A Celebration of Christmas Contradictions

Is it wrong or hypocritical for a professed pagan/non-theist to actually have fun with Christmas? My over-analytical self began to ask that very question yesterday, and it went something like this:

"You don't believe in Jesus anymore as the traditional God incarnate, so aren't you being hypocritical by celebrating his birth? Aren't you succumbing to the secularism that some say has infiltrated Christmas? If you were a good pagan, you'd be talking about Yule, Saturnalia or some other celebration! And if you really don't believe in any god at all, then why would you encourage the continued worship of anything?"

Guess I'm just a mess of contradictions, but I actually think it all makes sense. I'm a child of my time and culture, a middle-class WASP who grew up in the heavily religious American South in the mid- to late-20th century. So a big part of my life was Santa, Christmas trees and carols, angels announcing baby Jesus' birth in a manger and all that. Seeing as I still live here, it's hard to escape.

And I don't know that I want to escape completely. Regardless of whether I'm a Christian or not, regardless of whether I believe in any god or goddess or religion, there is a two-fold appeal for this holiday. One is all the wonderful memories in generates for me. I was fortunate to have a good childhood, and Christmas was part of that. I was never forced into Christianity but willingly embraced it, so the holiday is always a great indulgence in nostalgia.

Second, Christmas is fun! Holiday cookies and dinners, parties, presents, singing and decorations--what's not to love? And I don't think you have to be a Christian to appreciate that. There is joy simply in coming together with other people, in celebrating and even in spending lavishly simply for the opportunity to give. At this time of year, there is more of an emphasis on what we have in common and in helping those less fortunate.

So I don't have any gripe against the manger scene in the town square or the obligatory office holiday parties. I don't even care if my pagan beliefs or affinities are recognized. This is Christmas! And today, Christmas is really more of a secular holiday anyhow. Sure, it can be as religious as you want, and we can all argue all day about the pagan roots of Christmas and its traditions and which came first. But all that doesn't really matter. It is what it is. But you can celebrate Christmas without ever stepping inside a church or setting up a manger scene or singing "Oh Holy Night." Shopping, decorations, parties and such isn't specifically Christian, and yet even the overtly religious symbols have been absorbed into the mainstream culture. Devout Christians may have a point that this isn't very authentic or sincere, but there you have it. It's part of who we are as Americans.

Which, when you think about it, is a non-theistic approach. Maybe even a little pagan. And what's more pagan than the ability to simply enjoy a good party!? So, Merry Christmas, ya'll!