How to Enjoy Christmas

I read an article recently where a man suggested that we behave as UN-Christians and not guilt ourselves into believing that celebrating Christmas is, well, UN-Christian. I understood what he was saying, and there were some truths to his essay, but I can't help but believe that there is no need to behave UN-Christlike in order to enjoy Christmas. And I do understand that the author, who's name escapes me at the moment, was only making a point, not intending to be sacrilegious.

The Christmas, or Holiday, season is in full force now. And I think there are some ways in which we can all enjoy this time of year, whether we are Christians or not. There are plenty of traditions, parties, good cheer, et cetera and so forth, to go around.

While I am a Christian and cannot speak for anyone other than myself, I will try to make a couple of suggestions to the atheists and agnostics in order to make this a more festive season:

For starters, quit whining over the displays of nativity scenes. You can't realistically be offended by a manger scene and a handful of live animals. And if you are, then you're more sensitive than the Christians you complain about, and that is saying something these days. Some of us know that there are errancies in the traditional nativity scene, such as wise men being present and such. There is no need to act as if the entire manger scene is a farce.

Secondly, quit with the Winter Solstice stuff already. Even though you are accurate in your accounts and reasons for the celebration. Over the years, Christmas has been altered and changed and has picked up some pagan traditions along the way. But so has your Winter Solstice. Neither are "pure" celebrations. They have evolved and adapted. So there is no need to flaunt human knowledge over tradition here. And if many Christians would take time to realize the truth of the matter, you're argument wouldn't hold water.

Thirdly, If you disagree with Christmas so much, then don't celebrate it. It never bothers an atheist to go against the grain in matters of God, the courtroom, politics, litigations over 'In God We Trust' being on our money, and so on. So don't neglect your freedom of intellect and your superiority in "cold, hard truth". If you won't "conform" in day to day life, then don't conform to matters dealing with Christmas. The Winter Solstice contains more mythology than Christmas. So just say "No" to the season...of course that means no gifts. And that usually breaks the will of the most hardened atheist.

And now for the advice to the Christians:

Lighten up! Do you think God wants us to celebrate Jesus birthday by being so uptight and overly sensitive? And besides, Jesus didn't ask for a party or a day of remembrance; that was a human idea. No where does the Bible mention Christmas. Actually, it kinda goes against Jesus personality and ministry of serving others and humility.

Secondly, accept what non Christians believe. I don't believe that they have cornered the market on truth and I fully believe in the Holy Bible, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit; but there is no need to try to beat a person to death with the truth. we were all given freewill and God loves us all. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, so actually he is here for the atheist and agnostic more so than the Christian. We need to remember that.

Don't get so uptight about the tradition of Christmas and the meaning of Christmas. If you do your research you will discover that there are many pagan, heathen, and secular aspects to the items and issues that we celebrate as Christmas. Only in our ignorance and piety have we tried to make all of these things serve our purposes and traditions. The atheists and agnostics have done better homework than the Christian in this regard; and have not believed something that has been spoonfed to them.

And didn't Paul write about not making such a big deal out of things like this? Didn't he promote a give and take ideology in areas such as this? An evergreen tree and and elf have nothing to do with salvation and less to do with ministry. Lights and gifts have loose meaning to mankind and Christianity, but does nothing to aid in helping the widows and orphans; and any way we look at it we can remain un-spotted from the world because that is a heart issue, not a legalistic matter.

Fourthly, Celebrate all of the traditions that make you happy. Don't try to place religious meaning and significance to every little detail. And don't listen to people who tell you to do such. If Santa likes a plate of cookies and a thank you note from the kids, then give Santa cookies and words. Don't try to wrap your head around who is Santa and what does he stand for. If you enjoy Christmas lights and Christmas dinner at Mom's, then enjoy those things. If Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas give you a nice traditional feel and you enjoy them with your children, then just do it. Feel the warmth of your family. Watch you children become engrossed in some of your childhood favorites. Don't spoil things by wondering if you are sending the wrong message to your children.

Fifthly, do something for someone else. And encourage your family to do the same. That is the spirit of Christmas. Just as God gave us Jesus, we should give something of ourselves to others. And remind little ones that Christmas is about Jesus. Tell them that is the heart of Christmas, regardless of what others may say. Teach them that Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies at birth and that those prophecies show us that he is the Messiah. Teach them about the humility of being born in a manger and about ministry of serving others through out their lives. That way Christmas is year round and there is no conflict of what a specific, man made day means.

We should all remember that Christmas is a mix of tradition, religion, ceremony, and Jesus. Jesus crossed many cultural and social barriers to reach others and we should do the same. If we really wanted to honor His birthday, then we would follow His examples and alter our hearts. We wouldn't get so excited about wondering if XMas is Christian Greek or secular "non-existence" Enjoy the traditions and remember the Lord, no more no less.

Maybe this will help everyone to loosen up and enjoy the holidays. We have so many negative issues and bad news this year that we all need a break from reality. The economy, the war, politics, and everyday life can steal Christmas joy and magic from us if we let it. I suggest that we just relax, respect, and learn to get lost in our thoughts while watching Charlie Brown or looking at Christmas lights while drinking a cup of hot chocolate. There is no need for guilt and less need for the answer of who is right or wrong in their view of Christmas.

And pray for our troops. Just as Christmas should be everyday, so should our prayers for our troops. And if we let the debate of who is right or wrong about Christmas rob us of peace and joy; maybe we should change places with a soldier, or at least be thankful and remember that we are home with our friends and loved ones because the soldiers are away from their families, protecting us and our ideologies.