Cover Story by Kelli Finnestad We didn't go to church on Christmas Eve either because it was a celebration.

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Send mail to The Voice Family rejects Christmas celebration because of holiday's pagan roots This year, Mark and Angela Congdon will celebrate Christmas with their daughter Alicia. -Angela Congdon, photo Multnomah alumna Angela Wiley grew up in a family that chose not to celebrate Christmas. After marrying Mark Congdon, the son of a former MBC professor, Angela transitioned into a large family that celebrated the holiday. Angela and Mark have been married for more than two years. They live in Vancouver, Wash., with their 8-month-old daughter. In this interview, Angela Congdon discusses her family's nontraditional Christmas. The Voice: What was Christmas like for you growing up? Congdon: My family didn't celebrate Christmas because of [its] pagan origins; sometimes we would go to the coast. We didn't go to church on Christmas Eve either because it was a celebration. One year we went to Mt. Hood and played on the slopes for free because [the ski area] was closed. Christmas was a great time for games and family time. My birthday is Dec. 22, so we celebrated that. The Voice: How did you feel about not celebrating Christmas? Congdon: I was proud of the fact that my parents researched Christmas and its origins. They didn't just do things because everyone else did; they wanted to know why they did things. At home we had collections of books and articles about the origins of Christmas. Dad used to give them to people if they were curious, but he warned them first. He used to tell them, "Now don't go and read this unless you really want to know." We wouldn't get mad if people celebrated around us. We loved to hear everyone's Christmas stories. When we got Christmas cards we put them on the mantel. The Voice: As a child, did you ever wonder what it would be like to celebrate Christmas? Congdon: [I] knew the reasons and understood why we didn't celebrate; I don't remember ever feeling cheated of anything. The only thing I didn't like was that I couldn't have a birthday party because all my friends were busy with their families. I was home schooled, so we took time off and had a big Thanksgiving dinner and exchanged gifts then. It seemed like a proper time for gift-giving and being thankful. The Voice: How did your parents celebrate Christmas when they were kids? Congdon: My Dad's family didn't celebrate at all; in fact, his father researched Christmas and its origins. He had a collection of articles about Christmas. My Mom and her family did celebrate, and when my parents got married they decided not to celebrate Christmas. The first Christmas after my parents were married, my [Mom's parents] called and asked who would go to who's house. My parents had forgotten to tell my grandparents about their decision. My grandmother wanted to be able to give gifts, so my parents decided to give gifts at Thanksgiving. The Voice: How did you transition into your husband's family that celebrates Christmas? Congdon: Mark and I talked a lot about [celebrating Christmas] before we got married. We didn't want this to be an issue after we were married. My parents and I haven't talked much about it; we've always believed that people should follow their own convictions. My first Christmas was a little strange. I'm still sorting through what things I want to participate in and what things I don't. We don't have a Christmas tree. To me, a Christmas tree is an idol. We don't do the "Santa thing." We decided to celebrate[just] Christ. Scripture says if you keep a day, keep it to the Lord, and if you don't keep a day, keep that to the Lord also. This year I would like to get a nativity set and maybe some white lights. I never got to decorate growing up, so I don't know much. I've enjoyed going to Christmas parties. I didn't do that growing up either. [I have] been a little embarrassed not knowing all the songs. I sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" in a choir, and I was the only one who didn't know it. The Voice: What are celebrations like with Mark's family? Congdon: He's the youngest of 12, so usually one of his siblings will have as many people as can make it over to their home. We have big dinners and go to church on Christmas Eve and sing carols all evening. One year, Mark was in charge of the gift giving, and he passed out papers with verses on them; the verses talked about the gifts that God has given us. Along with the verses, we were given sculpy modeling clay and instructed to mold it into something that represents the gifts from God. Then we stood and shared the gifts with everyone. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2001 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.