As a kid, I thought that celebrating Christmas was just a Christian thing. But, as I've begun seeing, it's really not. I have Jewish friends who celebrate Christmas and know tons of atheists who love the holiday. So, that made me ponder what Christmas actually is.
It's really a Pagan holiday, with its roots in trying to create celebration during the dreariest days of the year. But, that's not how Christians tend to view it. Taking it over as the day of Jesus's birth, despite the fact that he was likely born in late spring, Christians see Christmas as a day of celebrating the new king, the savior who would save us all. But I know so many Christians who don't care much for the biblical part of the holiday, only its Pagan traditions.
So that brings me back to the philosophical question that Cindy Lou Who wants to know in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," what is the meaning of Christmas? As a Catholic, who dislikes when people are religious, it's a hard question. Every year I try something new, being very religious or very secular. And, I have to say, it feels the most like Christmas when I listen to non-religious carols, bake cookies, and overload my house with Christmas decorations. I guess that's what we Christians get for piggybacking off of a holiday known for its extravagant fun.