The witnesses make a great to-do about Christmas and all the trimmings, but for many, Christmas has no religious meaning and instead is used to solidify family bonds by visiting one another, sharing time with friends, they use it as a time for sharing their own good fortune by volunteering time or donating money and sometimes to vacation. Many enjoy the tradition and celebration and fellowship without religion entering the picture. Knowing this, and the Watchtower admits it in their website -
"Has the modern-day celebration of Christmas lost sight of Christ? Officially, December 25 has been observed since the fourth century C.E., when the Roman Catholic Church designated that day for religious observance of Jesus' birth. But according to a recent poll taken in the United States, only 33 percent of those polled felt that the birth of Christ is the most important aspect of Christmas.
What do you think? Do you at times feel that in all the insistent advertising, the harried buying of presents, the decorating of trees, the organizing and attending of parties, the sending of cards—Jesus has somehow been left out of the picture?"
Now - if the WTS acknowledges that 67% don't believe in religion as THE most important aspect of Christmas - then why the big deal? Of course they will follow that by answering of course that the tree and celebration is rooted in paganism. But wait! According to my understanding of the wedding ring exchange, that is also a pagan custom. Witnesses still exchange wedding rings and even go so far as to celebrate their anniversary.
sammieswife.
