Is Christmas all it's cracked up to be?

Every year I deal with a love-hate relationship with the whole Christmas celebration. I have always been one to go against the flow of what many do. Whenever I see folks enter into the whole Christmas mode, it reminds me of lemmings following each other off the cliff, and unfortunately, I can tend to get caught up in the fray as well. I try to do Christmas my way, giving as God leads me, and just enjoying various "perks" like peppermint everything offered in stores.
But what is really going on? Yes, people say its a time to be generous and help the poor, and that's a good thing. People like the idea of getting together with family and blessing each other. That's a good thing too.
I guess what I DONT like about Christmas is the emphasis on shopping and sales and consumerism. Merchants LOVE Christmas and rightly so. We've turned it into a feeding frenzy regarding shopping!
We do the same things over and over again, expecting different results, yet don't see anything wrong with that. Last time I checked, that was the definition of insanity.
People love Christmas, because it has nothing to do with Christ. If it had anything to do with Christ, most of the world would shun it.
Maybe there is a small minority who Christianize the holiday, but that is what happened back in the times of Constantine when he wanted to placate the Pagans, he put a Christian stamp on everything.
Christmas is definitely not Christian, its more of a conglomeration of various pagan and cultural traditions all rolled up in one. What really seems to me to be an abomination is the Christmas tree. My husband pointed out how people actually "bow down" to receive their gifts which are under the tree...wow talk about pagan worship. The Bible specifically spells out that we are not to put idols or trees especially into our homes and decorate them with gold and silver...hmmmmm. 
I think what helps me have this mindset is the fact that I did not grow up with Christmas. I always envied the people who celebrated. They seemed to be having such a good time.
I love to bless people, but its because of the goodness of God, not a one time holiday.
People may think that folks like me are scrooge like but they can think what they want.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
I enjoy Christmas lights, and various things about this holiday, in some ways its fun.
But when it comes to the tree and other rituals that people feel obligated to do, that's not for me. Am I taking this too seriously? Well years ago, there was a saying amongst Christians: What Would Jesus Do? I tend to think that Jesus would want me free from what the world thinks is good to do, especially when it comes to celebrating an amalgamation of traditions that have nothing to do with His birthday. The point is: as a Christian, we want to do what glorifies God. Jesus has always been, He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. We celebrate his presence in our lives every day. What is December 25 to me? Just another day. And that's okay with me.
Everyone has to come to this realization on their own. I don't condemn anyone who celebrates Christmas, but at the same time, I have a right to express what I believe. Along the theme of this blog itself, its all about freedom! I'm free! I can go see gingerbread houses, I can eat candy canes, I can even display lights if I want, but I'm not bound by it. I just see it for what it is: a sham! Like everything else in this world that offers a counterfeit to who we are and what we have in Christ.