Celebrating Christmas as a Pagan may get you an odd sideways glance at times. Positively embracing it, being excited about it, and planning for it may turn that glance into a full-on stare! Yet when we examine the roots of Christmas, it really isn't far fetched for someone with a Pagan spirituality to be celebrating it at all... From the Roman feasts and festivities of Saturnalia, to North American and European Winter Solstice traditions, to the modern day Christian take on this holy day, spiritual observation and celebratory gatherings specific to this time of year have spanned the globe and all of her various cultures since time immemorial.
Christmas has always been a very special time in our family, although we never celebrated it in a religious context. It was simply a time to share good cheer, festive spirit, and share in the bounty of a well-prepared feast while gathered with family and friends. In that sense, it has always been very much about bringing warmth and light to a long, cold, northern night. Being of Scandinavian and Sicilian heritage, we celebrated on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which is something I have always felt remarkably blessed for - why end a good time earlier than necessary? Having it start on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, and continue the next morning into that night always felt just about right to me.
Magick is all about making something your own, including Christmas.
On the other hand, even if I didn't have such an excellent introduction into celebrating the season in a non-secular manner, I would still want to participate in the traditions and gatherings that happen on December 24th and 25th of each year, much the same way that I enjoy taking part in Nowruz, or Diwali... I may not be of Persian or Indian heritage, but I can appreciate and welcome the customs of those cultural observations and celebrations into my own life in a manner which is respectful both to their roots, and to my own. The current trend of labelling such practice as "appropriation" aside, being welcomed into learning about and participating in these occasions with friends of differing ethnicities serves as a continuation in my education as a member of this species, and as such, is something I am very thankful, respectful, and appreciative towards.
Life is meant to be celebrated, and joy is meant to be shared!
My bottom line is that life is meant to be celebrated - we are here to experience as much joy as is possible in any given moment. Sharing the observances and celebrations of holy days that are outside of one's cultural or spiritual practice yet align with the heart is not only natural, but from what I have experienced, welcome.
However you choose to celebrate the season - or whether you decide to give it a pass entirely - I wish you the brightest of blessings and the merriest of gatherings... May your heart be filled with love, your soul with peace, and your life be lightened with laughter... Merry Pagan Christmas to you!
However you choose to celebrate the season - or whether you decide to give it a pass entirely - I wish you the brightest of blessings and the merriest of gatherings... May your heart be filled with love, your soul with peace, and your life be lightened with laughter... Merry Pagan Christmas to you!