Do you celebrate the holiday at Christmas if you are not a Christian?

That is good. The 'Christian' festival is really a way of acknowledging a much older custom (Historically, Jesus was probably born in March, it seems!)

how do you celebrate the yule?

'God Jule' to you. Yes, there are different reasons for celebrating, but let us all celebrate together, whatever meaning we may put on the season! If I wish you a Happy Christmas, please translate it as 'My warmest wishes for Yule' (even British Christians know about the Yule Log - many even remember how it should be kept burning from one year to the next!) Blessings!

Jesus said "I am the Light of the World". What more natural, then, than to celebrate the 'return of the Light (Son/Sun)' at this time. Hannukah and Diwali are also Festivals of the Renewing of Light and happen at about this time. Amongst Muslims about this time is the end of Ramadan and called Eid ul-Fitr (Festivity for the End of the Fast). It is a time of remembering the family and the extended family, the poor, just as Christians tend to do at Christmas, wishing peace and goodwill to all mankind. Be assured that whatever you do in your culture, there are others in parallel cultures doing very similar things. I would like to believe that one day we shall all celebrate together, rather than saying "No Christmas Trees - they may offend; No Menorah ... it may offend; You must wish people 'Happy Holidays' or you may offend"!!!!!

I also find that is true from my friends who have visited India. It is very tolarant country for the different religions.

It seems to me that the Indian culture is generally very friendly and tolerant of all religions. That is wonderful!

I think that (in the UK) not many think of Turkey as a Muslim country - more a secular state which is, incidentally, predominately Muslim (just as Britain or America are predominantly Christian). I wish you blessings for Eid ul-Fitr and love and success in the New Year.

I beg you take care, yourself, from where ever it is offered. I think that the strength of the Christmas celebration must have come mostly from the countries which are dark at this time. It has to be a celebration of the return of Light - which is why the Christian celebration is set after the solstice. Whether or not one uses the Sun/Son alliteration/allusion is not important. The season has certainly come to mean a regathering of family and friends, whether or not we regard and rejoice in the passing of winter or in the supposed birth of Christ - the Light of the World - at this time. I think that it is an important time for togetherness and a sharing of what others feel about this season - and about us in general.

Thank you. It is good to respect, to try to understand and to honour other people's beliefs, even if they are not your own. Your statement doesn't make it clear whether you are Christian or not but I didn't ask that.

It is especially a family holiday for many people today. That is not a bad thing but it's a shame that it doesn't mean more to some people - I don't necessarily mean in a Christian way because not everyone is Christian.

I think that, whatever religion (or none) one subscribes to, it's important to have a 'festival' which honours and celebrates the family.

I think that one can celebrate the 'spirit' of Christmas, which is a rejoicing at the birth of a new year and a time when one gives gifts and remembers friends and family, whatever religion one adheres to. Do you not have Diwali at about the same time of the year?

I think that is the way most people celebrate Christmas. It's one of the best times to be with family.