Scrutinizing Christmas Celebration

In order not to look like a killjoy during the Christmas holiday, this seemed like a better time of year to express my concerns.

The name ‘Christmas ‘originated from the English phrase ‘Cristes maesse’ which translates to ‘Christ’s mass.’ For those whose religious belief are centered on the divine nature of Jesus Christ and his teachings, it makes sense to celebrate his birth. Not so much for those who believe otherwise. As it now stands, Atheists, Agnostics, Jews etc. are expected to enthusiastically join into the festivity of the dogmatic adoration concerning a godly being they don’t recognize.

Another problematic incongruity I have is the holiday has morphed into a yearly event where the primary intent is to gift each other. What birthday parties have guests exchanging presents? Christmas has become a way for business to expand profit margins. Nothing wrong with that, but it does it make much sense to dilute a holiday that should more appropriately be exclusively focused on believers celebrating Christ’s birth?

Keep 12/25 a holiday with all the lighting, Winter-themed decorations and gift-giving in place. Just give it another name like Gifting Appreciation Day. Consideration might even be given to switching the unrelated celebration of the birth of Jesus to another month. Several theoretical studies have determined it’s more likely than not the birth happened in a month other than December. Let’s make it two separate holidays with only those personally involved participating.

Obviously, the current way of celebrating Christmas is never going to change. That doesn’t alter my dubious viewpoint. I’m no grinch. I support gift giving, but not as the primary element of what must have originally been a birthday celebration by only those choosing to honor a man with significance limited to their particular faith.

Please feel free to check out my blog at agnosticliberal.com. The current weekly blog posted through this Saturday covers my concerns about the topic of Heaven. (No personal information, log-in or cost required.)