Where is religion in Christmas tradition?

The day after Thanksgiving, I battled through a turkey-and-stuffing-and-pumpkin-pie-induced stomachache to make my way to the mall. I had a coupon for a free cashmere scarf with purchase at Express if I got there between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.

I made it there by 10 a.m., and I was proud of myself. I never go to the mall the day after Thanksgiving.

The greeter at the front of the store politely told me they had none left. Really, none? None. They sold out by 7:30 a.m.

While schlepping my way three miles back to the only parking spot I could find, I started cursing at all of the idiot shoppers who'd already been up for hours maxing out their credit cards, and it dawned on me. I was the same way -- I just procrastinated until the day before Christmas to do it.

Some get immense joy out of giving, others prefer getting, but in reality, Christmas has become a holiday of presents. And family.

For Christians, it's a time of the Chreasters -- those parishioners that only come out of the woodwork to Mass on Christmas and Easter. When I was in elementary school and high school, I used to frown at those who fake devotion and only worship on the two most important days of the year without bothering to go in between. Now I am one of them.

I go to Midnight Mass every year and hear the homily of the birth of Jesus Christ. I sing along with the chorus, give the expected responses during the service without even thinking about them, and get the same stares every year from the regulars who recognize that I used to go the church on Saturdays, and now I only go when it's convenient.

They're right, but I can't help but think while I walk down the aisle to receive communion: at least I'm here now.

But I don't think of the religious connotations of the holiday while I'm shopping for gifts, or while I'm helping my mother make her yearly Filet Mignon.

It's not that I'm ignorant of the founding of what's become the worldwide all-encompassing phenomenon of Christmas. In today's society, a sense of religion is lost.

Schools can't say "Merry Christmas" anymore, or even "Happy Hannukah." "Happy Holidays" is hung across every auditorium, and all campus marquees -- a politically correct statement to cover all singularly religious holidays. Somehow, Christmas has become politically correct.

People of all denominations celebrate Christmas -- Hindu, Muslim, Catholics, Protestants, and they do so by giving gifts to one another, gathering together, and sitting down as a family to share a meal -- something more and more rare these days. Is this wrong? Does this follow what Jesus Christ had intended, what Christians came to celebrate as Christmas?

I think it does. My Hindu roommate has dinner with her family on Christmas Eve. Her mother makes traditional Indian food, and they head off to a movie together or rent one and stay at home on Christmas. They don't necessarily wrap up presents and exchange them, but her mother takes her and her sister out shopping to commemorate the holiday.

Another friend of mine, an atheist, shops two months ahead of time and puts hours of thought into presents for her parents and friends, and slaves in the kitchen to create a Christmas dinner feast for her extended family.

Does the fact that I'm a confirmed Catholic who says a prayer with my family before eating and shares a wafer blessed at my church, make my Christmas celebration any more legitimate?

Outlandish presents aside, the true value of Christmas isn't about who's the most religious, or whether or not how you celebrate reflects your beliefs. A devotion to remembering the day as the birthday of Christ is no longer necessary to create a sense of the Christmas spirit and in today's society seems somewhat outdated.

From the origins of the holiday to today's broad definition, Christmas has always been about family coming together. It's unfortunate that religion has taken a backseat, but it's paved the way for everyone to celebrate.

Is it better to limit the holiday to Christians? Should we try and practice religious devotion the one or two days of the year when it's important enough to remember? Or is it best to accept it as what it is and embrace it?

No matter how you view Christmas, the holiday in its current form is just as valid as ever. While traditions may change or fade, the spirit of the holiday is an inherent part in any celebration.