I have to admit, as a secular humanist who rather likes certain parts of Christmas, I felt a little insulted. If Jesus is the only reason for Christmas, then why bother with family gatherings? With spending time cooking a special meal to serve to your loved ones? Why bother exchanging gifts? Why bother doing anything except going to fucking church??
In Christmas, I find meaning in love, caring, friends, family, and togetherness. I find meaning in generosity from those who can afford to be generous. I enjoy being with people I like, and love, and feel close to, and having it be a time when people try to get together with those they love, but aren't normally able to see. Goodwill towards men, peace on earth: these may be cliche, but they have meaning and importance.
I don't know about you, but those seem to me to be damn good reasons for Christmas, even if you're not a Christian.
Christmas was created to celebrate the birth of jesus so without that there never would have been a day of gathering called christmas. Just saying. It however has indeed become a corporate holiday just like halloween has lost its meaning as well.
ReplyDeleteWhy does it seem like no one is ever "just saying" when they say they're "just saying"?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, while true that without the (possibly mythological) birth of Jesus, and all that follows from that, there would probably not be a day specifically called "Christmas," winter festivals of various types have existed for far longer than Christianity. It's not inconceivable that they would carry many of the same positive connotations that I associate with Christmas if they were still commonly celebrated today.
And by the way, what, in anything I said in the post, leads to you seemingly dismissing non-religious Christmas as a "corporate holiday"?
Jesus is the reason for the season. No Jesus Christ - No CHRISTmas. Families can gather any day - should show all the attributes listed everyday. Is the Fourth of July about hot dogs, cookouts, and baseball or USA's Independence.
DeleteBy the way - the birth and life of Jesus is documented in secular writings out side of the Bible.
Here is one source:
Titus Flavius Josephus (37 – c. 100), also called Joseph ben Matityahu
Just saying,
Dr. Wade