You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Embrace the Christmas Season
by Elizabeth Reed will help you focus on the real meaning of the season regardless of your religious beliefs. There is a good message here, especially for children who can often be more concerned with what they are going to get than what they might do for others.

Beyond Jesus

• The holiday season is more than just celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s more than participating in one of the biggest shopping excursions of the year. It’s about togetherness with friends and family and appreciating what you have as a whole. It’s not what you should want thanks to commercials or religious icons. The Christmas season can be embraced by others from all walks of life for reasons other than religious significance.

Family and Friends

• From the end of October, the spirit of the holidays wafts in the air like the smell of a freshly cooked spice apple pie. It is the time of year when you want to surround yourself with those you love and appreciate them for who they are. Anyone regardless of spiritual beliefs can appreciate that aspect of the season. You don’t need to be any denomination of Christian or any other faith to embrace those who are dearest to you. Although this should be a year-round event, the holiday season seems to put more emphasis on this aspect of existence. Perhaps its the candles, music, festive decorations or a combination of all of them.

Fellow Humankind

• The holiday season also brings out the very best in humanity without a religious undertone. People who normally don’t bother with transients throughout the year find themselves donating money or handing those less fortunate a blanket in order to keep warmer through the winter. It is the embodiment of goodwill towards humankind. It’s the one time of the year when those belonging to higher social groups are more likely to lend a hand to those in need. It is the spirit of giving to the world that is embraced – not the religious belief structure that is tied to the holiday. You find yourself giving gifts to complete strangers because they look like they could use a friend.

Festivities

• Although there is a great deal of religion in the medium of Christmas, there is almost an equal balance of entertainment for those who don’t wish to involve themselves with religiousness. Some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives are those of Christmas parties either at home or in the office. It is the act of enjoying each others company that makes this time of the year special. Traditions can easily be created adding more to the atmosphere. None of it requires a religious aspect in order to be appreciated. Christmas is a celebration of life to many and not simply because of Jesus, but because the message that is being conveyed to those willing to participate. You don’t need to be holy to decorate the home in holly.

And To All A Good Night

• Although there is nothing wrong with having a religion and believing in other meanings for Christmas, the season doesn’t merely have to be for those who believe as you do. It doesn’t matter who or what the figure head is as long as the message is relatively the same. Not being of like-minded beliefs shouldn’t have a bearing on what the holiday season brings to everyone. Instead of being locked away and denying Christmas because of its religious affiliations, why not embrace the season for what it truly reflects – love, respect and harmonious balance between the people of this planet. Regardless of your religious tenancies, we are all still of the same species with similar desires and needs.

Elizabeth Reed

• Elizabeth is a freelance writer and a resident blogger at Livenanny.org. She particularly enjoys writing about parenting, childcare, health and wellness. In addition, she is an expert consultant on issues related to household management and kids. You can reach her at elizabeth.livenanny@gmail.com.

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