Non-Christians Celebrate Christmas Too!
Christmas - It's not just for Christians anymore!
Going through today's cycle of online reading, we discovered that non-Christians, both religious and a-religious, celebrate Christmas, at least in England. By non-Christians, we specifically include Muslims and Hindus.
The TimesOnline published an article revealing how certain non-Christian families are observing Christmas in England. Among the most surprising was the Muslim family.
"We do the works for Christmas dinner. ... We have mince pies but no brandy butter because drink is forbidden for Muslims, so it's a dry Christmas. ... When we were young we decorated the house for Christmas, but as we've got older they've gone up earlier, to coincide with Eid ul-Fitr..."
Equally interesting were the comments, wherein we heard from an atheist who enjoys "belting out carols" and finds "midnight mass quaintly endearing." A humanist from Portland, Oregon took the TimesOnline to task for faiing to ask a Humanist family about how they celebrate Christmas. Unfortunately, said Humanist failed to desribe his keeping or non-keeping of Christmas. Personally, if you're going to take the time to complain, then take the time to provide the information.
There were those in somewhat opposition to the article, including a Christian mentioning that he celebrates a different Christmas than "the secular 'tinsel and turkey' Christmas." Another person of the Jewish faith made clear that he and a good many Jews don't celebrate Christmas in any fashion. No gifts, no turkey, nothing.
Related Posts:
Baptists Don't Celebrate Christmas
Baptists Observing Advent
Evangelical Christians Adopting Advent
Source: How different faiths embrace Christmas
Going through today's cycle of online reading, we discovered that non-Christians, both religious and a-religious, celebrate Christmas, at least in England. By non-Christians, we specifically include Muslims and Hindus.
The TimesOnline published an article revealing how certain non-Christian families are observing Christmas in England. Among the most surprising was the Muslim family.
"We do the works for Christmas dinner. ... We have mince pies but no brandy butter because drink is forbidden for Muslims, so it's a dry Christmas. ... When we were young we decorated the house for Christmas, but as we've got older they've gone up earlier, to coincide with Eid ul-Fitr..."
Equally interesting were the comments, wherein we heard from an atheist who enjoys "belting out carols" and finds "midnight mass quaintly endearing." A humanist from Portland, Oregon took the TimesOnline to task for faiing to ask a Humanist family about how they celebrate Christmas. Unfortunately, said Humanist failed to desribe his keeping or non-keeping of Christmas. Personally, if you're going to take the time to complain, then take the time to provide the information.
There were those in somewhat opposition to the article, including a Christian mentioning that he celebrates a different Christmas than "the secular 'tinsel and turkey' Christmas." Another person of the Jewish faith made clear that he and a good many Jews don't celebrate Christmas in any fashion. No gifts, no turkey, nothing.
Related Posts:
Baptists Don't Celebrate Christmas
Baptists Observing Advent
Evangelical Christians Adopting Advent
Source: How different faiths embrace Christmas
3 Comments:
I like the information given here, but I agree withthe Christian who said "he celebrates a different Christmas than "the secular 'tinsel and turkey' Christmas."
I was some what disapointed by your post, I think if you're going to post on a topic such as this you should state your feelings on it.
Can you honestly say that someone who just likes singing Christmas carols once a year is celebrating Christmas?
What do you think??
Greetings, Rita!
>"I was some what disapointed by your post, I think if you're going to post on a topic such as this you should state your feelings on it."
You are absolutely right. I generally am disappointed when others fail to do the same. My apologies. Thank you for taking me to task.
>"Can you honestly say that someone who just likes singing Christmas carols once a year is celebrating Christmas?"
Yes, I honestly believe that an atheist singing Christmas carols once a year is celebrating Christmas. Would it be better if said atheist, or others, were practicing the Christian faith and doing more to live that faith than sing carols. Absolutely.
I believe it boils down to grace. God's grace is freely given to us, yet many of us are limited in the amount of grace that we can hold. Some of us can contain a full measure of grace and we often see those people as pious people. Perhaps this is why you and other Christians "celebrate a different Christmas than the secular 'tinsel and turkey' Christmas."
Others of us can only contain a half measure of grace. And there are some of God's children who can contain only a few drops of grace. I suspect that our atheist friend may be in that last category. God in His infinite mercy has provided him sufficient grace for "belting out carols" and to find "midnight mass quaintly endearing." How wonderous is that?
Its not always easy seeing Christ in others, especially atheists, Muslims, and Hindus. Yet, they are children of God with immortal souls made in His image and God has a perfect plan of salvation for each of them.
Therefore, Christian charity compels me to encourage our "atheist" friend to continue belting out carols and attending midnight mass. Perhaps they will have an epiphany and come to know our Lord better and desire to become closer to our Lord. A few drops of God's grace is quite powerful.
Merry Christmas... +Timothy
"Perhaps they will have an epiphany and come to know our Lord better and desire to become closer to our Lord. A few drops of God's grace is quite powerful."
That would be truely wonderful, and I will pray that more people have the opportunity to experience that amazing gift.
I know so many people who focus too hard on the gifts, decorations, food, and parties and the thought of Christ never seems to enter their minds.
I guess all we can really do is pray for them.
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