Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of Jesus. OK. I'll go along with that, there are plenty of non-religious celebrations which take place on days which are not the correct date. Like the 4th of July isn't the day of Independence for the United States. That's because the signatures needed from the other representatives weren't done until August and even then some others signed it later. So Christ wasn't born on Dec 25th, who cares right? Well Christians do but I mean, he could have been born on July 4th and you'd most likely still celebrate it just like you do now? right?

Then you have all the traditions such as lights on the house, a tree in the house, a yule log, santa, egg nog, snowmen, rudolph, elf on a shelf, carols, coal in a stocking, stockings by the fire, cookies and milk for santa, wreaths on the door, tinsel on the tree, lights on the tree, decorations on the tree, why presents are under the tree, christmas cards, mistletoe kisses, 12 days of Christmas and why presents are wrapped. Even the personal traditions you have? You could go even further and talk about the food you eat and the 'family recipes' handed down generation after generation. When you open up presents? etc. etc. etc.

Some of the traditions are christian specific such as carols which are basically hymns about the birth of christ. However roaming around the streets singing to others is not a christian creation, only the specific caroling of christian hymns are so. The list goes on and on. Some christian specific traditions, some not christian traditions. So what you have is a hodge podge of traditions which are mixed together and absorbed by each believer or non-believer. Nothing wrong with that? Right? It's ok for you to have your beliefs and for me to have mine?

But what about outside the US of A?

I know through personal experience that in El Salvador it is a tradition to leave your presents under the bed, not the tree. Also that baby Jesus brings the presents on Christmas eve, not Santa. Also that you are supposed to leave the child two gold coins. Not your typical traditions huh? Are they wrong? Are they christian traditions? The list goes on and not just for El Salvador. There are hundreds if not thousands of different traditions all over the world just like these and those which are different.

So where do you draw a line on what is christmas and what isn't christmas. You can say, "this is our tradition" but you can't force it on others. That would be unfair if some one tried to force their tradition on you, wouldn't you get upset? It would be unfair if people tried to do traditions you didn't like and then put them up at the town hall. Would it be fair or unfair to a Hindu or a Muslim to prevent them from having their traditions put on public display? What makes your religion more important than any other religion? Christians certainly didn't give to hoots for the traditions of the American Indians. Christians attempted and in many times, CONVERTED them to christianity. Why? Because christians don't respect other religions or beliefs. You don't. So stop telling yourself that you do.

Now. Now. Don't get angry at me. I'm only telling it like it is, this is how christians have worked for a very long time. Missionaries were the worst offenders, but it is all the same.

This country is big enough for every one. It is a melting pot of beliefs. It is what made America #1 for many decades. IT IS ABOUT SHARING. IT IS ABOUT RESPECTING. IT IS ABOUT TOLERATING. So start being a christian and stop being a tool. 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Season Greetings!