Christmas is supposed to be a time of gifts, family, fun, food, and Santa Claus. Several centuries ago, the Catholic Church saw how much fun people were having during their end of the year celebrations (they didn’t call it Christmas back then) and decided that they would rain on the parade by saying that this time of the year was when we would solemnly celebrate the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, most people agree that Jesus was probably born in April or May. That is one reason I do not subscribe to the religious aspect of Christmas. I don’t like bullies.

Everyone who goes around chastising others by saying that “Jesus is the reason for the season” is completely wrong. The only thing the Jesus aspect of Christmas has added is the nativity scene. Everything that people enjoy about Christmas has nothing to do with religion, which is the way things should be. Religion has a way of convoluting everything, even something as wonderful as the end of the year celebration.

I call it Christmas because that is how I was raised. But I celebrate none of the religious aspects of the holiday. Why? Because they are boring, and nothing about this holiday is supposed to be boring. I could call it Festivus, but then I would be trendy and yadda yadda yadda.

People complain that Christmas is too commercialized. Those are usually the people who simply love to complain, or have no idea what they are talking about. Giving gifts at this time of the year has been going on for centuries. Do you guys honestly think that Walmart invented the idea of selling gifts for this time of the year?

Before the church called this time of the year Christmas, people would exchange gifts with their friends and family members for days. They would go from house to house singing songs, eating food, and having a great time. I can see why the church would want to put a stop to it.

I guess that, as I get older, my negative reaction to religion gets stronger. If you think that Jesus is the reason for celebrating this time of the year, then that is fine. But religious people have this tendency to try and shove what they believe down people’s throats, and that I cannot abide. You will never get me to treat Christmas as a religious holiday, so stop trying with all of your might.

If I told you that you could keep the decorations, gifts, Santa Claus, cookies, food, most of the songs, the movies, and the family memories that occur this time of the year, you would be fine with that, right? If I told you that you had to get rid of your manger scene, you would probably be okay with that too. But if it were the other way around, as religion wants us to do, then everyone would have a fit.

The pagan aspects of Christmas were too popular and too strong to go away. When the church decided to take over December 25, it tried to do away with all of the fun stuff. But the people had no intention of getting rid of the fun stuff, so the church had to settle with Jesus taking a co-starring role with Santa Claus.

People who complain about Christmas often have nothing better to do. It is the most incredible time of the year when whole cities get together, families see each other for the first time in months, and everyone has a great time. There is a feeling in the air of happiness that you do not feel the rest of the year. If that is something you honestly do not like, then don’t talk to me. If it really bothers you that much that some radio stations play Christmas music before Thanksgiving or the stores have their Christmas displays up before Halloween, then you must have nothing but free time on your hands.

Really? A song about this wonderful time of the year is that offensive to you? Some decorations for sale in your local department store concern you that much? Why? Because Christmas is getting too commercial? This time of the year is supposed to be commercial. Stop thinking like a religious fuddy-duddy and think like a human being who wants to enjoy life.

All I saw on social media this season was people bitching about Christmas. So, to me, saying Merry Christmas to you guys is almost a waste of time. But for the people who do enjoy the holiday and the people who do find this time of the year to be as wonderful as I do, Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may you have an awesome holiday.

+George N Root III is a Lockport resident and staunch supporter of Christmas. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3 or send him a message at georgenroot3@gmail.com.

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