Anyone practicing Christmas??

[IATIA]

... refrain from celebrating Christmas, but also every other pagan ritual...

They got beer and whiskey and I will hang and watch them sacrifice a lamb.

Is that celebrating?

After all, it is a social event. I just avoid the religious aspect of it all.

[Phaedra]

Having been a worship leader in my previous church for 4 years, I have grown fond of many of the Christmas songs I used to play and despite the fact that I don't believe in the songs' message, I still think many of the them are quite beautiful. I am not sure how to approach this Christmas season since it will be my first atheist Christmas.

Do any of you atheists/agnostics have any similar feelings towards Christmas? Do you guys completely ignore the holiday all together? If you celebrate it, what sort of things do you cut out? I am just interested to hear your thoughts on Christmas

I love Christmas too. And honestly, the Jesus/church part of it doesn't bother me. It's a lovely story, and you're right- a lot of the music is beautiful. I still go to Christmas Eve mass with my family because the ceremony is beautiful and I can just sit back and enjoy the music, decor, candles, and incense without the bullshit. If you enjoyed it as a theist, why cut it out? You don't have to believe in all the craziness to appreciate the beauty of some of it.

[KichigaiNeko]

We just have Solstice...and like any good heathen will take about 28 days to do it properly. December for us is a month of not doing very much (because of the heat) and the 25th is just another day off. The dead days up till New Year are the worst as everything is closed or running on limited hours, so it is a good time for family. Funnily enough we don't get to see ours ..Australia is a fucking big place... as most live on the East Coast.

Anyway these past few years we have been "celebrating" Hogswatch...and since we can't decide as to the actual "celebration day" bit it goes on for about a week.

Either way I like the smell of Oranges and Cloves and Pine and Spices so my decorations are rather low key and organic (Poinsettias and fruit hold the tinsel) Yeah we have a tree but mostly for the grand-kiddies that come and visit. We have a family Fruit Cake (courtesy of a Nanapu) this year and are really looking forward to the end of the year and a few days off.

Being an Atheistic household there is a distinct lack of anything religious and of course carolling is OUT of the question (mainly because we can't sing a note). I can't understand why European migrants to this country want to keep their traditional winter food practices here as it is just too hot to eat such heavy meals, so yep we have Seafood and Salads and Beer and White wine and Stone Fruits and of course Sun Sand and Sea.

[Minimalist]

I always fall asleep during Life of Brian. I've only been able to stay awake through the stoning scene. "Jehovah! Jehovah!"

WHAT? You've never seen the end?

You're in luck, lad.

[Justtristo]

Since I don't hold any religious beliefs, I have decided stop celebrating Christmas starting this year.

[Diamond]

I always fall asleep during Life of Brian. I've only been able to stay awake through the stoning scene. "Jehovah! Jehovah!"

WHAT? You've never seen the end?

You're in luck, lad.

Actually, I always wake up right before that scene!

[ElDinero]

Well for me and my atheist family, we celebrate Christmas in a secular way. No church, no religious songs, no prayer. Just a good family gathering, parties, food and drink as well as good music. It's an event we celebrate happily without any religious reasons.
We do what most people do during Christmas, except we cut out the whole religious shit.

You can still celebrate the event as an atheist, it doesn't have to involve religion. It can be a completely secular thing.
For us (my family) it's a time for everyone to come together and have fun. Pressies and all.

Can't improve on that. Exactly the same as mine. Think that's fairly common here in the UK.

To the OP, I wouldn't feel awkward about celebrating it. Just adjust what you celebrate.

[frankiej]

Christmas is a hasle. I don't like my family. They don't deserve presents or my presence

If I could spend it with my friends then I would, but they are all with their families.
Also, Christmas decorations are very tacky and horrible to look at.

I do enjoy the alcohol though.

[The Magic Pudding]

RE: Anyone practicing Christmas??

Na, I've done it heaps of times before, no practice required.
Just remember not to eat too much of the main course, you need room for deserts.

[The Grand Nudger]

We cover the house with pagan religious paraphernalia, give and expect awesome presents, eat massive amounts of holiday foods, and get wicked drunk. So, pretty much the same as anyone else's christmas, yes?
(my in laws will drop in to totally shit on the festive mood at some point, of course)