as a non-christian what do you celebrate at Yuletide?

Question

reading the answers so far it seems Christians celebrate the supposed birth of their mythical saviour. But what do the rest of us celebrate?

Suppose I celebrate having a few days of work, visiting my family and seeing their joy as they open presents and feast is shared between us. It is also good to cheer ones self up in the cold dark months.

what do you celebrate?

Answer 1

im a christian

Answer 2

Yes, it is good to have a holiday during the dark of winter, to offer some cheer in the cold!

It is the slow time of year, where we have not much else to do but kick back and relax. So, gathering with family, getting together with friends, this is the perfect opportunity.

It is a time to reflect on how nature gives us much to contemplate. We look at the landscape (at least up here in the north) and everything appears to be dead, sleeping and lifeless. We have short overcast days and long cold nights.

We remember that we are looking at the cycle of life, death and we know that in a few months we will see a "rebirth" of nature, and we understand how this fits into our own life and beliefs.

I will light all the lights and candles tonight and welcome the lengthening of days and the promise of spring and a new cycle. And I will sit around the table with family and friends and enjoy the good company.

Answer 3

I am an atheist - I celebrate Christmas because everyone else does and its the norm only to me it has no religious connotations. I suppose I celebrate for the same reasons as you, days off work, present giving and recieving, seeing ALL of your family, eating a wonderful dinner, the best you will have all year, the camaraderie around the table, the joy of my wonderful step daughter now she finally "gets" what Christmas is all about - that wonderful feeling of the magic of Santa been re introduced into my life by way of my step daughter and feeling what my mum and dad must have felt when they told me all about him and I believed, its lovely to see her face, its lovely to know that magic exists even when your older just in different ways!!

Answer 4

As a pagan, I celebrate the return of the Sun and look forward to the days growing longer :)

I also have the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of my grandson on the 21st and my daugher on the 22nd. We thank the Goddess for our family and for our blessings and look forward to the blessings to come. We'll sing Yule carols and have a feast, and light candles on our Yule log (we don't have a fireplace).

It is interesting that many cultures celebrated the birth or rebirth of a "god-king" at this time of year long before christianity came on the scene.

I think your way of celebrating is just lovely.
Many blessings to you on your path..
Kallan

Answer 5

To be very simplistic, I celebrate the rebirth of the God, who died at Samhain (Halloween). At Yule (the Winter Solstice), the Goddess (the moon) gives birth to the God (the sun), which is why the days start getting longer. Usually I burn candles, cook a big ol' feast, give out presents, decorate my tree (the pagans had that first), do some ritual work, reflect on my life, journal, work on my theban script (I have atrocious handwriting).

Blessed Yule!
)O(

Answer 6

I am an atheist, so I am similar to you I guess.
I just celebrate time off work and uni, the opportunity to have some fun with friends and family. Everyone's lives are sooooo busy all the time, this is the period when time sort of stops for a while.People stop rushing......
At least if feels like this for me and my friends, we finally get the time to catch up,spend a few precious days together, relax, and forget about everyday troubles, just enjoy peace and quiet and each others' company.
Presents are a bonus, but not nearly as important and quality time spent with the loved ones

Answer 7

I am an atheist working in the healthcare field. As a result I don't celebrate this time of year, as it is just like the rest of the year for me. I don't get days off over the period beginning 25th Dec, as people still need to be cared for regardless of religious celebration.

I also find it quite sad that people have to use this time of year just as an excuse to be nice to people, visit their families, etc. Why can't it be done all year round?

Answer 8

As a witch, I celebrate the Winter Solstice, the 'return' of the sun as the days gets longer once again. I have a Yule tree in my living room and have made a Yule log which I will burn tomorrow (and keep a piece of the remains to start my Yule fire with next year). I will have a bonfire in my garden and celebrate with mulled wine, mead and giving gifts to family and friends.
On a secondary note, the 'mythical' saviour of the Christians was a real bloke, we know this from many (non-biblical) sources. whether you believe he was the son of god is a matter of their faith, but Jesus was a real man.

Answer 9

I'm a Baha'i. We typically don't celebrate Christmas, as we have our own calendar with its own holidays including a 4-day gift-giving holiday in February. My wife and children visit with Christian extended family on Christmas Eve. The kids get gifts from them and my wife and I may buy something for whomever we visit. But we don't celebrate in our own home.

It's really very liberating to not have to get caught up in the materialism and stress of the season. When Ayyam-i-Ha (our gift-giving holiday) rolls around, we're nice and relaxed and are able to focus on the true meaning of the holiday rather than fighting crowds and getting all bent out of shape. (I know that's not what Christmas is about either, but that's how it looks from the outside.)

Answer 10

I think i celebrate like you. I love the time off work, the happy spirit people seem to have running up to christmas, the time with my family and partying. And getting and giving presents.

Answer 11

As a Wiccan Pagan I celebrate the Winter Solstice on 22nd December. We have mulled wine, a fine dinner and a Balefire in the Garden with music and dancing.