Christmas... It's many different things to many different people.
For some, it's the serious christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus.
For some, it's the somewhat semi religious holiday... Those that are kinda religious but really don't live it... But celebrate Christmas, the holiday.
For some, it's a festive holiday to share with family & friends... but celebrating solely as a festive holiday not spiritually connected to the christian religion.
For some, its nothing all all... Religious or otherwise.
Like with everything with, different perspectives & beliefs defines all people in different societies, different religions, and different cultures, from all different walks of life. That's the beauty of most modern societies... The freedom to live your life as to your own preferences.
So... Why are there social division issues? Generally when the beliefs of any one group is not happy to simply live their lives, but seeks to control others, imposingly their beliefs upon others, if not everyone, that doesn't believe as they do.
So where did the celebration date of Christmas come from. It depends on what you read, and its source. No doubt each source writes from their own interpretation based on their own perspective. So every source is subjective... so take from it what you will.
According to sources, the bible gives no clear date or time of year that Jesus was actually born. As Christianity spread across Europe there was many societies & countries that celebrated the winter solstice. The time when the amount of sun light each day starts to increase. The sun is reborn to start the progression to longer warmer days. As sources say, the Christians in later centuries decided to adopt the winter solstice , and its widespread popularity among pagan cultures, and choice to celebrate "Christmas", the celebration the birth of Jesus, at this time. Why? Not only was the winter solstice widely popular, important, and celebrated, but many aspects of christian society saw the benefits of the winter solstice.... and its massive popularity and importance. What better way to piggy back the newly developed "Christmas" celebration, than to couple it with the pagan winter solstice celebration. But that's just one perspective... take from it what you will... depending on your perspective.
Here's some articles that make interesting reading.
Talk to any side of this issue for a their perspective. Count on one thing, you probably won't encounter many with an open mind. Most have their perspective... end if discussion. Never shall those of different minds meet. So goes today's society. But it would all be so easy if everyone could simply live and let live. But that's never gonna happen. Most people can not even agree to disagree.
As for me... take from it what you will. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, to New Years... and all other cultural celebrations... It's a festive time to enjoy family & friends and celebrate love & happiness... and perhaps be a bit more kinder and understanding of others.
Somehow... growing up... I was taught that you needed to be religious to have morals. Otherwise you were a bad person. There's lots of good people that despite having no religious conviction that are good people with good morals and high standards... that treat others with respect and dignity.. and don't seek to impose their beliefs upon others. Hey... live & let live.
Hoping everyone enjoys their holidays... Be happy and safe.
