Why do Christmas if you don't believe?

[Mrspotter12]

Really not wanting to start a bun fight, but it you aren't religious and don't believe in Father Christmas - to the point of not wanting to "lie" to your DC and so asking what to tell them, then why do it? Why have Christmas at all?

You do realise Father Christmas isn’t real don’t you.

Well we do now

OP I just love commercial shite really. Fucking love it. Excess food, booze and stuff I don't need. Fucking love it. All the lead up with crap Ch5 films, panto, nights out etc. It's a happy time of year.

If you have a tree up in your house then you are celebrating it from pagan roots..

So many pagan traditions are part of people's modern Christmas celebrations but I'm not sure people realise this?

Otherwise, what has a Christmas tree in your house got to do with Jesus who was born in a warm climate?

Hmmm because it's fun and it brings family together and joy to all.

It's dark and cold so a good time of year to stay in the warm, eat lots of food and have a break.

Bear in mind that winter festivals were a thing long before Jesus was a twinkle in his parents' eyes.

Because it’s as much a cultural tradition as a religious one.

This.

Plus even before Britain was Christianised there was a winter feast - the Romans has one and pre Romans there suggestions there was one around 21 shortest day eating food likely to spoil before winters end and having associated customs.

Christianity has had practise of adapting local traditions and festival hence a lot of the Easter imagery – rabbits instead of hares and eggs.

I believe in decorations and prettiness and sparkly lights on dark days, and spending time with people I love, eating nice things and playing silly games and generally having fun.

And the word Xmas has existed for centuries. It isn't a plot to take the Christ out of Christmas

@Gimmeesugar

Genuinely...the best comment I've read all week!

Christmas was originally a pagan (an expression that covers a lot of different beliefs and customs) festival. Christianity took it on and adapted it - always easier to convert people when you adopt things they are attached to and comfortable with.

Take a look at this - www.livescience.com/25779-christmas-traditions-history-paganism.html

I do think people who dismiss religious people as believers in 'flying spaghetti monsters' but celebrate Christmas are hypocrites. And you can squeak about culture/Yule as much you like, they're still hypocrites.

ciderbrains I see the tree link with the Yule log thing but I was under the (popular) impression that we in England have indoor Christmas trees because Queen Victoria got one as a gift from Europe in the early 1800’s and it became fashionable in aspirational homes. It’s been a tradition that has stuck. It may be a pagan tradition in Europe but it was a ‘keeping up with he Joneses’ thing in England, as far as I know.

Woooo coffee what happened to ‘“love thy neighbour”

Unless you follow a religion that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, it’s basically impossible to just skip it in this country and definitely impossible if you have children.

Father Christmas was a real person. Look up St Nicholas if you don't believe me.

Coffee
What are these 'flying spaghetti monsters' you speak of?

History channel history of the Christmas tree

It appears to be linked to the evergreen boughs of pre-Christian beliefs but it looks like the actual decorated tree was a Christian thing, originating in Germany in the 16th century. Interesting

1. Food
2. Alcohol

Ah, yay! Posting this link in reply to this question is one of my favourite signs that Christmas is coming.

For your viewing pleasure, I give you the glory that is Tim Minchin, explaining why atheists celebrate Christmas:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

Because it’s become so much more than a religious celebration. It’s about family, forgiveness, generosity, sharing, fun and celebration. Very human and beautiful things which have nothing to do with God or religion are celebrated at Christmas.

Christians stole much of the celebration from pagans anyway, so I don’t accept that they get to claim a total monopoly over it!

Because it's a fun family tradition that doesn't need to involve religion.

I hate xmas but DC love it and it's fun for them (also a great threat for them to behave). DH is catholic so he and his family cover the religious elements as well as the bigger celebration which I only put up with for DC's sake.

I didn't used to, and once DC have gone I shan't be 'celebrating' in any way, DH can do what he likes.

mpression that we in England have indoor Christmas trees because Queen Victoria got one as a gift from Europe in the early 1800’s

I think it came over with Prince Albert and his families traditions - and that's why it got popular.

Howvere while Christmas trees were German import - prior to this BBC history department would have me believe it was common practise eto decorate homes with greenery - holly, Ivy etc – that been said in several different programs.

wonder if the holly and Ivy carol has similar origins.

Religious... You mean Christian?

Because its originally a pagan celebration, so...

Christmas as we know it now is fairly recent. Its not that long ago that in some parts of the country it was a working day. What we currently celebrate probably has its roots in Dickens. Same with the idea's of midwinter, most of this is speculation with traditions going back to the formation of the modern druids a couple of hundred years ago.

Few of us really celebrate 'Christmas', for most its simply party time and an excuse to overindulge.

because I flippin LOVE Christmas and that's the ONLY reason I need