I Hate Christmas

I am not a Grinch. I am not a Scrooge. I do not hate Christmas because it is a Christian holiday and I am agnostic. I hate Christmas because of the way it is celebrated in America today.
I spent most of my life as a Christian. My views on religion and the holidays are not based on some emotional rejection of beliefs that are different from mine. In fact, most of my distaste for the modern celebration of Christmas in America stems from a respect for the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament.
Today, Christmas (or "Giftmas," as it is sometimes known in our home) has become a hugely commercialized event. But I do not blame corporations for taking advantage of an opportunity to sell more stuff. This is what companies do, and they will never stop.
The fact that the opportunity exists is the real problem. Somewhere along the way, Christmas morphed from a celebration of giving to a celebration of receiving. It is enforced as soon as children are able to understand what is going on around them. It is called the "Season of Giving" but it has really become a season of getting. Our kids start making their lists on Thanksgiving or even earlier. All they know is that on one day in December, they will get stuff. And lots of stuff, too. Eventually, those who attend church will hear the stories behind the celebration, but it will always be about what they will get. Since there is no real relationship between being showered with wrapped presents and the birth of Christ, few will ever really understand the holiday before they are able to consider it in context as adults.
Let's consider what Jesus taught during his lifetime. Despite what some right-wingers may try to claim, Jesus's most common lessons were about compassion, tolerance, and the evils of greed. In fact, according to the Bible, Jesus taught the value of charity and tithing far more than he ever spoke about such hot topics as homosexuality or marriage. The one time he became angry it was about greed and money. He told his followers to reject their material belongings and live a life of austerity. He did not encourage people to get rich, and he did not suggest that they give each other presents. He suggested that people should care for (and about!) those who are less fortunate than they are. See, the "giving" is not supposed to be to each other; it is supposed to be to the poor.
Instead of thinking about the lessons of Jesus, Americans, most of whom would call themselves Christians, celebrate the anniversary of His birth with a day of excess, gluttony, and greed. Any true Christian should recognize this as the most obscene of insults. It is an example of extreme hypocrisy. And it is embarrassing. Even to this agnostic.