It’s Christmastime–whether or not you’re a Christian, it’s clearly the Christmas season in America. I’m curious if there are other non-Christians out there who celebrate Christmas, and how you celebrate, and how you feel about it. I grew up as a non-practicing Christian, and although my entire family now identifies as Ethical Humanists (who says we can’t make converts?), we still love Christmas. And let’s face it, as many Christians bemoan, the vast majority of what we think of as “Christmas-y” is pagan and/or commercial. Lighted trees, wreaths, yule logs, the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe, special meals and gift-giving, Santa and Scrooge and Jack Frost–they’re all adapted winter solstice traditions or more recently created to support Christmas, not Christianity.
So what’s a humanist to do? Some humanists celebrate the Winter Solstice or HumanLight, embracing greenery and lights and general festivity, but shying away from nativity scenes and Santa and Rudolph, etc. But Santa and the gang are also either pagan or secular. Non-Christians happily celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and (St.) Valentine’s Day, and no one worries that our days of the week and months are named for Roman gods. So why not celebrate the secular American Christmas that adds so much warmth, brightness, and fun to wintertime? Some other religions and groups have traditional celebrations that coincide with the winter solstice, but for those of us who don’t, is there any harm to celebrating Christmas? Are we accidentally advertising for Christianity if we do? (I don’t have a nativity scene in my house but I do love all the traditional songs; they’re beautiful poetry and music.) Or, conversely, are we accidentally undermining Christianity by continuing the process by which winter solstice traditions have overshadowed the Christian messages of the holiday?
Kate Lovelady, 38, of Dogtown is the Leader of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, which was founded in 1886 and is currently the largest Ethical Society in the nation. Kate's life partner, Billy Dechand, is a local musician. Kate's hobbies include vegan baking and riding her 49cc scooter. 
You have brought up some great points. I think the bottom line is that Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. So why would you celebrate Christmas if you don’t believe in Jesus? What’s the point? You don’t know me and I don’t know you. It would be foolish for us to celebrate each others birthdays without having a relationship.
If your choice is to celebrate the winter solstice or humanlight, then go for it. Why not celebrate them? But call them for what they are instead of masking them in the name of Christmas. There are many pagan traditions that have been combined with the Christmas season that honestly, I think Jesus would rather not have included on a day set aside to remember his birthday.
Would he be thrilled that people are trampling over each other at the stores to get a good bargain? Would he be over joyed that people are going into debt to the point of losing their homes, just to put lots of toys under a tree, all for the sake of celebrating his birth? I don’t think so.
I personally believe that to really celebrate Christmas is to spend time with friends and family and reach out to those that are hungry, poor, homeless, and in need. It is to take the time to stop and be thankful for the gift of life that God gave us through the birth of His Son Jesus. Is that humanism or christianity or a combination of both?
If you are celebrating the Winter Solstice and not Christmas, be brave and say so. It would be refreshing to see some honesty in our culture instead of people pretending to care about the birth of Jesus when all they really want is to have some pleasure during the winter months.
So what’s a humanist suppose to do? Just be who you are. I don’t celebrate Mardi Gras when its time comes. Why should you feel compelled to celebrate Christmas when it comes around? Unless there is a deeper question that you have yet to find the answer to.
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I’m not a church-goer. I’m a former catholic and I enjoy much of the festiveness. I think it’s cute that adults, men and women decorate and do things in their own ways. It’s sweet when families create new traditions or follow old ones for the family unit.
What I’m saying is I appreciate it all. Even if I don’t necessarily agree with things. I also believe that a time of giving is a valuable thing. I just wish that everyone understood that all through the shopping season and relaxed more. I also hope for those who have a tougher time during this part of the year. Many people need more caring and many take their own lives this part of the year. So reach out where you can. That’s the spirit you want in your hearts.
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I think the Holiday season can be enjoyed by all no matter which form it takes for your beliefs.
As you say, most of the traditions are not really religious based except for Nativity scenes, Menorahs, and any other religion specific item.
Santa as we see him now was created by Coca-Cola and Rudolph is from a song.
The Grinch is Dr. Seuss.
Let’s all just enjoy the spirit of good will the season brings and be happy.
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Wishing you good will!
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