My Thoughts on Christmas
Written by jlgaddis on December 24, 2009 – 6:39 am -As someone who doesn’t really care for Christmas, this is a weird time of year.
The “reason for the season” is supposed to be to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Neither theologists nor the New Testament pinpoint the actual date of birth of Jesus, however (assuming he ever existed — something I am not convinced of). What few people realize, of course, is that the origins of Christmas are pagan and were celebrated in Europe long before anyone had ever heard of a man named Jesus Christ. In 350 AD, Pope Julius I made a declaration that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25th. Theologists and historians seem to agree that he was simply trying to make it as easy as possible for pagan Romans (the majority) to convert over to Christianity. The early Roman Church simply took control of all the shrines and festivals. Places where pagan goddesses had previously gave oracles becomes shrines of the blessed virgin Mary. For the most part, the people didn’t really mind — they still had bonfires, feasts, gift-giving and, of course, excuses to get drunk. The switch from pagan to Christmas simply meant business as usual.
I consider myself an atheist. Since I don’t believe in God or Jesus, the whole reason that we celebrate this holiday (if you ask the majority of US citizens), you might wonder what I do for Christmas. The “magic” of Christmas is diluted more and more every year by commercialization. For so many of us, the holiday is nothing more than an excuse for presents and the stuffing of faces. In modern society, the idea of Christmas as a day to worship and be thankful for the Son of God is mostly dead. I am, therefore, not alone. My views on religion are summed up quite nicely by a friend’s “Religious views” on Facebook: “lights out — game over” (thanks, Jason).
I choose not to participate in most of the “traditions”. It’s been many years since I have stepped into a church. The last time was several years ago at Easter, when I felt obligated by family to attend. I have not erected a Christmas tree for a number of years. I have stopped purchasing gifts that will go unappreciated and, quite likely, returned for something else.
Does all this mean that I do not participate at all in the holidays? Absolutely not. I have just changed how I do it. While I’m not rich by any means, I get by comfortably and am still able to buy and do many of the things that I want. In previous years, I would spend tons of money on gifts for family members and girlfriends that, as I mentioned, often went underappreciated or would end up being returned. Last year, in particular, I decided to do things a little different.
A couple of days before Christmas, I went to the bank and withdrew a decent amount of money, all in five-dollar bills. I then drove to a mall about an hour and a half away (where I was less likely to run into people who knew me) and randomly handed out $5 bills to people I passed by (mostly to kids, but some adults as well). I can’t recall of one instance where I didn’t get, at the least, a smile in return. When folks started catching on and approaching me, I simply left and drove to another mall, and continued until I was out of money. That whole experience brought me much greater pleasure than buying meaningless items for family and friends ever has.
This year, I haven’t bought a single gift, nor do I plan to (likewise, I neither want nor will accept any). Last night, however, I did make a list of names and address of non-profit organizations in my area. I went through the list, picked out those I feel most deserve it, and wrote down a number next to their names. This morning, I’ll make a trip to my bank, then to the post office to pick up a number of money orders that I’ll then deliver to those non-profits (anonymously, of course). I’m sure they’ll appreciate it, put it to good use, and won’t try to return it for something else.
Unlike some, I do not get upset when someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas”. I suspect that if you wish your Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist neighbors a Merry Christmas, they will grin right back and return the season’s greetings. Quoting Markham Hislop, “As an atheist, I like that. Even though I don’t share the Christian faith, I can respect the values of this most Christian of holidays — love, charity, compassion to those less fortunate, and a profound appreciation for the wonder of life. We need holidays like Christmas to remind us of the many good things humandkind is capable of.”
Martin Willett wrote: “We don’t need a non-existant God to send a son to be killed as a blood sacrifice for us. We just need to understand our shared humanity. That is the true message of this season of hope. We could do it at any time, but December 25th is traditional. The festival is called Christmas, it contains the name of a mythic religious entity that I do not regard as a god, but then so do the words Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. No big deal. As an atheist I have no more problems with Christmas than I do with Wednesdays.”
Lastly, to my family, you may or may not see me at dinner on Friday — I’m still undecided. I may end up making the trip down, we’ll see.
Merry Christmas, folks.
Tags: life, personal | 9 Comments »
December 24th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Great post and thanks for the historical insight. I wasn’t fully aware of the origins of the holiday, although I knew that winter celebrations are much older than Christmas itself. It never ceases to amaze me how much people don’t know about the things they believe in or cherish. This one woman at work who is into the military and was in the Air Force herself, actually thought that Veterans Day was based around the end of WWII instead of Armistice Day, which is WWI. And yet every year she is involved in Veterans day planning.
That’s an interesting story about the money at the mall. Some might say that bringing money specifically into the picture misses the point, but its hard to give out random gifts that would generate the same response.
December 24th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Amen! I’m a bit more agnostic, but think you have a great way of handling this holiday. A few more days and we’ll return to normalcy.
December 24th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Well of course you ignore the most basic of facts to suit your view of things …
Christmas as a festival / celebration is not a pagan festival taken over / claimed by christians but it is as you say a time for christians to celebrate the birth of Christ. I agree the two events are celebrated around the same time but that doesn’t mean one was usurped by the other.
As to commercialisation and christmas trees – well again you can’t really blame christians for that either.
Bah humbug! Enjoy the season for what it is – a time when man gets to kick back and have some time wehere others are considered if only briefly.
Let me leave you with a couple of quotes:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everythingis softer and more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. Hamilton Wright Mabi
December 29th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Merry Christmas to you.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
December 29th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I thought this was a blog on all things routers?? I do not mind reading ones views, but thats not why I linked this in my favorites… Can we stay on point ?
December 29th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Stuart,
Maybe you should read some research done by a Christian publication that states it:
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn55/christmas_evidence.htm
Doh! What was that I was saying about people not knowing enough about their own beliefs?
December 30th, 2009 at 2:28 am
@Deltaray …
Point 1 – where did I say 25th was the alleged birthday of Christ? What I tried to say was it is NOT a time “taken over / claimed by” but is used as a time they celebrate [last inserted for clarification] – as the linked article states “because it was already popular in pagan” ….
IOW there was already one celebration then so adding another was a shoe in.
Point 2 – where did I say this was my belief?
December 30th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hey Stuart,
Great Post. Myself being a “follower of Christ” (I don’t call myself a Christian because of today’s examples of them) have never agreed more with an atheist on such a topic. I don’t celebrate Christmas or any of the “Christian” holidays because they are pagan. I also, do go to what people call Church because they no longer server the purpose of what they were initially intended for and that was glorifying Christ and fellowship. They now just have an abundance of programs, entertainment, and religious people who love religion and not Christ. You can’t even tell the difference from a supposed Christian and a non Christian these days. Yes, Christmas has nothing to do with Christ’s birth. You were exactly correct with you historical information. Easter and Christmas is just Roman paganism with a “Christian” stamp. It’s sad to me that an atheist sees this but fellow brothers and sister in Christ don’t. Roman Catholicism and it’s pagan practices have birthed it’s children protestant churches. While they claim difference they are all one in the same. Religion, idolatry, and conformity to the world, and no relationship with Christ.
Okay I’ll step of of the soap box now.
January 16th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Hi Stuart,
I came here for “JunOS PSN-2010-01-623 Exploit” and end up reading this post.
I couldn’t agreed more with Nathan. I was brought up by my mother, who has strong faith in Jesus but couldn’t take me to church every Sunday because we had a tough life. But she makes sure she passes down all the values of someone who has faith in Jesus to me and I am always thankful for that.
From where I grew up, I didn’t have much to read and I never knew much about the history of Christmas either. But, what I always know from my heart is for sure Christmas is not the birthday of Christ but rather the day we should remember what kind of person Christ is and what he has done and said.
I fully respect you for what you’ve done and also wish that you can do more like it every year. After all, it feels really good when you see people smiling of gratitude, isn’t it?
I just like to suggest something as I feel that you like reading. Why don’t you try to read a book called “Bible” with no prejudice?
Well, the worst that can happen is it puts you to sleep. Right?