This article explores the true meaning of Christmas, arguing that it transcends specific religious beliefs and focuses on the shared human experience of celebrating life's mysteries and beauty.
Rite & Reason: What makes Christmas religious is that regardless of their specific beliefs, people come together to celebrate the mystery and beauty of life. I am a traditionalist. I dislike it when people say Happy Holidays, write “Xmas” or refer to St Stephen’s Day as Boxing Day. And yet I hardly think of Christ. I don’t think that Jesus was the son of God. I don’t believe in a personal God who intervenes in this world. And, yet, I think I am as religious as the next person.
For me, what makes Christmas religious, and what makes thousands of similar festivals around the world religious, is that regardless of their specific beliefs, people come together to celebrate the mystery and beauty of life. Religion begins with mystery and ritual. Like many others, I have no idea why we are here. Why there is something rather than nothing? How, after billions of years, has life on earth come to be the way it is? Despite what seems like enormous progress, I don’t think science will ever answer these questions. Celebrating the mystery and beauty of life is part and parcel of being human. Ever since we became self-conscious, we have wondered about the meaning of life and what it is to live a good life. But whatever the answer, we seem to have realised that our survival depends on us coming together.We need to create and sustain a collective consciousness. We do this through language and symbols, by engaging in rituals, through music, art, praying, chanting and dancing. This, for me, is the core of being religious. It is what we do at Christmas. My hope is that the sense of belonging to a cosmic whole of which we are just an infinitesimal part will help us realise that it is collective and not individual salvation that is central to the survival of our species Midwinter festivals seem to have always played a role in human society. This began to change around 3,000 years ag
CHRISTMAS RELIGION TRADITION RITUAL HUMANITY
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
TikTok Approved Christmas Recipes Making Our Tummies RumbleTikTok Approved Christmas Recipes Making Our Tummies Rumble TikTok Approved Christmas Recipes Making Our Tummies Rumble
Read more »
Christmas Supermarkets Opening Hours: Lidl and Aldi Christmas Week PlansGet ready for Christmas with this guide to Lidl and Aldi's opening hours during the festive season. Check their Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day schedules to avoid any last-minute dashes to the shops.
Read more »
Fair City Christmas Drama: Damien's Return, Tyler's Revenge and Carol's Christmas ChaosGet ready for a festive season full of drama in Carrigstown as Fair City serves up an unmissable holiday lineup. Damien Halpin's return, Tyler Monroe's sinister plans and a new love interest for Carol Foley are just some of the surprises in store.
Read more »
White Christmas Hopes Dashed as Ireland Faces Record-Breaking Christmas HeatDespite the slim chance of a White Christmas, Ireland is bracing for a record-breaking warm Christmas with temperatures reaching double figures and potentially surpassing the current warmest Christmas ever recorded.
Read more »
Paschal Donohoe's Christmas: Yes to Indiana Jones Movies and Christmas Jumpers, No to Festive PyjamasOutgoing Irish minister for public expenditure Paschal Donohoe shares his favorite Christmas traditions, including his love for Indiana Jones movies and Christmas jumpers, while revealing his aversion to festive pyjamas. He also discusses his Christmas shopping habits, his views on religion during Christmas, and what he truly desires for the holiday season.
Read more »
Christmas Forecast: No White Christmas in SightIreland's national forecaster, Met Eireann, predicts a mild Christmas with temperatures between 10 and 12 degrees and no frost, ruling out any chance of snowfall. The rest of the week is expected to be cold, with frost in the east and a mix of dry and showery conditions.
Read more »