Christmas Is and Always Has Been a Secular Holiday for Everyone

Christmas is often associated with Christianity however, it is actually a fusion of ancient celebrations, Christian theology, and modern commercialism, evolving over centuries to become the widely celebrated secular holiday it is today.

While a few Christians want to claim the day as their own religious day and get upset when others celebrate secularly, the truth is, the majority of people, including the majority of Christians, actually celebrate all the secular traditions that are part of our culture. And that's ok. Our culture and the community we are part of, has created the current secular traditions that make Christmas what it is today, a secular celebration for all. 

The truth is, Christmas has never been just about Jesus and Christianity. The date might have been set by the Christian leader of the day, but the holiday was chosen to piggyback off of the existing and very popular solstice celebrations and the people of the world have added customs and fun secular traditions that are what really make the day a global phenomenon.

Origins of Christmas

Long before Christmas was celebrated, various ancient cultures held midwinter festivals, the most famous of these festivals was Saturnalia and Yule. Many customs of both persist in today’s Christmas celebrations.

By the 4th century, early Christians decided to observe December 25 as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ likely in an effort to Christianize current celebrations and create a festival for the birth of Christ that coincided with the end of the solstice festivities.

Even in the days when Christmas was first observed, Christians would go to church and then participate in the pagan celebrations of their community afterward. 

Christmas becomes more Religious

During the Middle Ages, Christmas became more religious. A midnight Christmas Eve mass and Nativities became popular. At the same time, many older pagan traditions were maintained or reinterpreted, such as wassailing (singing carols), feasts, and "misrule" became associated with Christmas. Christmas celebrations extended over 12 days, from December 25 to January 6 (Epiphany), with revelry, games, and feasts taking place throughout this period. 

Puritans Cancel Christmas

In the 17th century, Puritans rejected the celebration of Christmas since it included secular celebrations they believed did not represent their religion. Christmas was cancelled by the Christian Puritans and they also outlawed it in early America in the mid-1600s. 

However, in places like New York, the Dutch kept the celebration of Sinterklaas, which partly evolved to Santa Clause we know today. 

Christmas becomes more Secular

It wasn't until the early 19th century when Christmas started to regain popularity in America, thanks in part to the influence of European immigrants bringing British traditions and authors and creators such as Charles Dickens who rebranded Christmas with new traditions. 

From there, books, movies and eventually the internet, helped to build on the traditions that we celebrate today. 

Christmas in Modern Times

Today, Christmas is celebrated around the world, both as a religious holiday and as a secular festival. For many, it has become more of a secular cultural event, where family gatherings, feasts, and gift exchanges take precedence over religious observance.

The modern celebrations includes bright and festive decorations, like Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, and ornaments, all originating from secular sources. These are now commonplace not just in homes, but in public spaces, shopping malls, and city streets.

The figure of Santa Claus, delivering gifts to children worldwide, remains one of the most recognized symbols of Christmas. His role has expanded globally with the concept of a gift-giving figure during this time of year.

Beyond religious services, families today celebrate Christmas with feasts, gift exchanges, watching classic holiday movies, and baking festive treats. There’s also a strong emphasis on giving back, with many engaging in acts of charity or donating to causes during the holiday season.

Christmas is Secular

People across the globe have adopted Christmas as a time to celebrate with family, friends and community as a popular secular celebration. 

As an atheist, I have always respected the Christian part of the holiday. Afterall, the story of Christ portrays a man of pure love and hope for humanity. With my family, we choose to celebrate that spirit of love along with the cultural influenced traditions as well as our own traditions. 

Like the majority of people who celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the secular aspects of the holiday and put up a tree, lights, buy each other gifts to show love and appreciation to each other, sing songs and listen to Christmas music and enjoy feasts and lots of great food. And yes, as an atheist, I love Christmas music! 

Let's all get along this Christmas. The day doesn't belong to any one group nor does any one group get to determine how we celebrate it. We can say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. People can go to church and celebrate Christ or  choose not to include religion. We can celebrate the winter solstice or Yule. We can believe in Santa Claus or not. Or we can choose not to celebrate at all. 

In today's modern world, Christmas is a holiday for everyone to observe (or not observe) their own way. The world's cultures have created the Christmas we celebrate today. We all celebrate the secular traditions and fun stuff that goes with the day. We all want to celebrate with family and friends in the spirit of giving and love. But we all don't want to make Jesus the reason for the season. If you do, that's fine. You do you. And let the majority of us celebrate in our own way. 

For me, its with family, peace, giving, kindness and uniting with loved ones. I started traditions with my kids when they were growing up that taught them about giving more than recieving. And while we do not add Jesus or Christianity to our day, we celebrate both our own traditions mixed with traditional secular traditions to create lasting joyous memories.

I love the holiday season as I see it as a magical time when most of the world celebrates in unity with magical light displays, festive events, and special time spent with loved ones. As a non-christian, I will continue to enjoy Christmas and the holiday season as a secular time that is beautiful and meant for all to enjoy. 

Happy Holidays! 

Learn more: How Christmas has been Celebrated Across History