I would like some advice on how to stop celebrating Christmas...?

Question

This has been on my mind for a few years now, yet having a young family I have found it difficult to make the changes.
As a Christian people might find it hard to imagine not to celbrate Chistmas but I am finding through more study that by celebrating on the 25th Dec we are celebrating a pagan date and a pagan image in Santa Claus. We can all find good meaning in remembering Christs birth, His story and reason for being here but we can do that at His memorial of His death at the Passover time ( I`m not celebrating Easter either).

I have grown into to the realization that there is no scriptural reason to celebrate Christs birth, never mind a pagan date and stresses of materialism Christmas has grown to become in todays society.
I want to make it a family time without the decorations (no santa anyway) My children are 12 and 10, and would welcome any alternatives of how to make it a special time without the hype?

Many Thanks

Answer 1

The last Christmas I celebrated in any way I was younger than 10. After that none. Was it hard to give up? Actually no. I was kind of proud about knowing what it was all about. Kids are pretty resilient. They naturally want to do the right thing.



First you may want to thoroughly explain to your children what is involved and why changes are going to be made.



Explain to them that you are not going to stop giving gifts but just not for Christmas. My parents always made sure we had new gloves to take back after the school vacation. Am I encouraging that? Not necessarily. But what that did for us is we got what we needed when we needed it, and it let us know that even if we did not have Christmas, they were still giving gifts all year long.



On that day, in the evening, we fixed a big pot of chili, played endless monopoly, worked puzzles, and did large paint-by-number paintings. I have three of my paintings to this day. Over 50 years later.



We lived in an area that had plenty of snow. So my dad would take us outside and the neighborhood kids came over after their "Christmas" and we built igloos tall enough for adults to stand up in. It was our tradition to do this so we had a playhouse over the school break. We made it so tall and large that it wouldn't melt till late spring. The grass would be growing and our igloo was still sitting there. The neighborhood kids couldn't wait to help us roll enormous snowballs to get started.



I haven't celebrated for over 50 years, from childhood to Social Security, and I do not miss it.

Answer 2

I have not celebrated christmas for about 30 years now. I didn't like the commercialism involved with christmas. I have no kids which makes it easier.



My friends have children and they are told I do not celebrate christmas but if they ask for anything educational I will get it for them, as a new year present or any other time of the year.



I am afraid if you want to do anything christmas then you will have to put up with all the bullshit and hype that goes with it.



1 statistic that you could keep in you're mind every christmas. More people commit suicide in the festive season than any other time in the year, why?

Answer 3

It is difficult I know. Your children go to school with other kids who do celebrate it and they all talk about what they are doing and what gifts they got. I am Orthodox and we celebrate Christmas the way it was meant to be celebrated. There is a reason to celebrate Christ's birth. Without the birth of Christ there is no Christianity. It doesnt matter which day it is really. And Easter is the resurrection. We celebrate Pascha which is the Orthodox Easter and not celebrated on the western Easter date. I dont think you can call yourself a christian if you dont celebrate those. In our family we dont do 50 gifts to all the kids. We buy each child one thing and as a family we buy something for our home. Last year we bought a WII and the year before a new tv.

Answer 4

Jews and Muslims don't celebrate it do they?



What's the big deal?



Just don't celebrate it.



If you have something better, stick with that and let others go mad if they insist, that's their problem.



Keep a low profile, yes be kind to others about it but where you have a choice just ignore it.



It's a horrible time of year with the most family disputes, suicides, drunkenness, gross parties and immorality, money making etc., etc, who in their right minds wants to support all that?



Making an alternative 'celebration' is a kind of cop out isn't it?



Use the time for something else entirely. Lots of people do.

Answer 5

Hello Fiona



What you could do is invite those that you are associating with to come to your home for a meal and to bring children along to, so that your children do not feel the emptiness of it all!



Giving gifts all year round is a wonderful way because then it comes from our heart; not because we have to.



Perhaps you could get your children to choose a special date and then make a special day out of it!



My husband and I do not have children, but we have chosen a number on the calender and each month, do something special for it. It could simply be, putting out our best plates and cutlery for that day!



I applaud you for your stand, for it is not easy, especially with children who have experienced christmas.



I do hope that helps a little?



I would just like to tell you of a story that a sister related to me. When she was very young, her parent stopped celebrating, but throughout the year, gave presents. One such occasion, she was given a new bike and some friends asked her why she had one if it was not her birthday or christmas? She replied that it was because her parents wanted to give it to her out of their love. The others said that they wished their parents would do the same thing!



Having read some of the answers, I suppose your best bet is to actually get rid of every related to that time and on the day, just be loving and act normal.



As one sister said also, why don't you ask your children what they would like to do? Involve them in the decision making. They will appreciate that.

Answer 6

I sympathise with you and understand some of what you are facing, as I felt the same as you for a long time, although I have no yound family to worry about. Most people just do all the normal "christmass stuff without thinking about it, and get involved in all the excess that goes with it. Obviously it is not wrong to celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus as a human baby, although He never told us to celebrate his birthday, or the bible would tell us, at least, when He was born.

Why not just tell people how you feel, and give family presents at some other time, perhaps at the end of a holiday. It will be difficult for your kids at school perhaps to explain why Santa does not come to them, without bursting the myth for their friends, but maybe you will find a way. Can you remember how you felt yourself when you discovered that santa claus was not real? Some kids, when they find this out, they wonder whether Jesus is made up too.

Answer 7

True Christians do not celebrate Christmas at all. We are interested in pleasing God, Jehovah and his son Jesus and not ourselves. There's nothing important about the date of 25th of December,except that it is not the date that Jesus was born. We can do different things thoughout the year like bake a cake and make some punch and cookies or make a cookout and invite some relatives or friends over,go to the movies and watch a family movie, take the kids to the park,just be creative in doing something.

Answer 8

Do your children the honour of telling them the truth and let them have an input on an alternative course.



THE Bible is not the source of popular religious and secular holidays that are celebrated in many parts of the world today. What, then, is the origin of such celebrations? If you have access to a library, you will find it interesting to note what reference books say about holidays that are popular where you live. Consider a few examples.



Easter. “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament,” states The Encyclopædia Britannica. How did Easter get started? It is rooted in pagan worship. While this holiday is supposed to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection, the customs associated with the Easter season are not Christian. For instance, concerning the popular “Easter bunny,” The Catholic Encyclopedia says: “The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility.”



New Year’s Celebrations. The date and customs associated with New Year’s celebrations vary from one country to another. Regarding the origin of this celebration, The World Book Encyclopedia states: “The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces—one looking forward and the other looking backward.” So New Year’s celebrations are founded on pagan traditions.



Halloween. The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid [ancient Celtic priesthood] ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods—a sun god and a god of the dead . . . , whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The festival of the dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual.”



Other Holidays. It is not possible to discuss all the observances held throughout the world. However, holidays that exalt humans or human organizations are not acceptable to Jehovah. (Jeremiah 17:5-7; Acts 10:25, 26) Keep in mind, too, that the origin of religious celebrations has a bearing on whether they please God or not. (Isaiah 52:11; Revelation 18:4) The Bible principles mentioned in Chapter 16 of this book will help you to determine how God views participation in holidays of a secular nature.



x x x

Answer 9

I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses (though currently disfellowshipped and working toward reinstatement) and JW's don't celebrate those holidays for the very reasons you mentioned.



In my family, we tend to have a "gift day". Usually, it's in the summer and I either give them $100. to spend on whatever they want (and are allowed lol) or I get them each a big gift that they've been wanting (last year, my oldest son got a PSP, my younger son some other portabe gaming system, my oldest daughter an iPod, my youngest daughter an iPod Touch.

What's harder is getting them to give gifts to each other lol.

Also, at the end of the school year, they each get a gift if they did well. The one who did best usually gets a more expensive gift to reflect the effort applied to getting good marks. But I also take into consideration those who improved the most throughout the year.

(my crew is 16,14,12,11)

Answer 10

By all means make christmas less materialistic and introduce more christian activities for them, but stripping modern day christmas from them completely will do far more harm than good. Lets forget about religion and celebrations for a moment, as a parent it would be wrong, you'd just be ignoring what they want and only taking into account what you want. You cant take everything they've grown up with and associated with christmas away from them, not at the age of 10 and 12, it would have been different if they were babies, but they're old enough to make up their own minds whether they choose to agree with you now

Answer 11

I know how you feel. Christmas and Easter were pagan festivals that 'inherited' a Christian identity when the Roman Emperor made Christianity the national religion. The people objected because of their fondness for their pagan rituals, so he, and the Catholic Church ever since, placed Christian symbolism on those days. Other pagan rituals like bunnies (symbolizing fertility - Ishtar, thus Easter, the goddes of fertility) remain until this day.



Jesus was not born on this day, nor was resurrected on the spring solstace. However, passover and the Jewish calendar gives you the approximate time of His death and resurrection.



I think your children are old enough for you to explain the history of these dates. You can google the complete history and tell them the truth behind the symbolism. You can decide to gather together because of vacation from school, and help them understand that you are personally setting aside this time (without the commercialism and inaccuracy of the time of Christ's birth) to concentrate on the wonderful gift God gave us in His Son.



Gradually we have eliminated any references to the pagan Christmas in our home. People all around us celebrate with trees and lights, etc. We sometimes have company, but it's like any other time when we gather with people. If your children understand the truth, then they will not mind. You can give them presents if you want to but make it as your special family time and let them know it's not about Santa or the pagan holiday...it's just a time of year you have chosen to show appreciation for one another. God knows the heart and He is the ultimate judge of our intentions.



You might also look into the tradition of Sunday worship. I'm not a 7th day Adventist and do not accept their other tenants of faith, expecially concerning the Last Days. I consider myself mainstream Christianity, but I prefer to worship and set aside Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown as my special time with the Lord. It's what Jesus did, so it's good enough for me. I know the Lord will bless you for trying to draw closer to Him.

Answer 12

Well? We aren't saved by legalism.



Jesus loves it when I celebrate His birth. He even answered my question about when Christmas really is. Also about the Bethlehem Star.



And also I was blessed during an electrical black out at Christmas in 2006 when a candle wax droppings forrned an image of mother Mary holding baby Jesus. But oddly one wise man (magi) with a gift behind her. (The 3 Magi arrived after the birth of Jesus.)

In 2007 Christmas came a DVD, Star of Bethlehem & in that came the signs of the stars where there were constellations in the stars at the time of Jesus conception (Revelation12). Jesus was conceived ?Sept & born in June? (I'm not sure about the dates, but they are in the DVD). The 3 Magi appeared later when Jesus lived in a house. And they brought gifts on December25th. That was actually the first Christmas. It wasn't called Christmas. But they did celebrate the birth of the King of Israel at that time. Even though it wasn't exactly Jesus birthday.



The devil has his copy cat versions of Gods Holy Days And Gods Names. Don't let the devil scare you away. You are guilty of being superstitious. Santa Claus comes from Saint Nicholas, who really was a Christian & also imprisoned for his faith... And he also gave gifts to poor children.



I think remembering Jesus Christ at all the Holy Days & also Israel's Sabbaths & Feast Days is good. But that takes getting a Jewish Calendar. And indepth scripture study.



I don't let the world ruin my Christmas. Our Church does a wonderful play. And we have great & loving get together family time.

Answer 13

You could always rationalise the celebration as being the Winter Solstice (21st December) - the shortest day of the year and the point from which the days will start lengthening and the weather (gradually) getting warmer. This mattered to people in ancient times, as their agricultural cycle depended on it (and probably their morale too!).



So, without worrying about pagan gods or any other neo-pagan elements, just celebrate the fact that the year has turned. Slaughter your fatted cattle (or just make an extra trip to the supermarket), feast with your kin, exchange gifts, and generally try to be nice to each other.



And if you're concerned that Christian friends and neighbours will object to this, have a large wicker man and a big pile of firewood on standby in your back garden...

Answer 14

If you don't want to put Christmas decorations up, why not decorate your home with seasonal decorations? **You can use holly, pine cones, red berries in a basket with the pinecones, etc....get red, white, gold candles, pine branches, snowmen, paper snowflakes, mistletoe, (be careful it's poisonous, so wash your hands after wards or better yet, wear gloves) hang it in obvious places. The kiss tradition is lovely, don't you think? You could hug your kids if they happen to pass under the mistletoe.



**Put air freshener scents around. Cinnamon and apple is a nice homey scent. **Set your table with your best china and cloth napkins. **Put a fab centerpiece in the middle. Make your house festive. For it is a festive time regardless. **Cook a wonderful dinner. Make the orange spice tea drink that is so popular and invite the Grandparents. :) **Then later, relax with your family and watch a movie or read out loud a great book that everyone would enjoy. **If it snows, go outside and have a snowball fight, make snow angels or build a snowman. I wish it would snow in Texas! ;~D



Bake a cake and sing happy birthday to Jesus. We do that. There is also an inside joke within my family. We think Jesus likes chocolate cake. :)



Do something sweet for hubby, you and with your kids~



Celebrate just being alive...



Shalom,



love you

{{{hugs from randi}}} <><

Answer 15

what i do is to celebrate christmas but limit the pagan symbols like santa etc but put a greater emphasis on the nativity story



i think to avoid christmas altogether especially when you do have children in the house (i have a 10yo) is a way to alienate them for their schoolmates. i encourage the exchange of christmas cards - but again i make sure they are nativity ones with a christian message - easy to do if you make them yourself. i find that people are more open to discussions about jesus at this time too and i think that to stop christmas will mean that this will dry up too.



i still have a large christmas tree too - it brightens the place up plus it is a reminder of God creation and his mercies that he didn't allow everything green to disappear however cold the winter is.



turkey isn't scriptural but more tradition and practical - one big bird will feed many people for many days meaning that you aren't slaving over a hot stove every day for weeks



as to the actual day - didnt paul himself say that some will consider certain days special whereas others will consider every day to be the same? the point being is not to fall out over it. i consider it this way - a couple of years ago i invited a group of people to my annual birthday bash and one chap unfortunately mixed something up and ended up presenting a birthday card to my HUSBAND instead (only 3 months early! lol) - i wasnt offended because he got the wrong date - i felt honoured that he wanted to show some respect that way and i am sure that jesus would feel pretty much the same way.

Answer 16

Those who follow truth will suffer persecution, but I'd rather give pleasure to my Savior, than make my fellow man happy.





God's word told us how to "remember" Him; 1 Corinthians 11:24, Jesus words, "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME".



How can we teach our children that Santa has the powers which belongs to God alone, and be in obedience? We are to have no gods before Him, and yet, we teach our little ones a false god which they idolize.



Grace is our only hope.

Answer 17

A pope decided these things to make the religion more appealing. Sunday is the holy day of the sun God, not the day of rest (Saturday) in the bible. Jesus was not born in December but Dec. 25 is the day the sungod was born. They have celebrated this day for thousands of years before Jesus was born.



But kids love Christmas and Satan, I mean Santa. Are you against kids having fun????

Answer 18

The bible tells us to celebrate each day "as unto the Lord." Knowing that the date of Christmas has pagan origins and the celebrations are now mostly secular, my wife and I have decided to still celebrate, but to do so differently. Santa will not be welcome in our house and our son will know that he is just make-believe. Here are a few ideas we have tossed around:



* I will be making a wooden advent calendar. During each day of December, we will open a door which will hold a small piece of scripture about the life of Jesus. This will be read as a family.



* In lieu of store bought gifts, gifts will be hand made so they each have purpose and personal sacrifice.



* Each weekend in December we do some kind of community service as a family.



* Christmas is spent with family in worship of God in appreciation for what Jesus has done for us.



We anticipate that we will find difficulties, especially with some family, but we will do everything we can to celebrate the birth of Christ in December and not just the giving of gifts.

Answer 19

Go to work on X-Mas day. Actually insist on going if you have to. That's what I do.

When speaking actually refer to it as Xmas.

Tell your family and friends you don't wish to take part in the presents exchange.



Here's an article that gets to that if you can stomach the title and beginning paragraphs. The second page has ideas about this exact question.

Answer 20

I just keep my eyes on Jesus and His birth, and the celebration that would have been wonderful with Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and family -- and keep in mind the story of the angels heralding in Christ's birth to the shepherds and animals.....also the star appearing later and the wise men following it -- all sounds beautiful to me and i love Christmas time - doesn't matter to me if the date is a little out : )



OOPS! wasn't any help was I ?!



blessings x







FIREBALL - that's an excellent point...without Christmas there's no Resurrection!

Answer 21

Do what some of us Atheists do. Celebrate the secular Christmas holiday, and leave Jesus out of the occasion. We can still celebrate the ideas behind Christmas, which boil down to people just being nice to one another and celebrate peace. Jesus no longer has to be the reason for the season. Put up trees and decorations, but pack away the manager scene and the angels. Eat, Drink and Be merry.



OI, Saturnalia!

Answer 22

Just STOP with all the gifts. Simple

As you say, make it a time to be with family more.

Answer 23

Why not celebrate it anyway - but make it clear what the focus of your celebration is. Leave Santa out of the picture as well as all the excessive consumerism and just focus on the birth of Jesus and what that resulted in. I find that the advent season does help maintain that focus.

Answer 24

Just stop.



But stop COMPLETELY. Since you know it's pagan, you are now responsible to have nothing to do with it. It's hard (believe me, I know!) but it's what you need to do.



You can have a special family time some OTHER time of year, like Thanksgiving, for example.





Don't expect many Christians to understand.

Answer 25

If you're going to use the Bible as your lifestyle guide, I think there are a few more important things that you have to worry about than Christmas. Why not join the Westboro Baptist Church? They seem to know exactly what the Bible means. I feel so sorry for your children.

Answer 26

Well why don't you celebrate Christs birth on that day anyway, just change how your family see Christmas. Instead of Santa, talk about the holy spirit. Make decorations that have spiritual meaning to you like a cross made of holly. Sing songs like away in a manger and silent night.

Answer 27

Your children would probably be more concerned about Christmas presents, especially at that age and watching what their friends are doing... it's okay to celebrate Xmas as a secular seasonal holiday, and institute family traditions that spiritually match your religious beliefs more closely.

Answer 28

I guess I'm just dense. Are you studying to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

Answer 29

let`s face it christmas is all about children, so if yours are happy to not bother with celebrations then fine

Answer 30

Going cold turkey is the only way to kick the habit.

Answer 31

I just ignore it. Mind you, I'm a miserable old git.

Answer 32

thank yoy

Answer 33

Wow. You suck. Finally realized Christimas is a pagan traidion ? Well I still celebrate it.

Answer 34

but its still beautiful even though not commanded....Heres what I do....I dont buy expensive gifts....i buy everybody chocolates....and we all have a nice dinner.....why dont you try that? TO ME THE SERVICE AT CHURCH IS BEAUTIFUL with candles....without Christmas theres no Good friday or Easter.....beautiful things are worth doing!!

Answer 35

go camping!