“Not even commercially?”

Ahh, this is the time of year I have to explain a variant on this myself. The best was one from a co-worker who said “Well, I know some Jews who celebrate it just for fun!”

You know for a country that likes to paint itself as a melting pot, it seems being non-Christian or non-holiday celebrating is beyond most people’s grasp.

I’ve heard more recent variations on that theme from folks who celebrate Diwali. Ov vey!

In other news, I am looking forward to “True Grit” for my movie/Chinese food combo.

Winters away from the equator are hard on people. Celebrations ease tensions and lift spirits. As an atheist (who occasionally attends church with family) I appreciate Christmas and other winter holidays for what they are and what they do for us, and I frankly can’t get enough of the holiday season.

The only thing that bothers me are the culture warriors who need to find conflict where there doesn’t need to be any.

In response to the mixed-holiday household, I’m not an adherent to any of the fashionable faiths out there, but I still like Christmas. The holiday itself has been around since the Neolithic Era, at least, having more to do with celebrating the Solstice and thus the promise of warmer weather ahead. I don’t believe you need to worship anything to be in favor of warmer weather, so it’s a holiday I think most of us can get behind (except you, Australia and New Zealand. I don’t even want to hear about your lovely weather in mid-January).

Christmas trees are lovely, Menorahs are lovely, the presents, food, drinks and general air of the holiday season are all wonderful. So I see nothing wrong with having any of that stuff in your house at this time of year.

I’m in the position of not technically being Jewish (via Jewish law), but still having a connection, via my Dad. When I was younger, we did indeed celebrate Passover. These days, when my brother and I are both off doing our own thing most of the time, not so much. These days, I’m rather indifferent about Christmas trees – but my Dad insists on one. Not because of the celebration of Christ, but because of the family ritual of the thing. If anything, we’re not a Christian, Jewish or Atheist family, we’re a family – family .. that is, we celebrate events that bring us together. And I don’t see anything wrong with that. :)

I also declared war on Thanksgiving this year. War on Saint Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s day is in the preliminary stages.

Isn’t that what the melting pot concept is about? Everyone get in the pot, we’ll melt you down, and you’ll all become Americans.

That was what I was taught in school was the philosophical difference between the US and Canada. The US is a melting pot, Canada is multicultural.

So we get a little mix of Jewish, German, and American traditions. It’s nice. And it’s about family. And about remembering. And reverence. All of those things. And it works for us, and that’s the wonderful thing about holidays. This season is so many things to so many people and we all get to enjoy it our own special ways, and that’s wonderful.

Heck, maybe next year we’ll even put up a Festivus Pole and have a little wrestling. Could happen.

Merry Chrismakah everyone!

Jews and everyone else should be free to celebrate xmas if they want. It and Hanukkah aren’t mutually exclusive; observant Jews can keep Hanukkah as the minor holiday it was and observant Christians can celebrate Christ’s birth and everyone else can get a tree and drink egg nog. Or do whatever they want.

Not that I endorse the current consumerist frenzy that is Christmas, but nobody should have a monopoly on the general concept or be barred from it. Open Source Xmas!

Technically speaking, all of those groups can be considered “family”, but I think societal pressure to be with a traditional “Norman Rockwell” structure of “family” is stifling, destructive and the cause for a lot of pain during the holidays.

So if someone tells you they are not spending the holidays with “family”, don’t give them grief. Respect there are valid reasons one would want to celebrate the holidays in “non-traditional” ways.

Jardine, that is the cynical perspective but in cities like NYC there is respect for others exists. And that’s why I love living in NYC.

atheist child of non practicing jewish (mom) & christian (dad) assimilators…