Pagan Question about dealing with Christmas?

Question

Ok, as some know, I'm Druid, and that I celebrate the holiday of Yule instead of Christmas. I have a couple of Lutheran family members who have been asking what I want for Christmas. I don't want to offend them and just say "Nothing, because I don't believe in it." So how should I go about handling this?

And for those few bible-pushing Christians out there, no, I don't want Jesus Christ. So don't even give me that as an answer here. I'm happy being a Druid, and nothing will ever change that.

I'm just looking for a kind and nice way to express to some Lutheran family members that I don't want anything for Christmas because my religion doesn't support it. Any help?

Answer 1

come on even athiests enjoy christmas. Just because you dont follow the faith doesnt mean you cant enjoy the festivities.

Answer 2

As a Bible pusher; I do not celebrate Christmas for other reasons besides the ones you have as a Druid. I will do a search on Druid & your beliefs so I better understand what you believe. I respect your religious beliefs.

Your family members need to be handled with tactfulness. Explain to them in a kind manner your religious beliefs. Take the time to explain your beliefs & answer any questions that they may have. The family members that respect your beliefs will honor your wishes that you do not want presents for Christmas. Some family members may still give you presents despite what you believe. You can accept the gift & say "Thank you". If keeping the gift bothers your conscience; do what I do. I just give the gift to someone that can use it & appreciate it.

Answer 3

What's your thoughts on Yule gifts, then?

See, most families, they're going to want to do the whole gift exchange thing, not necessarily as a religious observance, per se, but as a tradition.

If you're willing to accept that, then groove on the gifts, if that's what you want. I'm not Christian, and so don't celebrate Christmas - but at the same point, I'm still heading to my folks' place, and doing the gift exchange thing.

If you really feel uncomfortable accepting any gifts for the holiday under any circumstance - simply tell them that you don't want any gifts. No need to tell them that you don't believe in the holiday. Just... be warned that some of them might still get you presents anyway. Remember what the Triads say regarding hospitality - sometimes, for politeness' sake, a gift exchange just needs to be put up with.

Answer 4

I'm Wiccan and view Christmas as a "family" holiday. We still do the traditional things like exchange gifts, get together for dinner, etc. But on the actual Solstice, I'll observe that in my own way, just me and my wife.

In the U.S. "Christmas" is just as much a secular holiday as it is a religious one. And when you look at the history of the "holiday season" most of the deep traditions were around before Christianity was. How many times have you heard someone from a very strict Christian sect complain about "Christmas" trees, holly, mistletoe, Yule logs and all the rest being "Pagan?" Celebrations at this time of the year have been observed by cultures of many faiths, spanning the globe for eons. It isn't just Christian, not by a long shot.

While you may not see any point in exchanging gifts, it may bring a lot of joy to your family members to give gifts. Why take that away from them? Why not just observe it as a family holiday?

Answer 5

As a Druid you should know that Christmas is basically a pagan tradition adapted by the Roman church and has little to do with Bible pushing Christians. In other words it's Yule Tide! Enjoy your own holiday, be happy -- and perhaps not so insecure.

Answer 6

I grew up Lutheran, dabbled in Wicca for about two years, and have now settled happily inbetween the two as a Mystic Christian. I would suggest being poilte and celebrating their holiday with them. It is the kind thing to do, and would probably make them feel better. You don't have to wear a sign that says that you're Druid as long as they don't try and drag you to church. If you are firm in your belief that you don't want to participate in gift-giving, then politely say that you do not celebrate Christmas, but that they could buy a gift for a needy family in lieu of giving you something. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I would simply tell them "I don't celebrate Christmas". I went thru this when I first came out to the rest of the family that I'm Pagan. Now, though, I exchange gifts with some, but don't stick around for the Christian tradition some of my family members engage in on Christmas Eve.

Answer 8

not many people see things like christmas as a religious thing anymore, more a time for family to be together. Think of it this way, say you married someone that was a muslim or a jew, or some other religion to yourself. You would want to celebrate the times you believe in, but wouldn't you also want to celebrate hanukkah or whatever other special time with them? So that you can share things together? Its all about tolerance of other peoples beliefs. Me, I don't believe in the religious reason for christmas, that isnt going to stop me putting up a tree with presents under it and having my family over for dinner. Its the best time of year for family to get together, for any reason.

Answer 9

Bagel, I'm one hundred percent non-believer. If someone offers me a gift at any time, I thank the person very kindly.
You sure don't have to believe in Christ to receive a gift . I've studied religions a lot, but I don't know what Druids believe in. One thing is sure, I don't believe in Druids.
The more religions are resurrected the screwer they become. I'll stick with Woden.

Answer 10

Just tell them what you told us here.. why be ashamed of your belief's. Why would you offend them, if that is what you believe?

Not wanting things for Christmas is your thing ... so don't participate in the festivities, don't show up to anyone's home during the season ... that will make it perfectly clear to your family that you don't believe in Christmas and what it stands for.

The only thing that could change your mind ...
... is when you know you are going to die, and then meet your maker.

We all die ... we can't stop from doing it ... this life is temporal.
Be careful what you believe in ... You have your choices now ... after your dead there is no more choice in this life.

Answer 11

I'm an atheist and I forget all the labels and the special identity of being non-religious or atheistic. We're all into this special identity that our religions (or no religion) give us and it's all about specialness and ego. My extended family is very fundamentalist christian and, for a while, I was unconsciously viewing myself as this special intellectual atheist who was beyond their belief systems. I then 'progressed' to the understanding and 'spiritual' atheist who participated in their customs and beliefs, with the reinterpretation on my part of it being community, etc. (but I still had this unrecognized level of specialness and identity). I then had a huge realization that the problem was me -- that it was my specialness and identity that I was seeking (that I was hiding under the delusion of people 'respecting my beliefs'). When I realized that I just really liked being around these people and that it didn't matter what the heck we were getting together for, I felt the lack of separation which should be at the basis of all religion. And there's only ONE person who needs to do this -- ME. I then fell in love with their celebration of Christmas; I went to their services and joined in and it was incredible -- again, once I got myself out of the way. I felt the same thing when my brother asked me to be godparent of my niece. I decided to get my ego and specialness out of the way and not to concentrate on whether I'm an atheist or a christian or whatever and just realize that underneath all this it's just about people. So, my advice is: keep your faith and let it teach you about love and non-separateness. And let it teach you that the forms are not important. And accept the christmas celebration and gifts as part of our culture and even as part of your religion -- meaning, in the end it's all about people and when we identify ourselves as buddhist, atheist, druid, wiccan, christian, hindu, jew, muslim, etc.. we're focusing on the means as an end (and using it for specialness and separating) and missing the whole point. And it has nothing to do with whether or not someone else does this or not; it's just about whether I decide to do it (and to do it without thinking about how spiritually special I am for allowing myself to integrate myself into other practices -- just be friggin ordinary).