Why Do People Celebrate Christmas?

[Truthabounds]

Years ago it was because most people believed it was the birth of Jesus.
Nowadays a lot of people have become athiests and say they don't believe but still celebrate christmas. So many cultures don't accept christianity, yet still celebrate. So why have christmas?

[jake-the-peg]

I need a new keyboard :c(

[tonyav]

Never mind jake, maybe Santa will bring you one.

[emmie]

very good point, i have no idea,

[naomi24]

Truthabounds, perhaps you should tell us why you don't celebrate Christmas. Go on ... you know you want to. ;o)

[LazyGun]

Why have christmas? Well, we all need a good break now and again. Life would be dull indeed without such fixed points in the calendar.

[yogasun]

^^^
what a very odd response

[jomifl]

It gives pagans an opportunity to reclaim a festival that was appropriated and misused by the catholic church.

[Baldric]

As a fully paid-up member of the Joy Waived club maybe you should now tell us why you don't celebrate.

[wildwood]

Come on truthabounds, don't be such a grinch.

I hope you are not one of those mean killjoys who feel it is their duty to tell all young children that there is no real Santa.

[ludwig]

Here's an idea, If you keep a Christmas wreath permanently fixed to the front door, maybe it will keep the JWs from knocking. Like garlic with vampires. Just a thought.

[ll_billym]

Because it's nice.

[Baldric]

Ludwig, I think that's a theory well worth testing.
We must have a nest full of them 'round here somewhere,
You are never alone with a JW :o(

[Truthabounds]

Well, there is certainly a variety of answers.

No, I am not going to tell you why I don't celebrate
Christmas because most of you know why anyway.

However, for those who feel it is a time for families.
Why wait for Christmas? Surely it is something you
could do anytime without having to have a special
day.

I certainly get together with my family on a regular
basis, we have meals together and depending on who
is there and how long ago since we saw each other,there
can be gifts, laughter, memories, etc etc.

For those who look forward to a break from work, well
surely you have your holidays anyway. I know when I
worked in one particular job I had 4 weeks holidays which
could be spread out over time.

I am not criticising those of you who choose to celebrate
for whatever reason, I chose not to celebrate it, after
all we have free will.

I just feel sorry for all those who feel they must keep up with
the "joneses" and end up paying for their celebration all year
round, only to start again for the next one.

[factor-fiction]

^That's told us.

[naomi24]

Truthabounds, //I certainly get together with my family on a regular
basis, we have meals together and depending on who
is there and how long ago since we saw each other,there
can be gifts, laughter, memories, etc etc.//

I do that too – and again at Christmas.

//I just feel sorry for all those who feel they must keep up with
the "joneses" and end up paying for their celebration all year
round, only to start again for the next one.//

I agree. Some people do feel that they’re under pressure to buy what they can’t afford – but pressure comes from many areas of life and conceding to it or not is a matter of personal choice, not to mention common sense.

[ummmm]

My OH has no choice but to have time off at xmas. The firm he works for closes for 3 weeks. His dad works for the same firm. So we may as well take the opportunity to visit people while we have the spare time. That's not celebrating, it's making use of the extra time.

[EDDIE51]

We celebrate what has become the biggest commercial marketing ploy of the year. Christmas is simply the largest marketing opportunity of the year by a huge margin . We have adverts non stop from October onwards telling us what we must buy for Christmas. I mean what sort of idiot would go out and by new furniture for 'Christmas' unless the adverts told them to.
As a child Christmas was much less commercial , no one put up lights or decorations until Christmas eve. Us kids put a stocking on the end of the bed Christmas Eve and in the morning it had some fruit , sweets and one small gift. Christmas dinner was roast chicken or possibly turkey , not very many people could afford turkey , even chicken was something of a luxury.
The only alcohol in the house would be a bottle of wine for Christmas dinner and a bottle of sherry. The modern 'Christmas ' is commercial pure and simple. I realised Christmas was just a sales opportunity when I was about 10 years old, I noticed that all the Christmas TV adverts stopped on Christmas eve to be replaced by ads for January sales and summer holidays.
Christmas STARTS on the 25th December and ends on 12th night, TV would have us belive it starts in October ( or even September) and ends on 24th December.

[jomifl]

When I was 10 Eddie. almost nobody had televisions let alone adverts :-)

[Truthabounds]

The custom:
Christmas giving is unusual in that it largely involves an exchange of gifts, and the Christmas season is marked by partying, feasting, and drinking.

Its roots:
Ancient Roman Saturnalian festivities began on December 17 and concluded on the 24th, when gifts were exchanged. Homes and streets were noisy with banqueting, heavy drinking, and riotous behavior. The Saturnalia was followed by an event celebrating the first day of January. This was also observed by a festival, usually lasting about three days. The Saturnalia and the first day of January likely formed one festive occasion.

Describing the true spirit of generosity, the Bible states: “Each person should give as he has decided for himself; there should be no reluctance, no sense of compulsion; God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7. Those who heed these excellent Bible principles give because their generous heart impels them to do so, which can be at any time of the year.

Family Gatherings:
Family gatherings can do much to unite family members, especially if they no longer live in the same house. Jesus and his disciples attended a wedding feast in Cana, doubtless a large gathering of family and friends. (John 2:1-10) And in Jesus’ illustration of the prodigal son, the father celebrated his son’s return with a family banquet, which included music and dancing.—Luke 15:21-25.

Enjoying a Good Meal:
The Bible frequently speaks of God’s servants as enjoying good food with family, friends, or fellow worshipers. When three angels visited Abraham, he prepared a feast for them that included beef, milk, butter, and round cakes. Solomon described ‘eating, drinking, and rejoicing’ as a gift from God.
Ecclesiastis h 3 v 13 says " and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God."

Clearly, God wants us to enjoy good food in the company of friends and family, and he approves of the giving of gifts.