As I'm sure many of you are experiencing, my family is celebrating a rather strict version of Christmas. Blasphemous or not, (there was a Stumble site that dealt with Christ Mass, etc, can't remember the name,) the truth is this cold season BEGS us to become close. So, be family even if we aren't. Being so very close to my family, even as an Atheist I shall call this Christmas. It's just a word? Yup. Exactly, but it explains my winter. I may not celebrate Christmas religiously, but the cold of winter (at least here in 7" Oregon (!! YAY !!)) is enough for each of us to wish a close friend.

As it is ~28 F right now, I look outside to the sparkle of the lights and the glow of candles around our gifts. As atheists, should we not only ignore but actually dismiss this December holidays? I love my family deeply, and a Christmas tree (or Holiday Tree, or whatever you wish to call it,) is one of the ways we decorate.

Although I will not alter my comforting traditions, what are your ideas on this? As an atheist, such as myself, do you think we should appreciate a winters holiday?

-Benji