It is an American holiday where we shower our loved ones with gifts. – I know it sounds so capitalistic and shallow and yeah, American.
It is a time to be with family. Sure sure, the Christmas Carol and whatnot …
There is a Christian holiday with the same name. The story goes Jesus was born in a manger and a North Star and wise men … maybe that star would only have been visible during the summer and maybe the early Christians wanted to have a holiday that alighted with the current more popular pagan religions of the time. This is separate and apart from the American holiday that is Christmas.
I grew up in the SF Bay Area my bestie growing up was from a Pakistani immigrant family. They were practicing Muslims, prayer mats and all – which wasn’t weird because to a kid we all had different family traditions, we were welcome in all the homes equally and that is all that mattered. At any point, my besties family would put up a Christmas tree, decorate the house and do presents, why? Because it is fun! Christmas hasn’t been religious for decades and that is ok. The American holidays are for everyone, you don’t need to be part of a special group. You just need to be American, no tithing required.
This goes for Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the 4th of July. (I feel the need to add Valentine’s Day, but let’s be honest it isn’t a party one, and may have actually been invented by the greeting card companies.
And on that note Happy Holiday’s to all!
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