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So since I kinda touched on this in that other thread I went on about... how do any of you handle celebrating traditionally religious holidays with your family when you are not the same.  Example, I am a non-Christian, UU, earth/nature spiritual person and grew up with my family who for the most part is at least Christian and mostly strict Catholics.  I sometimes feel uncomfortable but unlike my sis who will be vocal, I don't want to ruin it for the rest of the group... do you practice your spiritual occasions just at home, work them in via non-confrontational means, or just hide in the corner?  Just wondering.

Thanks!  (and I'm glad to be back with the cool cats of WC and thanks for having me back!!

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Honestly, Vonde, for me, because I don't celebrate it as a Christian holiday, (I think our "beliefs" are quite similar) and I'm really disgusted with the commercialism of it, (I used to at least enjoy the "Peace on Earth" aspect of it.) I have come to envy the Jehovah's Witnesses, who don't celebrate Christmas or birthdays.  I do my giving all through the year, as I am able.  Sadly, the whole holiday season has been hijacked by stores, who push people to buy more, more, more! Then the holidays become "keeping up with the Jones" as far as gifts go, etc, and people feel bad when they can't get their kids lots of stuff.  That's not what Christmas is about.  I'm really hoping these tough times will remind people that "stuff" is not what matters in life.  (Even in the Bible it says not to gather your treasure here on earth.)  Anyway, I say Bah, humbug!!!    lol

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I just think that it is so overwhelming this time of year to deal with all of this, you know?  and I'm a big Bah Humbugger too  

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well, as i touched on in another thread, i feel like christmas has been hijacked, and is basically in the process of being co-opted into the secular-progressive "winter holiday." and i also feel like as a replacement for the religious aspects of christmas, we see this consumer driven bonanza that only goes to benefit the economy.

as such, we try to shy away from the commercialization of "the holiday season." yes, we buy presence for our niece, and we will buy presents for our children, but that's about it. everyone else gets an annual christmas card with family pic. we try to donate food and what little money we can, to help bless the lives of others, and i mostly try to focus on all the little blessings in my life, that we so often tend to overlook.

but that doesn't really answer the question posed in OP.

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I think Christmas is what you make of it.  Yes, it is commercial...if you let it be.  We don't usually let that worry us too much though.  We go ahead and live our own lives and celebrate how we like without worrying about how malls and ads and all that has stolen Christmas.

We do a variety of secular and non-secular things for Christmas.  Generally the adults in the family will all get together and go out to a (nicer) restaurant prior to Christmas and have a nice dinner.  This is a time when we can get together and enjoy one another's company without chasing kids and cooking and all the work that goes into our main Christmas party.

Maybe a few days prior to that, my uncle (the millionaire)   will usually have a large dinner and feed most of our small town.  Lots of times it is a fish fry.  He holds the dinner for his employees and families.  And since he employs most of our town, most everyone gets a free meal!  Secular...no religion to it.  But its one way he gives back to the community and shows his thanks for his blessings.

Christmas Eve we all come together at the old homestead.  Its an old plantation home and we've been doing this since I was a little boy (probably longer).  The families and kids will arrive, play games, sing carols and have party.  (No liquor...which really bums me out).  Not really a formal sit-down dinner, but usually everyone gets a paper plate, overloads it and finds somewhere to eat.

Santa usually visits the little ones.  We have usually drawn names and exchange gifts (though we didn't this year...and I'm still sad about that).  Then we clean up for an hour.  :/

Christmas Morning (some) of us go to our local churches to give thanks and worship.  Its not a full fledged church services, but usually a time of reflection for what Jesus did and does for us.  Doesn't last too long 30 minutes or so.  

Then (if we haven't done so already), everyone goes home to open Christmas presents.   I usually cook Christmas breakfast for mom.  And later, we have Christmas Dinner...more formal.  And after clean up, we're usually so full and sleepy that we doze on the couch watching "A Christmas Story" re-runs all afternoon.  Lol!

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My beliefs are a real mix up of many systems.For me christmas is a time for family,friends,love and thankfullness.And living in the land down under means the season has absolutely nothing to do with the winter solstice or Yule.So how do I do things?My tree and house are decorated with things that are symbolic to me,presents are just for little chidren and the very old,wplace an emphasis on handmade gifts or plants to those we do give to.The meal is like a summer feast for us,seafood,salads and lots of fruit,a celebration of 'bounty'.I have my little rituals and observances that I attend to alone,although any is welcome to join me.Irespect the bele=iefs of my christian family members,and often remind them I believe in Jesus too,for me he was the first alternative.

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Originally Posted by Gina Stern:
for me he was the first alternative.

curious.

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I was born and raised as a Bahai but chose to leave that religion behind over 20 years ago. I have a kind of mix of beliefs. I believe in God in as much as that is a convenient name for whatever created the universe. I pray in a manner of speaking - I talk to my relatives in the next life most days and thank them and God for helping/guiding me/looking after me and my loved ones.

I have a few spirit guides whom I have met through meditation and will be getting tattoo's in recognition/honour of.

I don't believe in knocking a persons beliefs but when a person blindly follows a religion all bets are off....

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Originally Posted by David Macleod:


I don't believe in knocking a persons beliefs but when a person blindly follows a religion all bets are off....

i think when a person believes anything blindly, all bets are off.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:

Originally Posted by David Macleod:


I don't believe in knocking a persons beliefs but when a person blindly follows a religion all bets are off....

i think when a person believes anything blindly, all bets are off.

Ha ha! Quite so!

I forgot to say that as far as celebrating goes I get into Christmas as so far as I get to see my loved one's opening their presents. I don't really celebrate anything to any great extent as most things are overblown and far too comercialised these days for my liking.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:

Originally Posted by David Macleod:


I don't believe in knocking a persons beliefs but when a person blindly follows a religion all bets are off....

i think when a person believes anything blindly, all bets are off.

Ha ha! Quite so!

I forgot to say that as far as celebrating goes I get into Christmas as so far as I get to see my loved one's opening their presents. I don't really celebrate anything to any great extent as most things are overblown and far too comercialised these days for my liking.

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