Renaii...might I suggest the sacred festivals held by the Isrealites. These were events of momentous occasion. They were rituals that were planned greatly in advance and anticipated with much enjoyment. They lasted days. Family gathered, traveling many miles to do so. Temporary places of habitation were erected. It was a time of socialization, relaxment, enjoyment and sacredness. They didn't spend all day in the temple. They put out palms (if memory serves) and gathered on the roof to enjoy. They were for the glory of God and jubilation in his provisions.
Christmas is this to me. We glorify God, rejoice in his provision (Jesus) and congregate with family to share in the triumph and joyfullness. Many songs extol God's glory and rejoice in Christ. Children perform plays based on the most special of all occasions, his birth, and learn to let their hearts rejoice with love and happiness and gratefullness.
The bible says let no one judge another for what day he holds holy. You are not to judge another. Period. Eliminating someone's ability to rejoice in God and the Lord Christ Jesus is...wrong. God says so.
As to the original post...I always longed to join in. Who wouldn't? I always felt outcast and it only made it worse to add this burden of judging others and holding a "holier than thou" attitude. I'll never forget the one time, in 6th grade, I was absent for Valentine's day and my teacher set out a box for me. She gave it to me when I returned. I took them with me to the bathroom to read and devour! To feel included! What a wonderful feelling, even if they were pretty impersonal! I wanted to keep them forever, but knew the punishment I would face for it. I also knew how much trouble I would get in just for reading them. So I threw them away.
I also remember, when teachers handed out Christmas presents to the children, having to refuse. I will always remember my 5th grade teacher who found a way around it, telling me she just wanted to give me a present for being such a nice student. God bless Mrs. Simburg.
For our children, we made our own celebrations. We called them "Family Day" and had them for about a year or two before we finally broke free. It took me until January 2006 to see, with my conscience, there was nothing wrong with Christmas. I wish I could go back and get that done a month sooner! It would mean the world to me. But alas...we had our Family Day that January and our oldest was 7 when she had her first Christmas. Bless her heart. She is my angel. Our youngest was 4 and doesn't remember being denied anything. She however had Kindergarten and half of first grade. But she had her first birthday party at 7 and was so excited to do everything! Valentines 2006 was our first official holiday!