Christmas

I believe in Christmas.
I am in no way, shape or form Christian, but for me, Christmas has moved past the traditional celebration of Christ. I know there are Christians who resent this view, and I don't mean to offend.
For me, Christmas isn't about religion. It's about family, and giving, and light, and snow, and winter, and home—and Santa Claus, of course. It's about finding someone the perfect gift, and not using wishlists. It's about *92.9 on the radio—Jose Feliciano and Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee filling the air. It's about wishing and hoping for snow days—or for snow at all, this year.
I find it such a hopeful holiday, celebratory and joyful, and whenever the season comes around I find myself humming those Christmas songs, and anticipating that Christmas day. There's a feeling I get when I see the soft snow floating down from my window, and the heat is up high, and I can smell hot chocolate in the air...a feeling I can't name. And when we bring home that big, green tree and set it up in our living room, when we hang decade old ornaments on it, and twist rainbow lights around it, the whole house seems special.
My parents discourage celebrating Christmas. My mom says she only puts the tree up because she thinks it's pretty, and tells us not to buy her gifts. She asks me if I am a Christian, asks me if I'd like to go to church. When I try to explain to her that Christmas has evolved past Jesus, she tells me Christmas can never be about anything besides religion.
She thinks what I like are the gifts--but I like to think I'm deeper than that. Sure, the gifts are great. Who doesn't like getting presents? At my birthday, I am all about the gifts. But at Christmas, I'm more about giving the gifts. And all the things I mentioned earlier.
So no, I am not a Christian. I am not celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. But I do, and always will celebrate Christmas, because it makes me happy.
And isn't that enough?

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