Thursday, November 30, 2006

no gifts?

What if Christmas (or Chanakah, Kwanzaa, etc.) didn't require giving gifts? Would it still feel the same?

We celebrate the spirit of giving on Christmas, not Christ's birth. We give each other gifts on that day. We celebrate the rebirth of the Sun/Son on the Winter Solstice. Gifts are not part of it, at least in our group. Other pagans might exchange gifts on the Solstice but it isn't traditional for us. The Solstice would be the same for me because it never has required giving gifts. But Christmas would not really have any point for me if the giving wasn't part of it.

5 comments:

loonyhiker said...

Very nice thoughts! Thanks for sharing.

Glynis said...

I'd never really looked at it that way...thanks for a different perspective.

Meg said...

What a great way for you to allow your kids to celebrate Christmas, but also celebrate your own religion! Very cool!

Anonymous said...

Excellent ecumenical approach.

carin.c said...

The spirit of giving is probably a common thread for all.