Why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas?

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   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   Why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas?
   
   Christmas is a celebration of the birthday of Christ.  Why do non-Christians celebrate Christmas?  Is this the reason people say the US government was founded based on Christian principles?
   
   

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   Louise Redwineposted 11 years ago

   Christmas is a pagan holiday, and actually has very little to do with actual Christianity. Yes, Christmas embodies many good Christian values- selflessness, love, family values, etc.- but Christ wasn't actually born on December 25, or really even in winter. Santa Claus is not a prophet of God and is not in the bible.
   As for the political side, I think the US government was founded with Christian values because it was a widely accepted religion at the time.
   Thanks for asking this question

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for answering Louise!

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   mikeq107posted 11 years ago

   Well back in the early 1800`s Christmas was not celebrated the way we know it now. It was more of a riot and public nuisance than a peaceful "Hark the herald Angels sing".
   
   On Christmas Eve in Boston and other cities roving gangs would go from door to door in the wealthy neighborhoods and sing carols in the hope of receiving food and drink and when this did not happen the house would receive a shower of bricks and stones and if some idiot lobbed his torch.......
   
   It became a major problem until somebody found a poem written by a Dutchman about a guy by the name of Saint Nick who would go from house to house and enter by the chimney and leave presents by the fire. At the same time the Germans came up with the Idea of decorating a tree and Sears and Roebuck brought out the first gift catalogue and Christmas moved in doors. And all because of a bunch of drunken carol singers we now have a delightful surprise on Christmas morning and empty bank accounts in January.
   
   The funny part is Christmas was never meant to be celebrated in the first place and they figure Jesus was born some time in November. In fact the only thing Jesus told his followers to do was break bread and drink wine in his name he never celebrated his birthday, come to think of it I can't think of anyone in the bible celebrating their birthday. The only reference is the manger story and it is never mentioned after that...correct me if I'm wrong???
   
   As regards the Christmas spirit, I personally don't think there is one, but I still give my son's gifts and celebrate it complete with tree and turkey, WHY? Because it's a fun tradition and a good excuse to get together with true friends. But I only give presents because I want too not because it's the thing to do.
   
   I guess if I was born in China or Iraq I would not be celebrating Christmas. It all has to do with the influence of society and local corporations or religious institutions.
   
   I bet Gods up there going "I never meant for this to happen but good luck to ya! anyway!!! See yawl! judgment day :0)

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I enjoyed reading your answer mikeq!  Informative and entertaining.

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   ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

   Christmas is celebrated by non-believers because the birthday of Christ is not tge image the world portrays.  Santa Claus is the figure of Christmas.  Jesus' birth is celebrated, but unfortunately holidays are commercial.  We focus on earthly things as the focus of our lives.  Christmas is the holiday of gift-giving and drinking egg nog.  Other than at church or in your home, where is Christmas recognized as the celebration of Jesus' birth?
   
   I just read about a law passed in Santa Monica to ban the nativity scene so that atheists and non Christians would not be offended by a 60 year old tradition of putting up a nativity scene in a major park.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Renee!  I've been following Santa Monica.  Why can't they just let both groups have a spot ... no harm no foul.

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      RevLadyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So true, so sad!

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      ReneeDC1979posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's the same thing I said Diane.  Why change a tradition completely?  Just let others start another tradition along with your own.  That's what we have now, each religion, culture, etc practices it's own traditions.

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      MickSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is pathetic cow-towing to minority groups, the government of Santa Monica should be ashamed of themselves.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I believe that case is about having a nativity scene on government property... which is against the constitution. (This from a Canadian)

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   Radical Rogposted 11 years ago

   Perhaps you should ask why Christians celebrate the winter solstice or Yule, an occult ritual celebrating the rebirth of the unconquered Sun, a ritual reaffirmed with another ritual on the first day of the year, so with closer ritual links than the Christian Christmas and New Year celebrations.
   And why do Christians celebrate Easter, originally the vernal equinox celebrating the coming of Beltane, with the Christian Easter being based on a ritual to the Teutonic fertility goddess Eostre. Eggs eggs relate to the cosmic world egg and the Orphic bird of resurrection, rabbits, actually hares are a fairly obvious fertility symbol.
   The goddess Oestre connects to the Babylonian goddess Istar and the Egyptian Isis.
   On top of this, most academics agree that Christ wasn't born on Christmas day, the Church simply renamed ancient pagan rituals after some saint or other. So why to Christians celebrate ancient pagan/occult rituals?

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good point. Just recently, the Pope said that Roman Catholic traditions are just as valuable as Biblical doctrine. Herein lies the problem: too many Christians are followers instead of seekers of truth. That, and they do not search the Scriptures.

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   MickSposted 11 years ago

   Because the midwinter festivals throughout the world, are far older than Christianity, there would already be a midwinter solstice festival in place to mourn and then celebrate the return of the sun.  That is why it was easy for a failing Christianity to, I believe in the 2nd century, move the birthdate of Christ, said to be in March sometime, steal the old Pagan solstice festivals and attatch them to the birth of Christ - 'look, the son of our god shares his birthday with your God, they must be the same.'

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Why do Christians assume that Christmas is for Christians? The roots of Christmas have nothing to do with Christianity. My lack of belief in a God does not mean I value family time any less. My lack of faith doesn't mean that I can't share a loving day with my children. My celebration of Christmas is no different than a Christian celebrating it. We both share the fact that neither of us are celebrating the real Christmas.

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      Renee Abbottposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As a child, and that was many years ago for me, everyone had to celebrate Christmas at the schools. We did not have a choice. Today, I have this love for Christmas trees. I call it Yule now. I would never honor or celebrate a holiday for christians.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 11 years ago

   Because Christmas is now much more than just one event. It's a bit hard to avoid Christmas in our society anyway. I don't believe but I celebrate Christmas. It is a time to be near friends and family  The commercialism is my least favorite thing about the holidays ... and I don't put Santa Claus in with that. I have very fond memories of my childhood when I think of Santa. We did go to church, but my favorite part was the music.
   
   I don't see why it bothers people how others celebrate Christmas. I saw so many nasty postings last year on FaceBook from Christians when anyone as much as wished anyone happy holidays or even Happy Hanukah. I don't see why they feel that need to attack. Of course, that is not the majority of Christians.

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   nightwork4posted 11 years ago

   only to christians. in case you haven't noticed, Santa Clause is the biggest part of christmas for most people and it's a holiday. it is about being with your family, not about some god to a lot of people.

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    Paul K Francisposted 11 years ago

    I believe that Christmas has become more than the sum of its parts, obtaining a magic of its own of which the celebration of the birth of Christ is the largest part for many and a big factor in its total appeal. May this magic be with us all.

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    safiq ali patelposted 11 years ago

    I come from a mixed muslim, christian and jewish family. I celebrate Christmas because I like the theme of love, peace, joy and goodwill to ALL men. God didn't come to earth just for Christians. I believe he came to earth for all people of all religions and for people with no religion as well. So because Christ had a big and open heart his birth I think should be free for all people to celebrate if they wish. Not just Christians.

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       How true!  He did not come for Christians.

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I'm a Christian and I give your answer two thumbs up as the best answer to this question (1Tim 4:10).

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    quildonposted 11 years ago

    I can't speak for non-Christians, but on the surface it would appear they celebrate Christmas because it is a public holiday and it has become highly commercialized. Few can resist the shopping frenzy that takes place this time of year. Beyond that, I think they become infected by the atmosphere of love, peace and generosity, typical of Christianity, that is present at this time of year. For those who say we are celebrating a pagan custom, I beg to differ. We are celebrating the birth of Christ, plain and simple, which took place way before early Christmas celebrations at the end of the Roman Saturnalia festival. Yes, we have lost the true meaning of Christmas, but I think the birth of the Savior of the world is always worth celebrating.

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       quildon, I looked up the winter solstice which is December 21 or 22.  So if the winter solstice is what non-Christians celebrate, why not do it on December 21 or December 22.

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       Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Why shouldn't people be allowed to celebrate Christmas in their own way? So what if people who don't believe celebrate the holiday, it's become so endemic in society and all the offices and stores are closed, etc.

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       peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Diane, one reason would be the federal government's favoritism to Christians. There is not a federal holiday recognized by employers for non Christian holidays.

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       quildonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       They are not celebrating the winter solstice, they are celebrating Christmas. They just choose not to admit it and to celebrate in their own way.

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       peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Personally I always say I celebrate Christmas. Christmas just has a different meaning to me than a Christian. I married a Christian so it would be weird if I had an issue with Christmas.Many should try learning more about us before making assumptions

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Peeples, Malenga Karenga came up with Kwanza which is a full week starting July 26.  I don't think the gov't favors Christians.  All a group needs to do is start publicizing and celebrating the soltice.  Those who share will pickup - make it viral

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       Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Of course the government favors Christians. They are closed for the Christmas holidays, not for Kwanza, not for Hanukah. If people want those days off they have to take them without pay.  But again, what does it matter to you how people celebrate?

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Uninvited, Jews are allowed to take Jewish holidays with pay.  Our school is out for 3 weeks so it encompasses a few of those days.  I do not recognize Kwanza because it was created in the 1980s to take away from Christmas.

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       Uninvited Writerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       So basically you are saying that people who are not Christian should not be allowed to celebrate Christmas. That it's for you only and anyone who believes differently is not really celebrating the season. That takes so much away from the holiday.

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        dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        No way Uninvited.  Whoever celebrates Christmas has the right to do it.  I was just wondering why they celebrate it.  I haev a hard time understanding someone saying they are celebrating the winter solstice.  Kwanza was suppose to be a distraction.

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    M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

    There are two culprits to blame for non-Christians celebrating Christmas. The first is old Christianity who assimilated the pagan holiday. Since Jesus wasn't actually born on December 25th, they shouldn't get upset when people steal the holiday that they stole centuries ago. The second party to blame is American capitalism. With the commercialization of figures like Santa, Rudolf, and Frosty, they made it possible for someone to celebrate the holiday with no religious association at all. I think a greater awareness of the holiday's roots would help to diffuse a lot of animosity that arises each December.

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    CrescentSkiesposted 11 years ago

    I get time off a very stressful degree in College, an excuse to get my little cousins to come visit, and I can finally sleep in after a semester of 2-3 hours of sleep a night.
    
    I couldn't care less if it was Christmas or Kwanzaa I'm celebrating as long as I get that.

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That's the spirit!

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    PlanksandNailsposted 11 years ago

    Christmas has nothing to do with Christianity. December 25th is the birthday of most pagan sun gods including Nimrod. When Christians celebrate Jesus' birth on this date it puts Him with other pagan gods such as Horus, Krishna, and Mithra.
    
    Pagans have celebrated the spirit of Nimrod who was a man who married his own mother, Semiramis. After Nimrod’s death, Semiramis created a doctrine in order to maintain Nimrod as a spirit being. The springing forth of new life, Nimrod’s spirit, represents an evergreen tree which Samiramis claimed had sprung forth from a dead tree stump. On each anniversary, Nimrod's spirit would visit the evergreen tree bestowing gifts to it. Pagans have celebrated this date long before Jesus Christ was even born.
    
    Thus says the LORD,“Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the nations are terrified by them; For the customs of the peoples are delusion; because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.“They decorate it with silver and with gold;They fasten it with nails and with hammers So that it will not totter. - Jeremiah 10:2-4
    
    There is no justification in the syncretism of pagan tradition as worship to Jesus Christ.
    
    Modern archaeology has proven the assimilation of pagan idolatry with an evergreen tree.
    
    Even the nativity scene is incorrect as the wise men visited Jesus approximately two years after He was born. The wise men gave gifts unto Jesus, they did not exchange gifts among themselves.
    
    Many Christian lack the historical knowledge and the meaning behind each and every pagan tradition from the tree, wreath, yule log, lights, etc... that they incorporate in their pagan celebration and justify it because they are thinking about Jesus while they are doing it.
    
    Does committing adultery on your spouse justified if you are thinking about her while you are doing it?
    
    “For of old you have broken your yoke and tore of your bonds. And you said, ‘I am not serving You,’ when on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, a whore.” - Jeremiah 2:20
    
    The candle in the wreath  is about male fertility, the phallus and the vagina. The yule log is the pagan symbol of the sun.
    
    God will not accept worship when people take a pagan custom or manner of worship and try to honor Christ with it.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Awesome commentary, Planks!!! Detailed, accurate, thought - provoking and well written...everything I've come to expect from you. :0)

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree Sledge.  I've learned a lot about the pagan predecessors just by reading comments here.  Thanks again Planks!

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       snapcracklepopposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       There is no mention in the Bible to annually celebrate the birth of Christ. Its well known that Jesus wasn't born on Dec 25. The Bible says the day of death is better than the day of birth.   (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4) Nice comment

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    Michael-Milecposted 11 years ago

    My answer would be they don't . Even so-called Christians barely celebrate the birthday of baby Jesus. The day or two off is taken for so many other activities and ongoing programs not related to the"Christmas" except the name. Due to the rejection of The God and godliness, it's being renamed to just a holidays , - most of the churches are closed for lack of interest for celebration of the christmass .
    Seems to me, that remnant of those of us devoted  and faithful do celebrate, in my words " I have Jesus in my heart, and do celebrate his presence everyday " Not being secretive , in our family, we never fell into habit of " buying gifts" , we do  get together in old fashion to talk about the days' importance , eating slightly diferent food than any other day, however without a drop of alcohol . We do thank God for His gracious gift of redeeming us back into His family , where we belong, via faith in Jesus The Lord .

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       thank you Michael!  You're right.  They call it Christmas but don't celebrate Christ.

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    CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years ago

    Diane:
    
    I have given this subject some serious thought over the years and I believe I have come to a logical conclusion. My answer is thus: the pagan influences and materialism surrounding the tradition of "Christ-Mass", is like a magnet attracting metal or light attracting bugs.
    
    It is also important to know that Christ Mass is a Roman Catholic invention, one which adopted many pagan customs, rites, and rituals from all over the Middle-East and Europe.
    
    Christ Mass also, according to Roman Catholic writings, commemorates the bitter, innocent, suffering, and death of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary, but they do not commemorate His victory over death or His subsequent resurrection. As you know, Catholics often display a defeated and dead Christ on a cross (crucifix)...BUT WE FOLLOW THE LIVING CHRIST...THE VICTORIOUS SON OF GOD.
    
    This, therefore, is another reason why I believe atheists and satanists, and a host of other non-believers gladly follow along - because they know this is NOT a true Christian holiday and Christ Jesus is not found in it.
    
    The Almighty warned the children of Israel that when they took over pagan lands, not to adopt the customs, rites, or rituals of those they conquered, but this is exactly what the Roman Catholic church has done, and then passed this abomination on down to those who adhere to their principles (knowingly or unknowingly). As the Almighty has said, "My children die because of their ignorance."
    
    At any rate, if this holiday was something mandated in Scripture and was as pure as the driven snow...the worldly would flee from it. But, what we have is a day that is built upon pagan traditions from Babylon (Mithris), ancient Rome (Saturnalia) and Scandinavia (Yuletide).
    
    I hate to say it, but the "Christmas" we know, has little to do with the Christ Child. Jesus, Himself, did not speak of His birth and the disciples did not observe it. In fact, the early Christian church thought it was wrong and even the Baptists, Puritans and Methodists in the "New World" outlawed its observance until the mid-1800's, because they knew what it was about...Roman Catholic tradition, pagan rituals, and spiritual compromise.
    
    On a personal note, I think one of the many dangers of Christ Mass is that many people think they are doing a good thing by remembering Christ (for a minute or two) on one night out of the year, when our Heavenly Father and Precious Savior deserves our love and devotion EVERY day of the year.

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Wow Sledge!  Great reflection and insight.

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    Anny Silvaposted 11 years ago

    Christmas has become a commercial holiday. For most people who celebrate it (even people who call themselves Christians) it isn't even about Christ at all. It has become a universally symbolic holiday that is about spending time with the people you love...

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    The Examiner-1posted 10 years ago

    Why not? Is there any rule which say they should not?

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    PlainTruthposted 8 years ago

    The simple answer is they shouldn't be celebrating it. It's not Christmas without Jesus at its center. But to answer your question, I think they celebrate it because we are a Christian nation, founded on Christian beliefs, so it is deeply ingrained in our country's history, holidays and traditions. Since most people (Christian and non-Christian alike) celebrate all the holidays, they also celebrate Christmas without giving it much thought.
    
    Almost all of our major holidays have a Christian teaching or principle as its basis - Christmas (birth of Christ), Thanksgiving (Pilgrims escaping religious persecution by thanking God for surviving the winter), Easter (resurrection of Christ), Memorial Day (God says we should serve others so we honor armed forces members for their service), Labor Day (God commands we rest from our work), July 4th (celebrates our country's founding and freedom from England who took away our religious freedoms), and Father's and Mother's Day (God commanded we honor our parents). Basically the only day without a Christian basis is Halloween, and even that is followed on November 1st by All Saints Day. God and our holidays are inseparable even if you don't understand God's role in them.

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    tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

    Because everyone can rally around giving gifts to a baby.

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    snapcracklepopposted 7 years ago

    Non-Christians celebrate Christmas because they don't know any better or they don't realize that Christmas comes from pagan origins or because they've been taught to celebrate Christ' birthday and because the world that's "alienated" from God's will and from the accurate knowledge contained in the Bible concerning the celebration of holidays, these ones lack.....There are also uninformed believers or people who claim to be christian, who celebrate Christmas. The principle against celebrating holidays, birthdays and the celebrating of any other type of "day" "week", "year", is found in God's Word at Romans 1:25 and Galatians 4:8-11

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       dianetrotterposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       I believe that the Lord should be celebrated every day.  I don't have enough room to cite OT references to Jewish feasts and celebrations.  Those were the celebrations Paul spoke of to the Jews.

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       snapcracklepopposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       The key word is "principle". Those celebrations had ceased yet the Jews refused to stop celebrating those feasts and festivals, so the apostle Paul had to firmly give them counsel. The same principle applies today. Holidays aren't acceptable to God.

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    celafoeposted 6 years ago

    because it is a non Christian celebration of debachery and self pleasing

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