As some of you may have figured out, I'm Pagan. So why do I celebrate christmas?
The simple answer is because it's not worth the family fight to try and miss it.
More to the point, there are some parts of Christmas these days that don't have a whole lot to do with the religion it came from any more. For example - gathering with family, giving presents, tales about Santa Clause. In reality it is entirely possible to celebrate the secular holiday of Christmas without too much trouble. And like Thanksgiving, it's a good excuse to get together with the family and eat too much. It's also a nice time of year to remember those you love with tokens (sometimes called presents) wrapped up in pretty paper. So what if I'm thinking about Yule when I buy them and my brother is thinking about Christmas when he opens his.
I've also discovered that it makes life a lot simpler. I celebrate Yule with my friends - most of whom are Pagans too. We talk about our religious thoughts of this time of year, party and exchange gifts and blessings. Then a couple of days later I celebrate Christmas with my family. And while we don't talk religion at that gathering, I know that they have done what they need to for their religion in their own way.
We tried for some time - back when I was still in High School - to keep it all together. What a stressor that was. The season ended up being more fight than celebration. Then we all got wise and stopped fighting about the religion. It took a few years to calm down, but now we can actually talk about it with out trying to tear each other's hair out. We can discuss the similarities and differences with respect. And we can enjoy the Christmas/Yule tree together.
So it all works out in the end.
Now if only national leaders could come to the same understanding we might actually get Peace on Earth and Good will toward all.
Posted by Becca at December 24, 2004 01:01 PM