Christmas to Non-Believers

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Christmas is a civil holiday here in the United States, understandably so for a country where nearly 228 million Christians (73% of the population) call home.  

What about a country like Vietnam, where the number of registered Christians (7 million) comprises just 8% of the population?

It's still a celebrated holiday, especially in urban areas, albeit not so much in a religious fashion. But then again, it's fair to say that in this day and age, Christmas is no longer strictly a religious holiday.

I, for one, don't need God as a reason to celebrate tomorrow, or any of the previous and upcoming Dec. 25. for that matter  As contradictory as it is for an introvert, I really love the holiday spirit. That's not to say I enjoy dwelling in crowded places and be part of the celebration; I just feel a sense of happiness inside whenever a holiday comes around.

Of course, some certain Christians might ridicule and view me as well as other non-believers (I purposely refrain from using the word "atheist") who celebrate Christmas as shameless. Exhibit A:

I don't understand how your atheist but still celebrate Christmas. CHRISTmas #getout
— Tyler Parrish (@TylerParrish9) December 24, 2012

And B:

If you're an atheist, you shouldn't celebrate Christmas #SimpleAsThat
— Garret Walker ✅ (@G_WalkItOut) December 24, 2012

And C:

i hate when kids who say they are atheist celebrate christmas... no. just no
— Caroline Lewis (@CatLadyCaroline) December 24, 2012

I respectfully disagree.

Yes, I don't celebrate the birth of Jesus; but I do appreciate the messages that Christmas carries. Peace to humanity, "love thy neighbor,"... I greatly admire these messages. It doesn't take a belief in God for me to do so. I am a big fan of familial gatherings, and Christmas is the perfect time to bring everyone in the family together. It doesn't take a belief in God for me to do so. As I said before, I love the general sense of happiness everywhere I go. Guess what? It doesn't take a belief in God for me to do so either.

In short, it doesn't take a belief in God for me to celebrate Christmas.

Also, it has come to a point where people have to realize that Christmas has become a vastly commercialized holiday. Whether Christians like it or not, their signature holiday has evolved into something much more than exclusively about Christianity. And please don't blame atheists for "taking the 'Christ' out of Christmas." I bet not all of the retail owners and CEOs who are responsible for the barrage of sales during this time of year can declare themselves atheists. Similarly, ask all the people lining up in front of stores trying to get their hands to 50%-off iPads if they're Christian or not? Ask yourself too, dear Tyler, Garret, and Caroline.


If Christmas was just about Christians gathering with their families and worshiping in churches, I would, as  Tyler said, "get out." But it's clearly not.


Ultimately - I don't want to get philosophical here - Christmas is just what you make of it. So why can't we all just celebrate it together?

Whether you're commemorating the birth of your savior or celebrating a series of seemingly improbable events that lead us to where we are today, Merry Christmas to you all.