Another Xmas is nearly upon us, as I write this. I know there are many who assume that, being an atheist, I don't celebrate the holiday. In fact, I do.
Some may accuse me of hypocrisy, celebrating the holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus. These are probably the same folks who are offended by the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. "Keep Christ in Christmas," they say, and don't care that the "X" is the Greek symbol representing Christ.
And why should we keep Christ in Christmas? It's not like he was part of it originally, anyhow.
Like many Christian holidays, Xmas was a substitution for a pagan celebration. When Christianity was young and struggling to gain a foothold with the masses, Christian leaders deliberately created holidays that would take place around the same time as existing pagan celebrations. It made the transition much easier for the masses, who generally didn't care what was being celebrated, only that there was a celebration at all.
However, I'm not pagan, either, so why do I observe Xmas?
Because I like it.
I like seeing my whole family, though I wish I could do so as easily at any time of year.
I like buying presents for people, though I wish I could give them gifts at any time without them wondering why.
I like the holiday music (without lyrics, for obvious reasons), though I wish it didn't start on the day after Thanksgiving.
I like the spirit of goodwill that permeates the season, though I wish it lasted longer and was more sincere.
Sure, there are things I dislike about Xmas. Obviously, the whole myth-perpetuation, both of Jesus and Santa Claus. I dislike the crass commercialism. I intensely dislike the fact that "Santa" made his appearance at 8:30 on Saturday morning, riding in a fire engine that visited my apartment complex with sirens blaring, preventing any possibility of returning to sleep.
But aside from that, I like Xmas.
And I hope you and yours have a safe and happy holiday season. See you next year.
