they attend because it just doesn't come up.

I say this because there is always a lot of discussion in atheist circles about whether people celebrate Christmas or not. Sometimes there's a bit of holiday policing with some atheists saying you shouldn't celebrate an overtly religious holiday. To me, that's ridiculous.

First off, I hate policing how and what others choose to celebrate. Some people seem to think there is only one way to do things, and of course it happens to be their way. Some Christians do get very possessive of a holiday like Christmas, but they actually don't own it. Most of the elements have nothing whatsoever to do with the religious part anyway. They are welcome to make it about the baby Jesus and sit in church and pray all day or not, as they wish. I'm really not interested. Really, I think for those people, church is just one element of the holiday, and not necessarily the most important.

Second, I grew up celebrating Christmas and I like a lot about the holiday. I like the festive lights during these short days. I decorate house plants like Christmas trees and put up garlands and other decorations. I like the special food, music, exchange of gifts and time with people I appreciate. There is no need to buy into the supernatural parts of the holiday. Anyway, a lot of people don't seem to know what Labor Day is about but they take the day off along with everyone else.

Growing up, I did partake in activities that were religious: I had an advent calendar and advent wreath. I don't do those things any more, like I also don't go to church.

I have some Jewish atheist friends who do similarly with Jewish holidays. They don't actually fast on Yom Kippur but the "break the fast" with special food. They hold a seder. For them, the cultural aspect is what interests them, knowing that they are participating in a ritual that their families have been practicing for a long time.

In my family, we have developed some quirky aspects of our celebration. I decorate a gargoyle every year with garland and colored balls. We wrap up objects we already own instead of buying lots of new junk. It is funny to see what was selected and also funny to look for something, not find it and know it's wrapped for someone with all the rest of the gifts.

So happy holidays whether you are celebrating or not, whether you like Christmas or don't.