Defender of the Faith

...OK...maybe not. But I couldn't help but to use this title since this post is in direct response to the recent anti-holiday tirade a fellow blogger has been on lately.

Granted, he has some very valid points. I don't believe that religious messages or stories should be forced on anyone. I also believe that there should be a full separation of Church and State. No local, state or federal agency should have Christmas decorations, or Hanukkah decorations, or any other religious holiday decorations for that matter.

I was raised Catholic and raised with Christmas. I've always loved the holiday season, and I've loved the traditions. However, it never felt like a religious holiday to me. We never paused in our gift giving around the tree to say "Let's take a moment and celebrate the fact that the Son of God was born today!" Nope. We might have gone to midnight mass a couple times, but it was more out of duty then of any real observation. Even the "Nativity Story" seemed like just a really good story. In fact, probably 99.5% of the people I knew had the same sort of feelings about the holidays. (And it's not that I wasn't taught about my religion- I went to "church school" all my life, and attended Catholic high school).

So what do I love about Christmas?

- the decorations. The lights...decorating the tree. I love the way my home takes on an entirely different look and feel when it's all "done up" with lights and candles. My mother has given me a Christmas ornament each year since my early teens...so my tree is like a tree of memories.

-singing carols. In high school, I was a member of our chorus and we used to travel and perform various Christmas carols. It was fun. It's a great memory. And I still love hearing "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." (The Christmas song)

-yeah, I admit it, the presents! Nowadays, I like the buying more than the receiving. I like to get creative and try to figure out something fun and unique to get those I love. When I'm in a relationship, I love exchanging gifts with my s.o. Gives me a chance to do something really nice for him.

-the Santa story. I remember the excitement as a child on Christmas morning. I remember trying to hear the reindeer on Christmas eve. Now I love to see the wonder and the anticipation on my nephews and niece's faces.

There's more...but you get the idea.

Here's the rub: I'm no longer Catholic. I'm no longer Christian. And I still love the holiday season. I am sorry that other children felt "left out", because as I said, the best parts about the holiday (especially for kids) have absolutely nothing to do with Christ.

Isn't it interesting that the Christians' two biggest holidays, the birth of Christ and the resurrection of Christ, are totally eclipsed by two secular holiday traditions- Santa Claus and the Easter bunny? I'm sure if I wasn't so lazy at the moment I could research the reasons behind it.

It almost feels like a well-calculated campaign. By giving the holidays fun "mascots" they have managed to ensure that these holidays will have mass appeal in spite of a person's religious beliefs. I'm sure that if celebrating Christ's birth only consisted of some sort of birthday cake, this holiday wouldn't have the widespread visibility it currently has.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Christmas (and Easter for that matter) have become just a more hyped up version of 4th of July, Superbowl Sunday, or Thanksgiving. But in this case- certain sections of the population aren't allowed to enjoy the festivities since it implies support for beliefs they don't have.

I guess technically, I'm now a member of that section of the population. Too bad- I'm celebrating anyway. For me, it's about love, children, music, and family.