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Christmas is for Everyone

I’ve always thought it interesting that Christmas is a holiday with its origins in Christian religious tradition, yet non-Christians celebrate it too. I can’t think of any other religious observation that transcends the camp that gave rise to it, though I’m sure that’s just my ignorance. Nevertheless, Christmas does seem to be for everyone.

The message of peace on earth and good will toward man has universal appeal. Nobody could lay claim to the idea exclusively, yet it is part of the branding of Christmas, and that branding has generally steered clear of the religious side of the holiday, focusing on gift-giving and familial cheer ahead of the birth of a messiah two thousand years ago. When you think of it, a lot of Christmas songs and stories since the middle of the 20th century (like White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and many others) are quite agnostic, focusing on the spirit of generosity and goodwill rather than reminding you whose birthday it is.

There are those, of course, who insist on telling that story and reminding everyone to keep Christ in Christmas, but to them I have only one thing to say: all holidays matter. I mean, what are they trying to say? That Christmas is for Christians only? I think it’s safe to say that Jesus would be happier with everyone being kind to each other regardless of background rather than worrying about remembering it’s his birthday. That just seems petty and silly, and so it’s hard for me to take seriously the religious folks who push the ancient myth instead of just having a good time.

I like Christmas. I think it’s a very positive, pleasant time of year when people have it in mind to be a little bit nicer, more generous and friendlier than they are the rest of the time. Like the song says, “Have a holly jolly Christmas/And when you walk down the street/Say hello to folks you know/And everyone you meet”. I’m sentimental about community and Christmastime carries with it a sentiment of warmth and positivity, of kinship. We’re all in this together, so why not be friendly?


Funny enough, my favourite Christmas song, Happy Xmas (War is Over), was written by an atheist, but it does sum up what I’m trying to say: “A very merry Christmas/And a happy new year/Let’s hope it’s a good one/Without any fear (War is Over/If you want it/War is over now).” There is no limit to what human beings can achieve when we recognize each other’s talents and support each other. To me, that is the true meaning of Christmas and I try my best to carry it with me all year round. 

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