http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2002/12/22christmasaholid.html
Christmas: A holiday of many hues Activities range from secular scenes to doing nothing at all
By J.L. MILLER
Dover Bureau reporter
12/22/2002
Leah Denson's children never believed in Santa Claus.
Denson, husband Bart and children Emily and B.J. are Christians, but there is no sign of a Christmas tree or any other holiday trappings in their Dunleith home.
As Jehovah's Witnesses, the Densons follow their denomination's belief that Christmas is not a Christian holiday.
Jehovah's Witnesses point out that in the Bible, Christ told his followers to remember his death. He said nothing about remembering his birth.
They also cite the pagan roots of such traditions as the Christmas tree and holiday greenery as reasons to shun the celebration.
So for 15-year-old Emily and 12-year-old B.J., there is no Santa Claus - and no presents under the tree.
"It really is just another day," Leah Denson said. "Even though it might be hard for people to believe, there are a lot of activities we're engaged in. Since nothing else is going on [on Christmas Day], we'll probably go to the bowling alley, probably with 200 other Witnesses, having fun."
The Densons taught their children from an early age that their family does not believe in Christmas.
"I don't think that they ever felt left out," she said, adding that her family, like most Jehovah's Witnesses, gives and accepts gifts throughout the year.
She recalled that when her son was younger, his teacher handed out little plastic bags of candy to each pupil at Christmastime.
Denson found the candy two months later, unopened, in the bottom of B.J.'s book bag.
"I asked him why he didn't open it and eat it, and he said he thought it might have been for Christmas and it wouldn't have been right for him to eat it," she said.
Edited by - Blondie on 22 December 2002 21:48:33