Mrrzy, I suppose your family could turn Christmas into, like you say, a gathering/gift-giving day of family love. I kinda see the point from the people who said that no matter what, you're still celebrating Christmas. However, I think whatever the spirit of the occasion or intention of the person dictates what you're celebrating. Because actually, most scholars agree that Jesus was born in the summertime, so the medieval church, in its attempt to rid paganism, "transmuted" pagan holidays into Christian ones to ease the conversion for the common people. Yule incorporated elements like mistletoe because in Celtic belief, mistletoe is a symbol for fertility, a perfect thing to use in a celebration looking forward to Spring. Anyways, Yule was turned into Christmas. Same thing happened w/ All Souls' Day, Nov. 1, which was the first day of the Celtic year and had to do with celebrating dead ancestors and such. Even the word "Easter" is derived from the name of a Teutonic goddess of Springtime. Long story (sorry 'bout that) short, it doesn't matter. We Christians celebrate Christmas with Jesus in our hearts, and you and your family may celebrate it with love for each other in your hearts, and as a day off from work to all be together. Sing songs about winter and joy; "Jingle Bells" as someone mentioned already. Why not look up some old medieval or Renaissance songs about winter? Probably there are some that don't mention Christ. Top your star w/ a tree to symbolize lighting the way through the long, dark winter. And you shouldn't have to exclude Santa Clause. Sure, he was granted a sainthood by the church, but before that, he was just a man who gave gifts to the poor. Nothing religious about that. Terribly sorry for my long-winded rambling. ;) MOTH