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Mathew, I would urge you to go back and reread the entire thread. Most of what is considered "celebrating Christmas" has little to do with Christ or the celebration of his birth. That is why many Christians opt out. Trees, holly, mistletoe, gift giving, days off work, shopping, feasting...

Most of the things we do at Christmas time are not religious, they are cultural. Cultural: trees gifts cards lights decorating shopping caroling Santa, elves, reindeer the Nutcracker mistletoe parties dressing up holly, wreathes cooking special food having time off work snowmen Religious...

Personally, I love the trappings. I love the music, the food, the holly, the presents, the lights, the family get-togethers, the parties, etc. It all brings joy. I think one of my favorite carols, an English traditional one called "The Holly and the Ivy" may pre-date Christianity.

The early church made a choice to schedule Christian holidays on the same dates as pagan holidays, as part of the conversion of the masses. It kept familiar rituals and times with what was then a new religion. This is a point of fact. What we consider a modern American Christmas is cultural...