The holiday season is upon us; Christmas lights on every street, snow in the forecast, presents being crossed off the list, smell of pine in the air, great food in the ovens.
Now, doesn't it suck to be an atheist? What can I say to you? I can't wish you a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or any of that. You believe in nothing. I might as well wish you a splendid four months of freezing cold and snow. If you claim to be an atheist and yet still celebrate Christmas with the rest of your non-atheist family and friends, that is even worse. Don't be a liar on top of it all. Don't forget the reason for the season. The reason for Christmas is to celebrate Jesus' life and what he gave up for us to live and for us to be forgiven so that we may one day join him in heaven instead of being damned to hell after the first sin we commit.
So, if you don't believe in him, don't hum along to any Christmas carols while in the shopping malls or restaurants. Don't exchange presents with your friends and family that represent the gifts God has given us. Don't eat the Shepherd's candy canes. Don't place a star atop your Christmas tree to represent the star of Bethlehem. Don't be a hypocrite. Believe what you believe.
We so easily get wrapped up in the commercialism of this holiday season, that we forget the original reason. We forget to give thanks. We forget what the season is all about and who it is all about. Even though Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, this is the day we choose to celebrate it. Why do we limit it to one day out of the whole year? Why don't we celebrate him year-round?
You don't need to go to church every Sunday to have a relationship with God, but going twice a year on Christmas and Easter, will not get you into heaven. You can have a great relationship with God without ever stepping foot into a church. It is all up to you and where you put your priorities. Only you know with whom your faith lays.
If you are of another faith, I am not trying to shove my religion down your throat. Honestly, you could've stopped reading this blog entry a few paragraphs ago had you wanted to. Everyone must decide with their own heart what religion to follow, if any at all. God didn't send Jesus to Earth for us to have a religion to follow. He sent him to give us a free pass and an open relationship to God whenever we want or need him. Whatever your belief is, follow it! If you haven't figured out what you believe yet, look to those who have strong faith and look inside yourself to decide. Nobody can decide for you. I believe it is better to believe in something than nothing, even if you decide for yourself that you believe something different than I do.
I offer you this, a merry, merry Christmas. I do not wish you to have a lovely blizzard-season, or a food-induced hibernation. I wish you to have a happy, healthy, and truly blessed Christmas with you and your family. Happy Holidays!
xoxo
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