> I only ask because I had a discussion the other day with somebody who couldn't understand why I would celebrate Christmas if I'm not a Christian. My reason is simply that I view it as a cultural holiday as much as a religious one; it's a part of American culture that I grew up with. I enjoy the gift-giving and festivities quite a bit, and I simply don't involve myself with any religious aspects.
>
> I also think the general message of peace and goodwill is a pertinent one, regardless of religious leanings.

Ramble warning.

My mother and I have been having this argument off and on for a while; though her actual theology is far closer to Deism than Christianity, it bothers her greatly that I identify myself as belonging to the former rather than the latter. This holiday season, then, has consisted of her picking up pieces of my Christmas decor that I've had since I was a little girl and demanding, "Do Deists believe in angels?" or whatever else she had hold of at the time. (No, but that's pretty and Granny gave that to me, so put it down before you break it.)

Your second paragraph there was my response, more or less. Had I thought of the first one, I'd have added it as well, and since I'm sure we'll have to have this discussion a few more times before the end of the holiday, I may well incorporate it.

The other reason that I continue to celebrate Christmas is that I'm really trying (for the sake of my grandparents, mostly) not to accentuate my difference of religion. Even though my family and I attach different meanings to Christmas, I see no reason to create divisions over it; that completely contradicts the spirit of a holiday of peace, joy, and hope, and those are things that we all hold sacred.

-Cynthia