It's a fascinating question, Mrr. I'm a church-going Christian, but I can certainly see how it would be offensive to non-Christians to have all this Christ-stuff from early October until the after-Christmas sales end in February. Still, if you attempt to cleanse all vestiges of Christianity from winter celebrations, can you have a tradition that is authentic? It seems like people try to do that here in California - you can say whatever you like about Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan, but you are Politically Incorrect if you make mention of Christmas.
I think the same thing happens with Jews who try to celebrate a secular Passover with a Haggadah that mekes no mention of God. I can see the reason why they want to do such a thing and I don't question their sincerity, but can they have an authentic Passover tradition without mention of God? Can't they celebrate Passover in traditional ways and mention God in the story of Exodus, without actually believing in God?
I think the answer to to acknowledge and embrace all the winter traditions that are part of our culture, and then build upon those traditions in a way that suits our own way of thinking. Take a look at how tradition has developed in history, and I think you'll see that it's the only way that authentic tradition can develop. As Christianity spread through Europe, the church did many things to attempt to do away with earlier pagan practices and traditions. Did it work? Nope - look at all the Christmas customs that trace their roots to pagan religions. Was it wrong for Christians to assimilate earlier tradition and incorporate it into their own custom? I don't think so. It seems to me that assimilation is a natural part of the development of tradition and culture.
In this modern age of ours, we try to shape thinking by forcing changes upon our language and customs. We come up with a new name for African-Americans and handicapped people every ten years. We call personnel "human resources," customers "guests," and employees "associates." We have to watch every word we say so that we don't utter something that somebody might consider offensive. We can't eat peanuts or wear perfume or serve bread because someboy might be allergic.
I think it's healthiest for us if we can accept the fact that life is messy. No matter how hard we try, it's impossible for us to cleans the past and the present of things we don't like. All we can do is build upon what we have.
So, if you want to build a winter tradition, take a lesson from how Christianity built upon previous custom. Acknowledge and accept and build upon all that is rich and colorful from Christian Christmas tradition - but don't think you have to believe in it.
-Joe Offer-