Danny Brown

podcaster - author - creator

christmas

Why You Don’t Need to be Christian to Celebrate Christmas

In less than two weeks, it’ll be Christmas Day.

For many, it’s the day that Jesus Christ was born, and a hugely important religious occasion.

After all, the name Christ is right there, front and centre, in the name of the day itself.

And for my Christian friends and Christians around the world, it’s a day that defines the message of God, and all that means.

But I don’t think you need to be a Christian, or believe the story of Christ, to celebrate Christmas.

I don’t mean that as dismissive – I fundamentally believe everyone has a right to their beliefs, and religious direction.

But if you look at what many share as “the true meaning of Christmas”, it’s a wider meaning unhindered by one religion.

The Religion of Humanity

While I’m not a religious person by nature, I’m aware of the Bible and its teachings from my time at Religious Education studies in the Scottish schools I went to.

If we look back at the description of Jesus’s birth (if you take that as historical fact), then the birth was seen as something for all mankind.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ~ Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The last part of that quote is why I don’t feel you need to specifically be a Christian to celebrate December 25th.

Yes, it’s the birth of someone that defines Christianity (and if I’m offering too simplistic an overview, I sincerely apologize).

Yes, it’s clear that the event isn’t for “all the people”, as evidenced by the ongoing wars and disputes over religious beliefs.

But if we step outside the religious connotation of this particular day, and look at it from a more personal yet still global perspective, maybe – just maybe – there’s hope for us all.

During the writing process for his book The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren surveyed some shoppers buying Christmas gifts. He asked what Christmas meant to them. Some of their answers included:

  • “I’m celebrating that I made it through another year.”
  • “I’m celebrating being home with my family.”
  • “My son is home from Iraq.”

There were many more, each a different answer, yet none referring directly to Jesus Christ. That’s not to say they weren’t relatable – but it does show a bigger picture mindset around this time of year.

The Mindset of a Non-Christian Celebration

I’ve spoken before with friends who ask me how I can celebrate Christmas yet not be a Christian. The answer is simple: love for all isn’t restricted to one religion.

Instead, love for all is a celebration of life and all that can mean. It’s a celebration of who we can be as opposed to who defines who we are based on religion.

For me personally, Christmas is about the smiles on my kids’ faces as they unwrap gifts. Yet it’s also the smile on my son’s face as he donates gifts to our local Toys For Tots to bring some joy to needy kids this Christmas.

It’s about families, neighbours, and old friends coming together in a circle of warmth and love.

It’s about giving to others less fortunate.

It’s about looking at the world and knowing where it’s going wrong, and working together to fix it, with religion and cultural differences put aside to be one world.

That’s not a Christian message. That’s a human message, and one we can all support.

Merry Christmas to you, from a non-Christian. 🙂

If You Enjoy This Blog, Want to Help Needy Children?

So I try not to use this blog too much for personal reasons (like ads, promos, etc), but for the following, I’m going to make an exception.

The Toys for Tots program?has one simple goal: to bring the joy of Christmas to needy children.

Its bigger picture goal is just as inspiring – “to deliver a message of hope that builds self-esteem, and motivate kids to grow into responsible adults that become productive and valuable members of the community.”

It’s a wonderful initiative that brings so much joy and happiness to kids (and families) that otherwise don’t have a lot to smile about at this time of year.

And I’d like to ask a favour.

Turning Content and Conversations into Toys

I’ve run this blog for almost 8 years now, and hopefully during that time you’ve found something that’s interested you, or made you think differently.

Additionally, there have been literally thousands of discussions, both in the comments and on social, around a post’s topic or idea.

So, here’s the favour.

If you’ve found some value in this blog, how would you like to “return” that and help my wife Jaclyn and five-year old son Ewan raise some funds and deliver a smile to kids this Christmas?

Not only that, you have the chance of winning some very timely (and very cool) Mary Kay products for men and women.

Interested? Here’s the skinny:

  • Make a donation of either $2, $5 or $10 or $20?to my wife’s Toys for Tots drive. This can be done by sending the amount to Jaclyn’s PayPal account
  • You could win one of three prizes (see main image below): Satin Hands Set (value $51), MK Men’s Grooming Set (value $53), or $100 prize certificate to spend on any MK product

Toys for Tots

  • Everyone that donates $10 or $20?will receive a free copy of both ebooks
  • The draw is for anyone, anywhere. My wife will ship the prizes out to you after the draw date (so hopefully they’ll be there for Christmas).

On the draw date – Tuesday December 8 – the winners will be notified by the email provided to PayPal (and I’ll update this post accordingly), and the amount raised tallied.

Then, a couple of days after that, my wife will take our son to the local Toys’R’Us and buy a whole bunch of toys to take to Halton Police, who’re arranging the Toys for Tots drive.

Help Make Needy Kids (and my son!) Smile This Christmas

So, that’s my favour. If you wish to donate and help, that’d be so awesome and appreciated like you would not believe.

If you can’t donate, no worries, but perhaps you could share this post (and Jaclyn and Ewan’s goal) with someone who can?

Either way, thanks for reading and considering, and I’ll leave you with some final words from my wife:

My 5-year-old is learning that there are kids out there who have nothing, and he wants to help. Please help me, help my son, help others. Every little bit helps! Thank you xox

Jaclyn and Ewan

Thanks, guys,

Danny.

Note: Donations should be in by 11.59pm on Sunday December 6th, 2015. DONATE NOW.

Updated:?the three prize winners were Diane Veveiros Kralj, Delton Alves, and Dawn Vanson. The final tally raised was $490.40 – woot!

A Christmas Video Message

I just wanted to say thank you for reading, commenting and making this blog better. While I may write, you make the magic happen in the comments and social conversations elsewhere – and I’m so grateful for that.

Here’s to more of the same in 2012 and beyond – let’s continue to grow together. Personally and professionally, let’s make 2012 the year that we truly come together and make all the real magic happen.

In the meantime… this is for you, and see you on the other side of Christmas!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjeteJaRXA8&list[/youtube]

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

I just wanted to say thank you to all for stopping by and taking time out your day to see what I have to say. It’s always appreciated and I look forward to sharing more views and discussions with you in 2009.

Have a wonderful Christmas, eat and be merry and stay safe. See you in a few days.

Dear Santa – A Letter of Hope

I know it’s a bit early to be writing this list. And I know I’m a bit old – okay, a WHOLE LOT old – to be writing to you. But I figure it can’t hurt, right? After all, millions of children can’t be wrong. So, my wish-list for this year is as follows:

  1. An end to world poverty. Yes, this comes up every year by people far more influential than me, but why is nothing happening? For some, it could be relatively easy to make a difference. According to Forbes, the organization that details the world’s richest influencers, there were 946 billionaires in 2007. The average wealth of each of these billionaires was $3.6 billion. Imagine if each one gave $1 million toward ending poverty – that would be $946 million. It costs an average $10,000 to drill a well, yet this can provide a village of 1,000 people with clean water for 20 years. That’s almost 100,000 wells that could be built with the donations of the super-rich alone. Would they really miss it?
  2. A more sharing and caring world. One thing I love about social media is the way everyone seems to genuinely look out for each other. You need help – ask on Twitter and within seconds you could have 100 answers. This kind of social caring needs to come into the real world. I have high hopes with Obama instigating this type of world approach – please live up to them.
  3. An end to bigotry of all creeds – homophobia, racism, sexism and more. We’re all part of the same world, people – our problems and successes are all interconnected one way or another. So why decry someone for the colour of their skin or their sexual preferences?
  4. Stopping the abuse. Whether it’s physical or emotional, there is no place in any civilized society for abuse of any kind. Domestic violence; bullying; mental torture – it all adds up to the same thing. We’re called human beings – let’s start showing it.
  5. Religious tolerance for all. I’ll admit to not being a religious man, but I won’t decry anyone for being religious. Perhaps one of the reasons I’m not religious is that I see it as being the cause of so many wars and conflicts throughout the ages. Surely this can change? We may not agree with another person’s religious views, but they should still be respected, no?

That’s about it. It’d be great if any came true. Better still, if they all came true I’d be a very happy man. But I’m realistic. I know change isn’t going to happen overnight. But the belief that we can and will change is worth hanging onto.

After all, we can only instigate change through belief, and that is something I have tons of.

I’m pretty sure you do too, yes?

(PS – If you can find your way to putting an iPod Touch into my stocking, Santa, that’d be awesome!)