Ever got asked by a Christian, “do you celebrate Christmas?”. I have, frequently. I find it particularly funny, especially when they do this in public forums and the like; I bet they think they are about to make the most clever and novel statement ever as they get ready to pwn us atheists, because we do celebrate the season. Why wouldn’t we?
Oh, Christians get quite testy, and call us ‘ignorant’ when we go through the explanation of the astronomical event called Winter Solstice, (because an astronomical event is what it is), and we mention how Christianity stole the pagan celebration of the the midwinter, that was the last feast celebration before deep winter began. Google it, it’s an interesting read.
I really like Christmas, only — I call it Giftmas.
Many atheists in the blogosphere have come up with witty ways to celebrate a secular Christmas, but I don’t think we do anything exceptionally different. We get time off to spend with our loved ones, we exchange presents, we eat yummy treats, the decorations, the eggnog… what’s not to like about Giftmas, the carols? Please, don’t say ‘Christians’, they are not much different during the season than they are all year-round; and we, well, we get to practice our tolerance. *giggles*
Tim Minchin sums it up quite nicely in this very moving, sentimental song. Yes, my friends, I really like Giftmas…
Enjoy.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q&feature=youtu.be]
Lyrics:
I really like Christmas
It’s sentimental, I know, but I just really like it
I am hardly religious
I’d rather break bread with Dawkins than Desmond Tutu, to be honest
And yes, I have all of the usual objections
To consumerism, the commercialisation of an ancient religion
To the westernisation of a dead Palestinian
Press-ganged into selling Playstations and beer
But I still really like it
I’m looking forward to Christmas
Though I’m not expecting a visit from Jesus
I’ll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun
I’ll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun
I don’t go in for ancient wisdom
I don’t believe just ‘cos ideas are tenacious it means they are worthy
I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics are spooky
And yes I have all of the usual objections
To the miseducation of children who, in tax-exempt institutions,
Are taught to externalise blame
And to feel ashamed and to judge things as plain right and wrong
But I quite like the songs
I’m not expecting big presents
The old combination of socks, jocks and chocolate is just fine by me
Cos I’ll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun
I’ll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They’ll be drinking white wine in the sun
And you, my baby girl
My jetlagged infant daughter
You’ll be handed round the room
Like a puppy at a primary school
And you won’t understand
But you will learn someday
That wherever you are and whatever you face
These are the people who’ll make you feel safe in this world
My sweet blue-eyed girl
And if, my baby girl
When you’re twenty-one or thirty-one
And Christmas comes around
And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home
You’ll know what ever comes
Your brother and sisters and me and your Mum
Will be waiting for you in the sun
Whenever you come
Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles
Your grandparents, cousins and me and your mum
We’ll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun
Darling, when Christmas comes
We’ll be waiting for you in the sun
Drinking white wine in the sun
Waiting for you in the sun
Waiting for you…
Waiting…
I really like Christmas
It’s sentimental, I know…
