Merry Christmas or happy Thursday

I don't celebrate Christmas. This shouldn't be a huge surprise since I am not Christian, but I always seem to have to explain it. Jews don't ask me why I'm not celebrating Hanukkah, as the reason is obvious. I'm not Jewish. Muslims don't ask me why I'm not observing Ramadan, as the reason is obvious. I'm not Muslim. Christians ask me all the time why I don't celebrate Christmas. If I were Jewish or Muslim, perhaps I wouldn't get these questions. I don't know.  I've generally had time off at Christmas, so I spent it with my family, and that's the only reason this time is special for me at all. It has nothing to do with Christmas, per se. I have nothing against the holiday. Christians are celebrating the birth of the person they view as their savior. I get it. Have fun. I think it's a bit excessive to claim the entire month of December, but I'm not greatly inconvenienced by it either. 

Some non-Christians celebrate Christmas. Many non-Irish celebrate St. Patrick's Day, too. That's cool. Have fun. I'll participate in the festivities sometimes, and I might even sing carols with no mention of reverence to a magic baby, too, but it's just because there's no reason to be a party pooper.  The UK has a national church, so I understand how their national identity is kind of tied up in Christmas a bit. The USA has no official national church anymore than it has an official race. Having more white people than any other doesn't make it the official race, and having more Christians also doesn't make it the official religion. So, I don't see Christmas as an American holiday. Some people do, which is fine. I just disagree there. 

Businesses surely benefit from having everyone assume they must buy presents and cards for everyone they know or briefly knew, but that brings up another issue. Gifts and cards have become an odd expectation. It should be a pleasant surprise if you receive a gift, not an insult if you don't receive one. Ditto with cards. When students get me cards, I think it is thoughtful and generous. When I receive one from a friend I haven't heard from all year, and all it says is what was printed on it plus a signature, I think that was a waste of purchase price and postage. Send me an email. Less money and more actual thought. Besides, I'm not Christian. I won't hold it against you if I receive no Christmas cards. 

Again, I have nothing against Christmas. The food and music can be fun, but if and when I take part in the festivities, it is as a tourist, like watching hurling when I'm at a pub in Ireland. The Irish don't ask me why I don't watch that goofy sport at home, though. They just buy me a beer and teach me the words to the songs when I'm there. 

Have a very Merry Christmas. Or just a good Thursday. I'll be exploring Germany some more.