To ask this question, without agenda, because its Christmas!

[Ihavewelliesbutitssunny]

Why do you celebrate Christmas?/What do you celebrate at Christmas?

Yes I know someone does it every year

The Christians appropriated many Pagan traditions. I just keep calling it Christmas because I'm not pagan, or Christian but I LIKE the whole mish mash of events. I love the Christian 'story' (for me it is just that, no offence, one I respect) I love the pagan/folk festival of lights in the darkness. The two main influences go nicely together.

For me the origin ONLY is Christian, in its title, Christmas is Christmas, it may mean different to other people, but in my dictionary its reads: a mish mash of lovely wintery stuff drawn from many other traditions, predominantly Christian appropriation of paganism and its own festive tale. Peace and goodwill to all people.

I don't I celebrate Yule/the winter Solstice. Only do gifts so DD doesn't end up bullied for her beliefs.

What Beer said.

and Bamboo.

Yes I know you did

I'm not trying to pick a fight with you.

It's just that the word Christmas is commonly used, but many celebrate the midwinter festival aspect of it.

What's in a name though? As vivi said, it's just semantics.

My kids only know about the birth of baby Jesus from school, it doesn't come up other than that.

Because I'm too lazy to dream up an alternative.

It's a midwinter festival that is something to look forward to on gloomy cold days and the kids would have melt down if we didn't..

Fascinating thread, I love hearing about how other people celebrate and how their beliefs influence their celebrations.

To me as a Christian Christmas is ultimately about the birth of Christ, I love starting the Christmas Celebrations at the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve.

However, equally as important is the spending time with family, the pleasure the children get from the gifts, the lovely food and so on.

I guess what i am saying is that for me (as for a lot of people) there are almost two different celebrations which are interlinked. The commercial/family/food side and the religious side. Take either part of them away and for me personally christmas would be lacking some of its magic.

We are atheists but celebrate Christmas because of its cultural significances both pagan and Christian.

All those traditions are part of our heritage and seem so right for those of us living in northern europe.

Also, it is incredibly important to us a family that we celebrate for one week in the year the joys of home and hearth. Being together, having plenty, being thankful, looking forward. These are important things to us in a very very busy family life.

It's be interesting to see national statistics breaking this down. Of those who celebrate "christmas" what % are Christians who are primarily celebrating the birth of Jesus, what % are in line with the version of Christmas many of us have described on here (a midwinter solstice inspired celebration of family and light with an appreciation of the story of Christ thrown in for good measure as so articulately conveyed by Aldi ) and what % are all about spanking shedloads on presents and very little else?

Winter Gift Giving Festival. Religious side acknowledged by going to see the DC's inevitable nativity plays at school. No other religious elements involved.

It would be interesting. Came over all pirate there.

That would be interesting Vivi I feel sad for those who have horrible Christmasses (in my opinion) that have no deeper meaning or pause for thought other than 'gimme gimme'. (thought having just received my new food processor two weeks early there is certainly an element of shallow wish listing in my Christmas!)

wordfactory Completely agree that as part of our Northern European Heritage it feels 'right'.

Hmmm - interesting question.

I don't go to church regularly and I wouldn't say I was religious - only very vaguely CofE . . . but to me Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without carol service in church, the story of the birth of Jesus etc.

For me it is more than a winter festival of light. But at the same time I wouldn't call myself a Christian

I think for me it's also a bit about celebrating English traditions - makes me feel connected to the past and our ancestors. Like wondering how the people who lived in my house 100 years ago would have celebrated.

Because its a cultural festival far more than a religious festival. The only difference with us heathens is we don't try and claim it as our own and tell everyone else they are soul-less and empty.

Hey, we've moved this into the Christmas topic.

wordfactory said it better than me about our heritage

YY to wordfactory's description too.

And funny you should say that, countess, about connection to the past - this is our first year in this house and I was only wondering this lunchtime about the 60-odd Christmases that will have taken place here before this one in truth, I was vainly congratulating myself that there could have never been a lovelier tree than mine ever to grace these four walls

Oh how annoying. I knew this would be moved from AIBU.

Bah Humbug.

what cantspell said!

less of the spanking there vivi

I'm a christian and I am celebrating that Jesus was born into the world - Emanuel, God with us. I know the church did dastardly things with the day and, for that reason, I'm not excited that This Was The Day because it very probably wasn't. But it's great to mark A day to remember what God did and why.

I do mind though that the Christ of Christmas isn't generally given a thought but I'm very happy that families give to each other, even if there's an undercurrent sometimes - it's good to give. I love that magical feeling on christmas morning when you know that kids across the land are screeching with excitement.

I am with sirzy

To me it is two things - the birth of Jesus Christ and a magical time to enjoy with my family.

Oh MNHQ! You really do seem to be very hot on moving threads atm. I put it in AIBU because there is a lot of traffic and I wanted lots of different views. I made a similar thread last year and got a bit flamed but so far this year all seems peaceful.