Where are you going to celebrate Christmas?

[Spirit of Light]

In Norway I get asked this a lot these days and don't get me wrong, it is a very nice question

Being Sufi does not mean people stop inviting you to their Christmas parties and it does not mean I can't attend their celebration. I just have to bring my own vegetarian food, what we drink? No alcohol in the parties I chose to attend so some kind of beverage that is ok for me to drink.

I am not there for the Christian message of what Christmas are for many people, but I will attend as a friend and helper so their Christmas celebration can be as good as they want it.

Even if one of them invited me to church I would go there with them. Christmas to me is not about Christ, but about being there as a fellow human being, and a friend.

Tolerance for others are important and respecting their traditions even I my self no longer take part in them the way they do is just showing respect for others.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm in the same boat with you, down to bringing my own vegetarian food.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I'm in the same boat with you, down to bringing my own vegetarian food.

I feel it's a good way to be able to take part in their celebration and still eat what is right for me

 

[Nimos]

In Norway I get asked this a lot these days and don't get me wrong, it is a very nice question

Being Sufi does not mean people stop inviting you to their Christmas parties and it does not mean I can't attend their celebration. I just have to bring my own vegetarian food, what we drink? No alcohol in the parties I chose to attend so some kind of beverage that is ok for me to drink.

I am not there for the Christian message of what Christmas are for many people, but I will attend as a friend and helper so their Christmas celebration can be as good as they want it.

Even if one of them invited me to church I would go there with them. Christmas to me is not about Christ, but about being there as a fellow human being, and a friend.

Tolerance for others are important and respecting their traditions even I my self no longer take part in them the way they do is just showing respect for others.

I have celebrated Christmas my whole life and never once associated it with anything religious, despite there being a lot of songs etc that are religious. And as you say, going to these things such as church or attending Christmas, doesn't mean that you worship or even celebrate that religion. Also I think God would be able of knowing if you were, but doubt that he cares that you have a bit of fun with some friends or family.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if Muslims held some sort of celebration as well that day, just not Christmas, but more just a party or family gathering, simply to be part of the good mood and fun that it can bring. And if they don't they ought to

 

[Spirit of Light]

I have celebrated Christmas my whole life and never once associated it with anything religious, despite there being a lot of songs etc that are religious. And as you say, going to these things such as church or attending Christmas, doesn't mean that you worship or even celebrate that religion. Also I think God would be able of knowing if you were, but doubt that he cares that you have a bit of fun with some friends or family.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if Muslims held some sort of celebration as well that day, just not Christmas, but more just a party or family gathering, simply to be part of the good mood and fun that it can bring. And if they don't they ought to

Here I agree with you fully

 

[SalixIncendium]

I'll likely spend Christmas with my daughter and her family.

As far a cuisine goes, they typically go out of their way to make me something vegetarian.

 

[ChristineM]

In Norway I get asked this a lot these days and don't get me wrong, it is a very nice question

Being Sufi does not mean people stop inviting you to their Christmas parties and it does not mean I can't attend their celebration. I just have to bring my own vegetarian food, what we drink? No alcohol in the parties I chose to attend so some kind of beverage that is ok for me to drink.

I am not there for the Christian message of what Christmas are for many people, but I will attend as a friend and helper so their Christmas celebration can be as good as they want it.

Even if one of them invited me to church I would go there with them. Christmas to me is not about Christ, but about being there as a fellow human being, and a friend.

Tolerance for others are important and respecting their traditions even I my self no longer take part in them the way they do is just showing respect for others.

We don't do Christmas although we have given it a try for tne kids. We have also put on several othere mid winter festivals over the years. The children have made their decisions, for the last 4 years we have done a saturnalia themes mid winter break. Their decision was made for no other mercenary reason than they get more presents.

 

[Vinayaka]

We don't do Christmas here. But for those who do, enjoy.

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

Christmas never has been a religious thing for me.
It's more about spending quality time with family.

 

[sun rise]

I presume that there will be a Christmas meal for people to either eat in a group or take home, depending on the weather and preferences.

As to the day itself, partly I'll note the pagan origin of the winter solstice symbolizing the end of encroaching darkness and the gradual return of light. And I'll note that Avatar Jesus was one manifestation of that Divine Light.

 

[Lain]

In Norway I get asked this a lot these days and don't get me wrong, it is a very nice question

Being Sufi does not mean people stop inviting you to their Christmas parties and it does not mean I can't attend their celebration. I just have to bring my own vegetarian food, what we drink? No alcohol in the parties I chose to attend so some kind of beverage that is ok for me to drink.

I am not there for the Christian message of what Christmas are for many people, but I will attend as a friend and helper so their Christmas celebration can be as good as they want it.

Even if one of them invited me to church I would go there with them. Christmas to me is not about Christ, but about being there as a fellow human being, and a friend.

Tolerance for others are important and respecting their traditions even I my self no longer take part in them the way they do is just showing respect for others.

I will likely eat good food I make for myself and go to Mass, although I detest the Christmas Mass. It has so many people who show up who you've never seen at the parish before, the large crowd stresses me out. I'll try to go to the earliest one in the morning to avoid it.

 

[pearl]

I will likely eat good food I make for myself and go to Mass, although I detest the Christmas Mass. It's so many people who show up who you've never seen at the parish before, the large crowd stresses me out. I'll try to go to the earliest one in the morning to avoid it.

I used to love the Midnight Mass when it was actually celebrated at midnight, now its earlier (7:30) due to party goers who thought Mass was an extension of the party.

 

[JustGeorge]

I have celebrated Christmas my whole life and never once associated it with anything religious, despite there being a lot of songs etc that are religious. And as you say, going to these things such as church or attending Christmas, doesn't mean that you worship or even celebrate that religion. Also I think God would be able of knowing if you were, but doubt that he cares that you have a bit of fun with some friends or family.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if Muslims held some sort of celebration as well that day, just not Christmas, but more just a party or family gathering, simply to be part of the good mood and fun that it can bring. And if they don't they ought to

I have heard it reflected that while Muslims don't traditionally observe Christmas, there isn't anything really preventing them from doing so. After all, they do honor Isa(Jesus), and celebrating his birth doesn't necessarily mean that by doing so the Muslim agrees that he is the son of God, so why not?

 

[Spirit of Light]

I have heard it reflected that while Muslims don't traditionally observe Christmas, there isn't anything really preventing them from doing so. After all, they do honor Isa(Jesus), and celebrating his birth doesn't necessarily mean that by doing so the Muslim agrees that he is the son of God, so why not?

Taking part in a dinner and some cake eating can not be seen as worship of a "wrong" God