Christmas Time for an Atheist.

It is Christmas Day, and I am at work. By choice, I volunteered. So, I'm going to write about Christmas and me (my favorite thing to write about!).

Now, everyone knows that I'm an Atheist, and they are probably sick of me constantly talking about it. I don't care. I really don't. But I would like to clear a few things up about Christmas time.

My being an Atheist has nothing to do with why I do not like celebrating Christmas, nor does my not celebrating mean I hate Christmas. In fact, I love Christmas time. Everyone is a little be happier and children smile a little more. The songs are so cheery and catchy. The weather is perfect. It's awesome! I love it! The family time, the food, the music, the weather, the smells, etc. It is a great time of year. I just don't like feeling like I have to celebrate today, when I celebrate every single day of my life. Being forced to make today extra special, to me, is like saying the rest of the year doesn't mean anything at all. As if all of the time I have cherished with my loved ones means nothing compared to Christmas Day.

Bullshit.

So I don't believe in Santa, in buying or receiving gifts (not that I don't enjoy these things, I'd just rather it happen on random days when it isn't expected), or making today more important than any other day of the year. I definitely don't believe Jesus was ever even a real person, let alone a magic baby that was born on this day 2000 years ago.

^^^
See that last paragraph? Pretty small, eh? Well I don't believe any of those three things have much to do with Christmas time at all. Even the super religious aren't thinking about God or Santa when they are gathered around the television after a big meal, laughing and sharing stories, while posing awkwardly for family photos. They are just thinking about how happy they are to be with the ones they love, having a good time. Listening to cheesy Christmas songs and smiling with people you love, or even at the stranger you're passing down the street. THAT is what Christmas time is really about. All of that other bullshit is exactly that. BULLSHIT.

So, please, remember this if you are not an Atheist: Christmas is not just for the religious, or young at heart. It is for everyone that loves life and spending time with awesome people.

I do wish that I could be at home with my wife and son right now, but I wish that every single day of the year that I am not with them. Today is no different.

Merry Christmas everyone!