What kind of responses to you get when you tell ppl you don't celebrate Christmas?

[Barefoot~Baker]

I am always a little nervous when I tell people that we don't celebrate Christmas (we're Christians btw). It's been 6 years now and I still get nervous. I just find it awkward.

We allow the kids participate in the school Christmas activities. They go to Christian schools, and most of the families sending their children there are Christian.

Well a few days ago my dd had her preschool Christmas program. I was waiting for it to start with the other families, and my older dd, who was already on Christmas break, was with me. We were chatting to the grandmother of one of the preschool students, she had her baby granddaughter and I had my baby with me, and it was all very pleasant. Until....

Just a simple question. She asked me if we were ready for Christmas. I said something like "oh, we don't celebrate it at home", she had a look of confusion (completely normal and expected), so I said "we're Christians, and we let the kids do the school Christmas activities but for various reasons we don't celebrate it at home". Her face turned to a look of disgust. She looked away. There was an awkward silence, and I just got up and walked away to chat to someone else.

This has been on my mind a lot, I'd thought of posting about it, then I'd think I'd just forget it, but I haven't.

I don't really know why this incident has affected me so much. I suppose I feel really strongly about our decision not to celebrate Christmas, a decision that I know was led by the Lord. Maybe this is a case of being persecuted for Christ?

If any of you mama's don't celebrate Christmas, what kind of response to people give you? Does it ever bother you? How do you handle it?

[Fruitful4Him]

Yes, it does bother me...I feel very...um... judged by other Christians. People who embrace other beliefs seem to be more tolerant...live and let live, but Christians are the worst as far as respect and tolerence are concerned, in my experience. Like, somehow we are *less than* for our decision. Like..we are discieved or misguided or...whatever. It is very difficult for me...b/c the decision was made about a decade ago, and quite frankly, this time of year just disgusts me. It is what it is. I have a friend or two IRL and online who understand...but otherwise, I feel like it is just a time of year that couldn't pass quickly enough for my liking.

[philomom]

In the South, I always felt judged. Here in the Northwest, I get a moment's confusion and they generally wish me a merry xmas anyway.

[christianmomof3]

My situation is a bit different because I was raised Jewish and am now a born again Christian. I just tell people that we don't celebrate Christmas, but we celebrate Chanukkah with my family which is true. I do find it a bit awkward when people ask me if I am ready for Christmas or if my tree is up - it seems that co-workers and even sometimes strangers would ask that. I would reply "yes" to the if I am ready question - because what is there to be ready for when we don't do anything about it, and I just said "no" about the tree. I don't try to explain it.
I am sorry that lady was rude to you.

[HisBeautifulWife]

I was just coming to post about this.

This is the first year I've actually had to say that we don't celebrate it anymore and it's been rough.

I've been called all types of names and had terrible things said about me. This is from family, I haven't even said anything to friends. But the reactions have been:

-You are an atheist
-You are stupid
-Your kids will be deprived and hate you
-You are selfish

And all sorts of things that I cannot post. This is just from telling our decision so they'd know why we weren't participating. It's not like I judged them for celebrating or tried to convince them not to. So it was very hurtful and a lot of relationships have been damaged.

But I've kept Matthew 5:11 in my mind.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Yes this is a case of being looked down upon for the Lord because the world loves Christmas. The reactions I've gotten have just further inspired me not to celebrate it because I can see the spirit behind it all. So actually they made this very tough decision a lot easier for me. I am thankful because I asked the Lord to help get rid of my desires to participate in this holiday.

I'm glad it's all over but I know it's not done yet because there are a lot of people who still don't know and I know next year I'll be getting tons of questions thrown at me. I'll just handle it the best way I can.

[hotmamacita]

Hi.

I just wanted each of you to know that when I have learned that Christian friends do not celebrate Christmas, I have been very considerate and respectful in person and behind their backs. I trust their relationships with God as being very personal and very unique as mine is.

I have, however, received similar judgment from some Christians when they learn we 'do' Santa. I have been told I am less spiritual, my children will grow up and hate us, and that we are liars, etc. While we are operating out of our freedom in Christ, I know this situation is not persecution. It is just some people being mean.

Some people go in mean and ignorant directions. And I am sorry that you have experience that for following your heart and personal faith regarding Christmas.