What do I tell the rest of the world about my not celebrating Christmas?
Apparently, I'm not allowed to refrain from it.
I feel forced to do 'Christmas Occasion' events every year. How do I best explain that I do not believe in the parties, gifts, etc - to a majority of society who is caught up in Xmas 'favours'?
I can sympathize, christmas can be fun but it can also be stressful and can break the bank! I am going to have some pie and pick up some friends from the airport and call my family back in the states, thats all I have planned. Nothing wrong with having a nice quiet day off without having to go all out with parties and presents and lights n all that junk. It can seem very wasteful actually, especially if it is not all that important a holiday to you. My husband and his family do not really do the presents thing except with the kids (niece and nephew) otherwise we wait till the after christmas sales and buy presents together out shopping. We find its cheeper and you usually will get something you actually like that way too. Religiously speaking its not really about presents and santa and stuff, its about the birth of you know who. For me its a good chance to connect with people that I have not kept up with during the year and a welcome break during the gloomy winter season and thats really enough for me
Thank you for speaking on the 'material' aspect of the season! There are actually "Help groups" in the business community of most developed countries - to help people problem-solve about overspending and DEBT each year following Xmas season. What is this world coming to when it is almost unanimously agreed to ALLOW DEBT and overspending - to place this idea in the ideology of developed culture - each and every year?
You don't have to celebrate Christmas necessarily; even Jesus and Mary never celbrated it.
Here we are almost a year later.
So, what did you learn? What strategies did you use to not celebrate, what worked, what didn't? Was it better just go with the proverbial flow of having events, parties, gifts, etc... or did you fight it all the way?
Were meds required?
just tell them the truth why you don't celebrate and they will see reasons,
after all Christmas is not suppose to be by force and everyone have right to and not to celebrate.
my opinion
People actually ask me "WHY NOT?" why don't I celebrate...then when I tell them, they turn conversation into a lecture to CONVINCE ME that it's okay to celebrate xmas, do this for OTHERS just for one day a year.
It's not that I get ANGRY over this - just frustrated. And people assume I can't be left alone on Xmas, either or I'll be depressed lol
It's just a lovely quiet, restful day for me when people leave me alone for xmas
that's when you turn it around on them and ask them "why do YOU celebrate Christmas?". it's always amusing to watch them go "um, er, well..."
I don't celebrate any holy days, Christmas included. Most people don't even realize It is NOT even Christian. Jesus knew nothing of such a thing and in fact, condemned all such gaudy greed and selfish behavior.
Just tell them you don't celebrate. No one can force you to do anything you don't want to do.
Nope, you're right...nobody can totally FORCE me to do what I don't want to do - but peoples' behaviors can become very, very uncomfortable for me at this time of year.
Nobody can force me - but they can be (and usually are) very manipulative, passive aggressive and unpleasant.
It's easiest to 'give in' much of the time...which only sets a pattern whereby the people I give in to come to expect I'll give in every year - and more easily so each year
Thank you lyricsingray - I don't feel the need to justify my choices to you, now that you've stated this - now...
What block in my city do you live in so I can collect you and bring you with me to the 'family' event I am attending later on. When I leave early - if I leave early - I want backup in the form of a peer who doesn't feel I should be forced to stay lol
The link above talks about depression especially around the holidays
it may even help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRW6insEjhE
Why don't you, indeed?
You do not like spending? Traditions? Crowds?
For me Christmas is just a nice tradition. A family dinner, a reason to get together at least once a year. To have a nice dinner. To give some small presents if I have any, or just kind words and attention.
And if you do not want any of it, who cares? It's your personal thing. You do not have to explain to anybody.
why do you have an urge to tell everyone or explain yourself? Just don't...
@kirstenblog, What do you mean "you know who"?
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
People celebrate in all different ways.
What bothers me is people who don't even recognize that it is the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ's birth.
I know people like this, they are very selfish, prideful, greedy of their money and time. They also disregard family and friends.
I see you are a big fan of Christ's teaching. "Judge those who do not subscribe to your belief system as being selfish, prideful and greedy." For there is none so righteous as a forgiven sinner.
Happy Winter Solstice to you.
You have to stick up for what you believe in!!!!!!! christmas is of the devil, based on a lie and saturated with non-scriptural ceremonies and events.
Christmas is a non celebration, since the lord showed me how wrong it is. Remember christ said that father will be against the son, daughter against the mother... if a man love these more than me he is not worthy of the kingdom of God.
Now get out there soldier and declare christmas for what it really is! a blot on truth, respect and pureness of service toward Jesus.
if you want an alternative: the birthdate is sept 6th... the churches if they want to celebrate christs birthday should put a more sincere attitude toward it and get the date right. The church should separate from pagan practices (the tree for example) and separate from soltice night completely. This reproves the work of darkness not mingles with it.
christians are so wrong to do christmas. Its not their fault they are just being sheep but they are not hearing the masters voice they are harkening onto Constantine and the worlds voice.
read hebrews 11 if you want to know what mighty people of faith did when their backs were to the wall. Noah for example, bult an ark for 120yrs and was ridiculed by all those who did not get into the ark. Abram - father of a great nation, that's what his name means.. 87yrs old - no kids, wife of equal age.. can you imagine walking arojund with a name that to everyone meant father of a great nation and being childless? Often close ones and strangers ridicule us for our belief in gods ability to bring us through every situation and on top! But those who stick to their convictions, their belief in God always come out blessed, even twice blessed.
be encouraged.
my parents got used to it. A baptist church is shocked! some laughed some frowned but i glowed lol.
Glory to God.
What a ridiculous concept: Ragging on someone because they don't celebrate Christmas! You don't need to legitimize your actions or non-actions. But if people are making you uncomfortable, tell them you are Muslim. That will no doubt shut them up in a big, fat hurry .
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