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"Do You Love Christmas Yet?"


Only a few years ago I had made a name for myself as "the girl who didn't keep Christmas" or "the girl who liked arguing about Christmas". 

For that reason, I have been putting this post off for a long time, despite having promised several people that I planned to write it and having those same people ask me, "When are you going to write it?"

I hate this subject so much. It's not that I hate Christmas, or even wish that the entire world would stop celebrating. I could care less. But there are many bitter memories wrapped into my confession of non-celebration.

Back when I was first a Ruby Girl, when I'd previously never even had a sleepover let alone stayed away from home over without family, I found my beliefs being challenged by everyone around me, but especially by a couple boys a few years younger than me.


"You don't keep Christmas?" He asked. "That's stupid. Why?"

I'll admit I was unsettled. I was only eighteen and had never defended any of my beliefs. I'd researched them, yes, but that's different than actually debating them with another individual that disagrees with you. And then being told it's stupid on top of that. And then feeling new and having no confidence in my surroundings, I didn't know how to answer. 

I laughed nervously. Then stammered a bunch of stupid answers that were far from satisfactory, including, "It's a pagan and Catholic holiday." So I said, "I'll research it and get back to you tomorrow."

Disclaimer: I was raised with old Protestant/ Anabaptist influences, meaning I read a lot of literature and history of how a lot of Believers left the Catholics and were persecuted by them. As a result, I grew up around many people who thought Catholics were about as evil as one could get, being idol worshippers and killers of true lovers of God. I have since learned that there are many Catholics who I believe are sincerely in love with the true God and have brilliant minds and can discuss God's word with more maturity than most protestants I know. Also note that not all Protestants and Anapabtist were raised as I was, and many modern ones don't even think of Catholicism, much more hate them.

The next night, which happened to be December 25th, all of us younger people were sitting around. I had studied as I promised I would, but the other boy initiated the conversation. "So have you changed your mind about Christmas?"

"No." And then I shared all that I have known through my parents and grandparents my entire life but hadn't been able to express before.

I actually don't want to fill this post up with all those reasons, as they are quite easy for anyone to google. But I will briefly summarize: 

  • No-one knows when Jesus was truly born. Many scholars even say it was probably in the Spring or September. Currently, there is a movement going around trying to prove that His birthday was indeed December 25th. But in all honesty, it's impossible to prove one way or another. 
  • Early Christians viewed it as a pagan practice to celebrate birthdays, and much preferred celebrating the deaths of martyrs. 
  • The early Catholic church was also very intent on merging Pagans into Christianity and saving their souls, sometimes through warfare, sometimes by adopting Pagan traditions and making them "Christian". In this manner, Christmas was established as Jesus' birthday a couple centuries after the fact. Most sources seem to agree that the time was originally the Winter Solstice celebration where Pagans worshipped the sun-god. 

Some say that this "sanctifying" of the day is all the more reason to make it better. My friend back then told me, "It's like it was a broken chair and the church mended it."

And I said, "Was it a broken chair, or a piece of rotted wood?" If it was only a broken chair, then the early church had every right to reform it. But, I said, it had never been a good holiday. It was corrupt to the core, and the church took that deformed wood and built a chair out of it, covering it with bright paints and fancy clothes. The chair might look pretty, but if one were to sit on it, they would find it was still no better than the rotted wood that it was made from, and that it would have been better that it had been thrown out altogether. 

Some people have likened it to Hitler's birthday, a date that we do not celebrate and would cause much offense to Jews and others if we did. But what if we took that day and "said" it represented something else ... that way we and Nazis could celebrate together. What is the difference between celebrating on a day that honors a Pagan God? 

  • If you're curious, you can also google all the reasons behind the Christmas tree, gift-giving, wreaths, and so forth. 
We hashed out these arguments every single time we were together. Eventually, we both became known as the two that liked to argue, and we'd argue about anything and everything, including if cats or dogs were better. It actually got a little annoying but became an unbreakable habit.

I spent two Christmases there, and both times, while I enjoyed the parties and games and friends, the constant barrage of,  "Do you love Christmas yet?" really started to grate my nerves.

And then he decided I argued too much and quit talking to me. And other people involved seemed set on "changing me and making me celebrate". And most of those friends no longer speak to me. 

For a time I hated Christmas. I hated how it had come to define me, how I had lost friends over it, and how some even seemed to think I was evil to not keep Christmas. I hated how it had become a huge part of my outward identity. And I hated how so many people couldn't simply leave me alone and respect the fact that I didn't wish to celebrate this holiday and could care less if they continued in their traditions. Though I'm still very forthright about my beliefs, this is still a sore subject I prefer not to discuss with most people.

"But you have to celebrate His birthday on someday," I'm told. "So why not December 25th?"

But why do I have to celebrate something I've never celebrated in my entire life? Why must I keep Christmas? 

It is a beautiful holiday, they tell me. It is a time for family to be together, and to feel the presence of God.

I enjoy Christmas music and lights, but I also have seen all the stress and drama and fighting that goes on behind many people's Christmas scenes. And the work before and after preparing and cleaning up. And, oh, there is always so much money spent.

It is all about Jesus, they say. 
And it isn't like the people I know don't worship Him. They certainly do. But ... if they were really honest, they aren't celebrating just because of Him. 

Fast-forward to when I bypassed my bitter days, to today where I now have a more solid standing of who I am along with my beliefs. I'm no longer as upset about losing friends and feeling pressured to change. And I also no longer feel the need to defend myself in this area, or even debate the topic with others. And yet, I've had to come to terms of why I don't keep Christmas. 

I think it's time for some family history. 

Growing up, I didn't really know what Christmas or Easter was. My family never celebrated, and when the days came along they were normal days for us. I do remember our landlord giving us some chocolate for Easter (I think) and Mom and Dad discussing if we should accept or not, and Dad finally saying we should. And then I remember some other neighbors giving us candy for Halloween. Dad said back then, "People are free to give us whatever they like. There's nothing wrong with accepting stuff." 

My parents have never celebrated the holidays either. And neither has my dad's parents. 

When I was in my early teens my mom would go through phases of liking Hallmark Christmas movies. I think it was the romance she liked, haha. Anyways, I saw lots of those, and still had no desire to keep Christmas, and though it was as silly as the romances displayed. Or how "Christmas brought love into a cold heart" ... cold, often because the guy liked working too much. 

(Quick tangent: I dislike how movies demonize the virtue of hard work.)

To me, I see a bunch of people telling each other things that are inaccurate in the name of tradition, spending money on junk because they "have to" and talking about this mysterious feeling they get only at Christmas time. Which I find so very sad. Sometimes I think my family might even be happier most days than people are on this one day of the year. 

You see, there's no sentiment wrapped up in Christmas for me. No sentiment, no tradition, no attachment or desire of any sort. 

And I just realized this as I've been watching more and more people celebrate or defend their celebrations at the rise of many anti-Christmas people. To some people, Christmas is very, very special.

And, believe it or not, I'm coming to appreciate this. I'm coming to appreciate the traditions, and even how Catholics have "remade" the day, and how Americans have "remade" it from how Catholics passed it on to them. I also know many people that celebrate it as only a holiday without religious attachments, which I actually prefer, because I think they are more honest about the "reason for the season": a fun family gathering of decorations, gifts, and food. 

I do feel like many people's why's for celebrating are really just lies. 
"It's the season for joy," says who? Definitely not God, as He says to always have joy. 
"When I wake up on Christmas morning, I think of Jesus." But shouldn't you always? 
And now we come to the two major questions people have of me. 

I don't think it's possible to make something pagan into something Christian, because we don't serve of God of compromise, but a God of reformation and restoration. God asks for us to give up our old lives and follow Him only. So how can we keep ahold of anything that is apart of our former sin?

It is arguable that Christmas isn't a holiday that compromised with Paganism but caused reformation. But only slightly, as many of the immoral celebrations continued long after the institution of the holiday, and in some ways continue on to these days among young people. Yet, anything can be traced to paganism, including water. And before Hitler was born April 20th was only a day. So, I think one can get too caught up with trying to distance themselves from paganism. And once you get started on such a path, it is hard to be free to do anything, because everything from the heart symbol to the calendar to the drums can be traced back to paganism. 

And now for the two major questions weighing on all of your minds. 

"Do you think I'm going to Hell for keeping Christmas?" 
 No. I do think Christmas has Pagan roots. But I don't think the analogy of the broken chair or of the rotted piece of wood needs to apply. The celebration does have Pagan roots, but humans are free to take the baby out of the bathwater. People are free to party, even if it's not a God-ordained holiday. God doesn't forbid joy. And if you find joy in Christmas, celebrate. 

But please, stop trying to tell me I'm evil for feeling joyful without Christmas. 

If you are considering quitting Christmas, here are some things to consider: 

  • If you were to buy everything in the song "Twelve Days Of Christmas", according to multiple sources, it would total around $39,000. Please, give me the money, not the gifts. 
  • On average, people spend $700-1000 on Christmas, and in America, several sources  claim we spent a trillion dollars together. To put things in more perspective, many of these gifts are bought out of obligation and many of the gifts are received with fake enthusiasm, and later discarded.
I prefer to give gifts because I want to, not because I have to. For this reason, I hardly even give gifts on birthdays. I also like to give meaningful gifts, often handmade. 

If you do decide to discontinue keeping Christmas, here are somethings I'd like you to consider: 

  • Just because you now feel enlightened on this one subject doesn't mean you are more holy than those who still celebrate. Remember, there is nothing wrong with worshipping God more than He requires of us. And there is nothing wrong with having fun when it's not immoral. 
  • Do not try to force others to stop celebrating with you. This is something for personal conviction either and is not a salvation issue that's worth losing friendships over. 
  • And if you do stop, it will be very hard for you. Not only will you have the sentimental attachments I never had, but you will also have many more family members and friends who have those too and who will feel attacked by you for discontinuing. It will be much harder for you. I lost a couple friends, and have had friendships strained because of misunderstandings over this day. But you may lose family. Consider if it's truly your conscious leading you to this and if that cost is worth it to you. 

And for those of you who plan to always observe your traditions and holiday, I ask only one thing of you: don't judge those of us who wish not to. 

This is not a salvation issue. 
Let those who wish to celebrate do so, and those who don't, leave us in peace. 
"What does Christmas look like in your home?"
A normal day. Most years we didn't realize it was a holiday. When we kids got older we'd have fun with it and change Christmas songs to make them "not-Christmasy". Or we'd laugh and eat food and watch movies since we are mostly all self-employed and no-one wants you to work on Christmas day. The last couple of years friends invited us over to their house. And why not accept a good meal?

And yes, there's a special humor in families who don't keep Christmas, where we like to do things like sing "we wish you an awful Christmas and a terrible new year" or put a unicorn on top of a Christmas tree.

If you want more funny "anti-Christmas" stories, Google how Oliver Cromwell protested Christmas or how Tories and Patriots fought over Christmas. Or how the early Pilgrims started building their first building on December 25th.

Oh, the things we humans do for spite, haha. 


Final question: "Would you marry someone who keeps Christmas, and would you keep Christmas with him?" 
I know some people who would consider this a dealbreaker. Because to keep a once-pagan holiday is equal to being a Pagan. 
Personally, I don't view it as a salvation issue. And I also understand that the other person may have sentimental connections that are not easily nor necessarily should be severed. Yes, I do not like the idea of keeping Christmas because of my family beliefs and because of my personal values of minimalism and money-spending. But if the holiday is that important to a guy I who is overall a good guy, I would compromise in this area. Begrudgingly, maybe, but still all the same, I'd embrace what's important to him.

And I can already hear my old friends saying, "YES. She's converted."

I just won't listen to those voices ;)

Though, I'd expect to have some thorough discussions about how we'd do it with children. Because there's no way I'd ever feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars for a holiday. 

I have given gifts to people when staying with them as I didn't want to cause unnecessary offense. My last Au Pair family was actually offended when I said I didn't keep Christmas because they assumed I would not "assimilate" with them and exchange gifts. Which I found a bit annoying because isn't Christmas supposed to be not about the gifts? 

Some of you take pride in your Christmas traditions. Is there anything wrong with me or my my family having pride in how we were raised? No its not a self-inflaged pride where we think we're better, but a deep appreciation for how we were raised.

Soon, I'll be making a YouTube video about the history of Christmas in America which closely ties into my own family history of not celebrating. 

I'd love to know your thoughts. And feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Comments

  1. You know what I find interesting? Just a year ago (well, I guess two years ago, I keep thinking it's 2019), I would have argued with you or just not have commented on this post.
    But now, I agree with you and this post, and it feels weird from going from someone who literally sang happy birthday to Jesus Christmas morning to someone who believes it's just another pagan holiday and a time to gather with family if anything.
    My biggest reason for no longer celebrating it as Jesus's birth besides the roots, is that it is never commanded in the Bible. We're told to remember Jesus's death and resurrection, but it says nothing of His birth.
    I actually found a pretty good post on why Christian's shouldn't celebrate Christmas as anything godly that I think you'd probably appreciate and would love to hear your thoughts on: https://housetohouse.com/wrong-celebrate-christmas/

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    1. It's funny how time, even such a small amount of it, can change us, yes?

      Not being commanded to do it in the Bible is something most people wouldn't notice, for sure. Or the fact that His birth is hardly recorded at all. Though, I do think one may do more than they are commanded. I mean there's nothing wrong with having healthy fun.

      Thanks for sharing that article. I've read many like it, but really enjoyed how brief and to the point it was. Here is what I commented on it:
      ///
      "Very good post! My grandparents brought up my parents not celebrating Christmas, and my family did the same.

      One thing I'll note is where you quotes scripture saying Jesus told us to remember his Death. I do believe we should remember His death, but that verse wasn't saying "remember my death" but "remember me". Usually when you remember one you remember their life. And the communion verses weren't saying to remember him on Sunday, or commandments of any sort. They were actually showing how believers gathered together and abusing the drinking and eating of wine and bread. But there aren't actual commandments there, except to say that coming together wasn't for the purpose of eating the Lord's Supper.

      Enjoyed how brief and concise this post was!"
      ///
      Thanks for sharing, Gray! Again, I love how you say that two years ago you would have disagreed or not commented. It's a reminder to me to be careful myself how I judge others. We never know what God will reveal to us, or if He's revealing different things to different people. Many of us our on the same path, but most of us are equipped differently.

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  2. I commend you for addressing this topic, I know it must have been difficult. I think it's important for everyone to remember that people "celebrate" Christmas in many, many different ways. We do not buy gifts for our children, but we do like to bake lots of goodies and take them around to all our neighbors on Christmas Eve. We do not believe Dec. 25 is Jesus' actual birthday, but we do believe Jesus coming to earth is something worth celebrating all year round. We do not appreciate the commercialism of modern day Christmas, but we do love the time off from school and work that allows us to have special family time. Since this is not a salvation issue in any way, as you mentioned, I think we're all free to approach Christmas however we want.

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    1. You make a good point. Most people don't celebrate as in the Hallmark movies. And I know many people like you who celebrate more simple. I agree we should all be free to approach Christmas as we desire. Thanks for your lovely comment.

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  3. We stopped "celebrating" Christmas when I was under 10 years old, mostly as my parents believed that it was not commanded, has pagan origins, and shouldn't be part of the church (i.e. special Christmas services). (We've also seen churches completely closed on Sundays when December 25th falls on a Sunday...like...what??) If Christians want to celebrate it personally, in their own homes, that is up to their conscience.

    We gave gifts for a few years after that (no wrapping, no tree), and then eventually just stopped altogether. Now it's just a few days off (though sometimes we'll still pop in to work or buckle down and get farm work done).

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    1. I had no idea you and your family don't celebrate. Thanks for sharing your story. Have you all received flack for it?

      It really bothers me how some churches don't to sevices if Christmas is on December 25. I mean, is it about Jesus or not? And even though I don't perosnally have a problem with a tree, it does bother me a little that churches put them up. And it bothers many people who DO Christmas.

      I agree it should be up to the conscious, and that churches shouldn't push it so much.

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    2. (If I may jump in: hear, hear, to the closed churches on Christmas thing. That's always struck me as weird and wrong.)

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  4. #1. The Date of Yahshua Messiah's birth date is a matter of fact the 15th day of the 7th moon. And discovery starts with Luke the first Chapter of what course Zacharia was doing his course as High Priest. And the clue's to this mystery continue to unravel as you do the research on this time frame. But, without the "Knowledge" of the Creation Calendar of the Moon....the answer will always evade you because no other calendar will work for this date and time line.

    #2. For those who feel that this subject of Christmas is a salvational issue or not, read the following;

    Can people actually do miracles cast out devils without doing the will of the Father? Can people actually think they are using the Father's name when they invoke him with the Titles of lord and god? Will you be of those who are disillusioned right up to when you are rejected and told by Yah you are none of his?

    Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

    To those of you who think none of these side issues apply to you because you are saved ...and these things don't pertain to salvation, read the following;

    2Pe 1:1 ¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Yahshuah Messiah,......... to them that have obtained like precious faith with us..........[...Is this you?.....Have you obtained this like precious Faith?]........ through the righteousness of Yah and our Saviour Yahshuah Messiah:

    Well nothing else matters right? You are saved, and all other issues are moot and irrelevant right? Wrong...let us read on...;

    2Pe 1:5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

    And the Apostle Peter "Adds 6 things " to "ADD" to your like precious Faith. One of these 6 things is a word godliness = to be like Yahshuah Messiah! If your lifestyle is doing after the likeness of the Idolatrous Heathen , you are not like Yah! What are you supposed to do about it? Are you suppose to say, Oh, I am saved anyway.....and I don't have to do any differently to be saved cause it don't relate to my salvation?" Wrong! Let us read on;

    2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

    So now the Apostle Paul is saying to those who have obtained to this like precious faith....that you are blind and have forgotten that you were purged from your old sins.......and are still living in your sins.....let us read on;

    2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

    11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Yah and Saviour Yahshuah Messiah.

    12 ¶ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

    Your like precious faith of your salvation has not availed for you to enter the everlasting Kingdom of Yah....until you have ADDED these 7 things in 2Peter 1:1-12 you are still living in your old sins.....and you must be diligent to make your calling and election sure, or you will be as those doing miracles, casting out devils, prophesying, and get rejected because you never thought it necessary to quit keeping Christmas,, Easter, and all those pagan ways....and of course there are many ways that we can be different from being in the likeness of Yahshuah Messiah! So start adding this Knowledge and quit talking and acting like your Salvation is going to take you in without doing the will of the Father!

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  5. Thank you for sharing this, Keturah. I'm sorry you had such negative experiences with people responding to your decision not to keep Christmas. Having your beliefs called "stupid" to your face must sting like poison. :(

    I won't deny that being told "Christmas is a pagan holiday" feels like a slap in the face to me. Not that I feel that the claim attacks me, personally; but it *is* an attack on something which is fundamentally important to my life as a Catholic Christian. (You know the Chesterton quote, "You cannot love something without wanting to defend it"? It's like that.) Also, it's still really hard for me to wrap my head around the logic of that point of view.

    On my most recent grappling with it, I came to the conclusion that it's a natural result of the Protestant Reformation and sola scriptura. It all comes down to Church authority. The question is, "Who says it's okay to celebrate Christ's birthday on this day?" And the answer for Catholics is, "The Church, of course. Papal decree, right there in (whatever century)." There is a multitude of reasons why the Church's decision makes sense, but if you don't believe that the Church has the authority to make those kinds of decisions, there's no reason you should accept her reasons if your own make better sense to you. So Christmas becomes just one small facet of a much larger issue.

    The right to follow one's conscience is a fundamental one. I admire you for following yours even when it's hard. And I hope that, in my defense of Christmas, I never come off as attacking you personally, my dear friend. Because I really do admire you.

    (I *do* have thoughts on some of the objections you've posed to Christmas, of course. But I sense this post was intended mainly as a personal testimony and explanation, rather than as an invitation for heated debate. So I shall hold my tongue for now.) :)

    God bless you, dear!

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    1. First I want to reply to the middle of your comment. Im sorry this felt like a slap to the face. It wasn't my goal to make judge anyone, but simply and for once explain myself. You're actually the one I was mostly referring to who gave me the "shove" I needed to write this post. So thanks for the encouragement.

      Being called stupid shocked me more than stung me in the moment. I have pretty tough skin and sometimes it can take months, if ever, for something to sink in. Also, intentions matter. And that boy didn't mean to be mean when he said that, so I told nothing against him.

      I love that quote by Chesteron, and relate wholeheartedly. And I understand how hearing the word pagan linked to Christmas would be hurtful as it does attack all you value and love.

      And I've never felt attacked from you. I enjoy our stimulating disagreements.

      I've never even considered how this might force you to grapple such hard questions.

      I do have one question to your comment on church authority. Do you think that the church has so much authority that anything they do is justified? Such as the persecution of others who didn't believe like them (protestants, Jews, Muslims, Anabaptists, etc). I hope that question doesn't offend you, but I'm honestly curious to know your thoughts on that.

      And I'm not against to seeing your oppositions. Here or in email, whichever you prefer;)

      Thanks for your very nice comment;)

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    2. I want to add that I've often said I believe only a few people do Christmas "correctly".

      1. Catholics, because it is THEIR holiday, and the rest of the world adapted it from them.

      2. Atheists/ commercialists/ people who say it's just about family and gifts. Because they don't make pretenses as to purpose of the season.

      3. Christians who throw out commercialism and have a sort of "home service" with their children, because they aren't saying anything to "justify" their celebrations.

      Not that I think one can't have a grand Christmas AND really think about Jesus above all. But from what I've seen there's usually a level of hypsocry among the majority of non-Catholic modern Christians when it comes to "why" and how they celebrate.

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    3. Oh dear, I didn't mean that this article felt like a slap in the face, at all. I'm sorry if I gave that impression, because I've never ever felt hurt by YOU. :) It's simply the belief itself that stings. The realization that yes, there are reasonable people who believe this; that it's not just something petty people say to undermine Christianity, but a heresy (as I see it) which is held in a doctrinal way by good Christians who love God. If that makes any sense at all. The possessor of a belief and the way they profess that belief are distinct from the belief itself; you and your conviction and your way of handling it are all beautiful. So please don't think you've hurt me in any way, because you certainly haven't. :)

      Regarding Church authority--that's a good question. Not offensive at all, cuz it is a real problem, high-ranking Catholics doing unspeakable things. Of course I don't believe in unjust persecution of Protestants (or anyone else), but neither does the Church.

      Catholic doctrine is careful to distinguish between the Church as institution and the members of that institution. We believe that the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit (through the Holy Spirit's guidance of the magisterium/tradition, i.e. papal infallibility), and therefore her teaching authority is infallible. In other words, we can trust whatever she says about faith and morals.

      HOWEVER. There have been corrupt members of the Church, and even corrupt *leaders* of the Church, ever since the Twelve Apostles, the first bishops. There are people in positions of power who abuse that power. There are members of the Body of Christ who do unspeakable things. And whenever that happens--when a Christian murders or persecutes someone, when a pope takes a mistress, when a priest commits a grave sin--it's not the Church which is doing that, but individual members betraying their trust. Traitors in Charlemagne's ranks, if you will. Like Ganelon, these traitors will always claim "I did it for the Church and in accordance with Church teaching;" but the Church will never proclaim their corrupt position as her own.

      Dear me that got longer than I wished it too. And even as a longish answer, I'm sure my wording leaves much to be desired. So I would love to continue this via email, if you so desire. (Or here. There's something cool about public debate. But I don't want to clutter up your lovely blog, lol.)

      I'm glad you think there are people who do Christmas rightly, haha. I think Catholics are more than happy to share their holiday. :) And I do agree that there are a lot of abuses in the way it's celebrated today. I really ought to have mentioned that in the first place.

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    4. Ahhh that's such a relief that /my/ post wasn't hurtful toward you. And thanks for your kind words.

      I love your-longer-than-you-meant comment. And you answered my question VERY well. It's basically how I answer the question of "If God is real, why are many Christians jerks".

      Email is totally fine, but I love public debates too as long as they remain civil. But I trust you 100%, haha. So no worries. Throw at me whatever it is weighing on you;)

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  6. Thanks for posting this, Keturah.
    That's unfortunate, the reactions you received. It troubles me, reminds me of when I have had people try to push me outside of my principles.
    I'll be open and say I'm still skeptical over how Pagan Christmas might be, but I've still heard enough arguments that I can respect the convictions of those who decide against celebrating Christmas. I know someone who celebrates, but putting up a tree is against her conscience.

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    1. I think whem another is troubled by a confrontation of their beliefs, instead of delving into the intriciaties of their beliefs, they often feel safer trying to convince another to "join" their side. Because then they weren't erring.

      And yes, history even is so prejudiced, it's hard to know anything for sure. But it's still good to always research as best we can. Gray's article above is pretty decent. And I know people like that, too, wity the tree.

      Thank you for commenting, Blue! I love it when we can all respect each other in our differences.

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  7. I don't know why people would be so bothered by you choosing not to celebrate. Especially since your respectful of their decision to celebrate. People are strange.

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    1. To be fair, many people think I'm judging them. Because if I think it's wrong for myself, naturally wouldn't that mean I think they are sinning, too? And when you feel attacked you attack, and so it goes back and forth. It's this way with ANYTHING of beliefs and people.

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  8. Oh, I'm glad you posted this. I've always been curious why you don't celebrate Christmas! And, honestly that makes me sad, some of the reactions you've gotten. Like, I admit being told one of my favorite holidays, a holiday that's special to me and my family, and during which we celebrate THE COMING OF OUR SAVIOR, is pagan, can sting. But I can see, to an extent, where they're coming from. (Not that I'm convinced they're right or anything. :P But you have definitely inspired me to look up a bit more about all this.)
    And even when we can't really understand why someone believes something they do, shouldn't we still care about them? And respect them for sticking to their convictions?
    I don't know. It just makes me sad.
    The "Christmas isn't actually about Jesus, just greediness and consumerism" argument makes me a little defensive, because, sure, some people treat it that way, but MY family doesn't. We wouldn't DREAM of spending a thousand dollars on gifts, and we don't stress about gifts either, except insofar as one stresses because one does want to give something good to one's loved ones. And Christmas IS, for me, primarily about Christ. It wouldn't be the special holiday that it is if it wasn't. (But I know *you're* not saying everyone who celebrates Christmas is like that. It's just a sore spot. ;))
    I certainly agree that the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ are things we should remember all year long. But I think markers to remind us of such things are helpful to us, as humans. We're creatures used to the coming and going of seasons, and to be reminded every winter that Christ was born, or every spring that Christ died, brings it home - keeps us from forgetting for too long, or beginning to take things for granted. At least that's how I am. I very much like the notion of "a season for everything."
    ANYWAY. Sorry for dumping all these thoughts. This post just made me think a lot, haha. And I'm very glad to know your reasons behind not celebrating Christmas.

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    1. Thanks for dumping so your thoughts on me. I can definitely respect them. There are those who worship Jesus birth more, and don't put so much stalk in the presents (not that presents are inherently evil). And if people lile to have memorials for things, then again, not necessarily bad. I just appreciated when we can all respect one another's differences. I do think that's neat you're going to look into more of the why my family doesn't celebrate ;)

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  9. It's unfortunate that you lost friends over the issue! My family has always kept Christmas, but I had several friends over the years who chose not to. It was a little awkward, admittedly, especially for those who used to keep Christmas and then decided not to. But it was never something that we felt the need to argue over. It's a shame that some people can't seem to to just respect and exist with someone who has different views!


    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbosityreviews.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't imagine having kept Christmans and them no longer doing so. To take a step like that is HUGE and hard on everyone from every standing. I know people that have done it and it's definitely a struggle. And I've known even more that couldn't last it out. Not that I blame them. It's a huge lifestyle change that doesn't suit all.

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