Why do we celebrate holidays?
The Witness postion is that all holidays are bad because of their origins. I would maintain that all holidays have a very human origin, the need to celebrate what is important to them. The reason may take on a relgious meaning, or a historical meaning, but it important to the human psyche.
Birthdays: The Witnesses present a tenuous agruement that birthdays are bad because of the John the Baptist incident. They reach into the psycological level by saying that birhtdays are bad because they call too much attention to the individual, and make them self centered. My opinion is quite counter to this. Everyone needs a special day - birthdays, mother's day, and father's day. Yes, we love our child. Yes, we love mom and dad, but with the pressures of everyday life, do we tell them often enough? We should give them that special day. No one can have too much recognition and love. Therefore, birthdays are not pagan, in the sense of being bad. Birthdays are natural, normal expressions of love.
Christmas: Just like birthdays, Christians my think of Jesus through the year, but Christmas is a special time to love him. It is also a time to love your family in a special way, whether Jesus is central to your life or not.
Thanksgiving: Although a national rememberance, Thanksgiving is a special day to think about our blessings. It is a time for family to get together without the pressure of conflicting work schedules for all to spend time together.
I could go on with other holidays and days of remembrence, but I think the point is made. Holidays were created for a good reason. We need them to fulfill part of ourselves. When I read stories on this forum about the joy that many are experiencing with their new holiday experiences, it reinforces what I believe about the value of holidays.