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>Isn't Christmas a religious holiday? No, not really. There is almost nothing Christian in modern Christmas. Yes, about 15% of nominal Christian will attend

>Isn't Christmas a religious holiday? No, not really. There is almost nothing Christian in modern Christmas. Yes, about 15% of nominal Christian will attend church but everything from the date (birthday of the Sun) to Christmas trees are pagan. In Australia, one of the least religious countries on Earth have Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists getting Christmas photos with Santa at the shops. It is cultural, not religious. It is similar to how Australia loves the Chinese New Year or America loves St Patricks Day. A typical Aussie Christmas lunch is prawns (not shrimp), crab, cold roast meats and salads.

NateEag 7y ago
Yes, Christmas has roots in pagan traditions, but it absolutely is a Christian holiday and the Church has been celebrating it for many centuries. Note the word "Christ" in both words. And yes, to the GP, these are indeed functions the church is supposed to fulfill. My family used to invite some of the widows in our church over for Christmas regularly, and all our lives were better for it.
- hug 7y ago
  Christmas does not belong to Christians, is not a specifically Christian holiday, and essentially never has been. The date, trees, wreaths, Santa, gift giving, and caroling are all 'pagan' traditions. Everyone I know, almost none of whom are Christian, celebrates at this time of year in a completely secular way.
  - NateEag 7y ago
    I started to write a point-by-point response but realized I just don't want to spend the time on it. It's possible my grasp of the history here is wrong, but I'm fairly convinced yours is. I sing Christmas carols with explicitly Christian lyrics that date back at least centuries. Santa is certainly secular at this point, but he's a young figure, and there's a case to be made that he's rooted in Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna, a.k.a. "St. Nick". Many other Christmas traditions do have their roots in pagan holidays, yes. Current observance is largely secular, yes. But, anything that's been observed by Christians for centuries is clearly Christian at least in part. Claiming the holiday has never been Christian is absurd and shows that you've never bothered to study Church history (which of course you don't have to, but if you haven't you should not pretend you know it).
    - ThalesX 7y ago
      Christ - Jesus of Nazareth, held by Christians to be the fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the eventual coming of a Messiah. Mass - Mass is the main eucharistic liturgical service in many forms of Western Christianity. Christmas. Furthermore, the top comment was mentioning Christian Christmas activities, ignoring the derailment of the discussion into secularity, the answer is most likely a plain yes. Furthermore, I’m willing to bet that (especially in a large city) there are already Facebook events that are not related to religion that give you something do for Christmas.

NateEag 7y ago

Yes, Christmas has roots in pagan traditions, but it absolutely is a Christian holiday and the Church has been celebrating it for many centuries. Note the word "Christ" in both words. And yes, to the GP, these are indeed functions the church is supposed to fulfill. My family used to invite some of the widows in our church over for Christmas regularly, and all our lives were better for it.

hug 7y ago
Christmas does not belong to Christians, is not a specifically Christian holiday, and essentially never has been. The date, trees, wreaths, Santa, gift giving, and caroling are all 'pagan' traditions. Everyone I know, almost none of whom are Christian, celebrates at this time of year in a completely secular way.
- NateEag 7y ago
  I started to write a point-by-point response but realized I just don't want to spend the time on it. It's possible my grasp of the history here is wrong, but I'm fairly convinced yours is. I sing Christmas carols with explicitly Christian lyrics that date back at least centuries. Santa is certainly secular at this point, but he's a young figure, and there's a case to be made that he's rooted in Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna, a.k.a. "St. Nick". Many other Christmas traditions do have their roots in pagan holidays, yes. Current observance is largely secular, yes. But, anything that's been observed by Christians for centuries is clearly Christian at least in part. Claiming the holiday has never been Christian is absurd and shows that you've never bothered to study Church history (which of course you don't have to, but if you haven't you should not pretend you know it).
  - ThalesX 7y ago
    Christ - Jesus of Nazareth, held by Christians to be the fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the eventual coming of a Messiah. Mass - Mass is the main eucharistic liturgical service in many forms of Western Christianity. Christmas. Furthermore, the top comment was mentioning Christian Christmas activities, ignoring the derailment of the discussion into secularity, the answer is most likely a plain yes. Furthermore, I’m willing to bet that (especially in a large city) there are already Facebook events that are not related to religion that give you something do for Christmas.