An atheist christmas

I'm not sure I'm terribly fond with the idea of identifying myself by what I'm not, rather than what I am. Nevertheless, not believing in a god still requires some sort of definition I think, particularly when it comes to times in the year where a large majority of the people in the country I happen to find myself celebrate their religiosity to the point that it absolutely pervades the culture. Christmas is the obvious example in most Western countries. So I find myself wondering - how should I as humanist celebrate christmas? Or rather, SHOULD I celebrate it? I guess the question really is, what am I celebrating? The answer? Nothing. So why celebrate at all?

I think I am getting comfortable with the fact that christmas for me represents a time of family, a time to take pause and reflect, particularly with respect to the year that has just passed. Christmas on the day itself is purely a tradition - it's a time for me to gather around a tree, eat some fantastic food, catch up with my family all in one space, and just be merry. It could be any day of the year really - and were I a more militant atheist, I might suggest that the day not be shared with one that is earmarked for christians. But that would be silly. Anybody should be allowed to celebrate whatever they want on whatever day they want - and christmas should mean whatever one wants it to mean.

The challenge arises when the religiosity seeps into the otherwise enjoyable time of christmas. The inevitable questions of 'are you going to midnight mass', and my answer being met with overt disaproval from one side of the family. Not that I give a monkey's... but I just wish my non-believing were a bit more accepted, and that I shouldn't require people to 'say a prayer for me'. What a load of tosh really...

I noticed that some atheist organisations hold secular gatherings at christmas. Sounds like a bonnie idea, but I don't know if it's for me really. I don't really feel that I'm missing anything by not going to a church, aside from the fact that it's a time that could otherwise be spent with those in my family who do... but what's an hour or two?

So what's an atheist christmas? It's whatever you want to make of it really - just as is the rest of your life. And I can't wait to share some hugs and laughs with those I love, irrespective of where they choose to spend their time on christmas eve.