christmas and the festive season..

Christmas: a holiday generally celebrated on the 25th of December too commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity.


For my friends and family, Christmas is a very social occasion, a chance to catch up and celebrate each others company, a time where we all indulge in the material and spiritual joys in life. This week being Christmas week, today being Christmas eve, the festivities have begun rolling in, presents have been exchanged, lights have been looked at, trees put up, tables decorated and munchies prepared. None of this really relates too religion, but really to alot of people Christmas has lost its religious meaning.
Having come from a split family, one side being non-religious and the other side being quite heavily religious, i get too see the contrast between both concepts, its funny to think that this holiday was reserved to celebrate the birth of a divinity, and traditionally it is celebrated as just that, however as i have grown up i have noticed that Christmas is a commercial holiday where we are encouraged to buy and sell, to consume what mass media has created for us, im not complaining, im not religious myself, but i still understand the traditional concept, and occasionaly if im at father dearests for the festivities I attend the christmas eve mass, too in some way semi-honor the traditional beleifs of my family, and to honor the work of the big G ( I dont know if god is male or female, it's debateable though).
Too me Christmas comes but once a year, it is a celebration of life and family, it is a time of giving and recognition.
Two Questions:
What does Christmas mean too you?
AND
Is God male or Female? State your reasons ( i feel a debate commin on )