Does Christmas actually mean anything apart form its connection to Jesus?

[-Peacemaker-]

This question is inspired by some of the secular movies and music dealing with Christmas. In such media, there's sometimes this talk about the meaning/importance of Christmas yet it can be difficult pinpoint exactly what that meaning is and why it is important. Now sure these are forms of media and so necessarily reflective of the attitudes of the majority of people. Nevertheless, why do people that don't view Jesus as the savior of mankind celebrate Christmas? Is it so that they don't feel so left out of the party? Is it kind of like mardi gras where it's just an excuse to have a party? Has it evolved to have taken on some special meaning that didn't originally exist much like the pagan holidays that were Christianized?

 

[tumbleweed41]

Humans have celebrated Mid-Winter, or Winter Solstice, long before Christianity came about.
It is well known that, according to Biblical timelines, Jesus was not born in the middle of winter, so it seems that Christianity took that mid-winter celebration and made it its own.

For myself, I have no more problem celebrating Christmas as a midwinter celebration of feasting and gift giving, and still calling it "Christmas", than a Christian who celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus on a holiday they refer to by it's old Saxon pagan name of Easter.

 

[McBell]

Humans have celebrated Mid-Winter, or Winter Solstice, long before Christianity came about.
It is well known that, according to Biblical timelines, Jesus was not born in the middle of winter, so it seems that Christianity took that mid-winter celebration and made it its own.

For myself, I have no more problem celebrating Christmas as a midwinter celebration of feasting and gift giving, and still calling it "Christmas", than a Christian who celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus on a holiday they refer to by it's old Saxon pagan name of Easter.

Out of curiosity, is there any ""Christian" holiday that was NOT a celebration of some sort before Christianity set claims to it?

 

[McBell]

why do people that don't view Jesus as the savior of mankind celebrate Christmas?

Seems to me you are assuming that Christmas has anything to do with Jesus in the first place.
I mean, it isn't his birthday like so many Christians believe and as already been pointed out by tumbleweed, the celebration existed long before Christians claimed it.

Has it evolved to have taken on some special meaning that didn't originally exist much like the pagan holidays that were Christianized?

Sure.
Just look at all the influence Christianity has had on it.

 

[oldbadger]

In Britain, christianity reversed into ancient religious meeting places, as well as festivals and feasts. Many of our churches are sited at ancient places of worship.

 

[Ingledsva]

This question is inspired by some of the secular movies and music dealing with Christmas. In such media, there's sometimes this talk about the meaning/importance of Christmas yet it can be difficult pinpoint exactly what that meaning is and why it is important. Now sure these are forms of media and so necessarily reflective of the attitudes of the majority of people. Nevertheless, why do people that don't view Jesus as the savior of mankind celebrate Christmas? Is it so that they don't feel so left out of the party? Is it kind of like mardi gras where it's just an excuse to have a party? Has it evolved to have taken on some special meaning that didn't originally exist much like the pagan holidays that were Christianized?

I celebrate twelve days of Yule starting with the Winter Solstice.

It has always been a party. Winter Solstice in the Northern hemisphere is the longest night and shortest day. After which the days start getting longer. This is why fire and candles are always associated with it.

 

[mycorrhiza]

I celebrate Winter Solstice by eating good food and spending time with my family.

We call Christmas "Jul" here and not "Kristi mässa" (Christmas), and the connections to Christianity are few in non-Christian homes.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Humans have celebrated Mid-Winter, or Winter Solstice, long before Christianity came about.
It is well known that, according to Biblical timelines, Jesus was not born in the middle of winter, so it seems that Christianity took that mid-winter celebration and made it its own.

For myself, I have no more problem celebrating Christmas as a midwinter celebration of feasting and gift giving, and still calling it "Christmas", than a Christian who celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus on a holiday they refer to by it's old Saxon pagan name of Easter.

In Australia Christmas is celebrated mid summer.....

Even when I was a boy in the 30's and 40's People only had Christmas day itself as a Holiday to spend with their family. A few people also managed to take Boxing day off ( mostly middle and upper classes) Boxing day was when trades men and shopkeepers gave "Boxes" of gifts to their better customers, as a thank you for their custom through out the year. (thisCustomm still exists in a reverse form, I know a "Lady" who always gives out hampers to her Doctor and solicitor on that day)

In the main Christmas was a religious festival much like any of the others.
Christmas became special as a celebration when Queen Victoria introduced and extended German customs to the UK. Before that it was far more a religious time.

 

[savagewind]

I am a believer in Christ, my family is not so. My husband is atheist and he loves Christmas. For many years I did not participate because I was a Jehovah's Witness. They do not celebrate Christmas because of it's pagan origins.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Christmas is vaguely religious holiday thrust upon the masses every year with no hint of stopping. Therefore, I will celebrate it. If that rustles your jimmies, write your congressman.

On the topic of its Christian origin, that's false. The name is Christian and I'll give you that much, but the holiday itself is ancient.

 

[Astounded]

Basically, the way the liturgical calendar is set in the Catholic Church for Christmas is based on the scripture stated by John the Baptist: He (Jesus) must increase. I must decrease.

So the feast day of John the Baptist is celebrated in the summer when the days grow shorter. The feast day of Jesus (Christmas) is celebrated in winter when the days grow longer.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

Personally, I celebrate Christmas because my fiance is Christian, and the kids like it. If it were just me, I wouldn't celebrate it at all, I have no reason to. As far as it being something cultural, and outside the religion it came from, there could be any number of reasons how it got to the point it did. But most cultures and religions, both before and after Christianity, has had a celebration of some type at this time.

 

[NIX]

There are as many meanings to 'christmas' as their are people it means something to.

 

[Noaidi]

It is the co-option of the Winter Solstice by christians. Nothing to do with a virgin birth or 3 kings or wise men or any such stories.
It should be seen as a festival of renewal and hope for the year to come. Something we can all relate to.

 

[Skwim]

Does Christmas actually mean anything apart form its connection to Jesus?

As a child

Yes.
​

 

[jeager106]

Christ-mass has nothing at all to do with Jesus and the roots of every part of Christ-mass is pagan in origin. Dec. 25th has nothing to do with Christs birth, he was likely born in late summer. Christ was a Jew first and foremost. Jews never recognized the day of someones birth as having any meaning. The ancient Jews kept track of age from the approx. date of conception. Why, then would Christs desciples, who were Jews, have any reason to recognize his DATE of birth?
The Bible is the most owned book in American and least least read, let alone understood.
I'm not a member of any Christian denomination. (for those that want to label me something)

 

[McBell]

Christ-mass has nothing at all to do with Jesus...

Perhaps not for you.
Now the question is....
Do you claim to speak for everyone?