When asked if she thought it was appropriate for atheists to celebrate Christmas, Ayn Rand said (in part):

"Yes, of course. A national holiday, in this country, cannot have an exclusively religious meaning. ... The charming aspect of Christmas is the fact that it expresses good will in a cheerful, happy, benevolent, non-sacrificial way. One says: “Merry Christmas”—not “Weep and Repent.” And the good will is expressed in a material, earthly form—by giving presents to one’s friends, or by sending them cards in token of remembrance ... The best aspect of Christmas is the aspect usually decried by the mystics: the fact that Christmas has been commercialized."

To you as well, and thanks for letting me know there is an actually documented birthday of someone clearly worth celebrating on the 25th! I didn't know that.

Or if you want the original, celebrate Mithra: http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Jesu...

I accept any (almost) reason for a party :-D

Thank you so much. I celebrate it as a sort of
Winter Solstice festival. I went home and had a
visit with my family in the western part of the state.

“On this day long ago, a child was born who, by age 30, would transform the world. Happy Birthday Isaac Newton b. Dec 25, 1642.” -- Neil deGrasse Tyson

Personally, I'll have a Merry Christmas as an Objectivist, rather than as the limiting label of atheist.

Merry Christmas to all, and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Thanks for the greetings. If you visit other Objectiv-ish sites such as Rebirth of Reason and Objectivism Online, as well as the Atlas Society, of course, you will find easily that we do celebrate traditional holidays from a rational perspective. (On the Atlas Society website, enter "Christmas" in the search box.) Like Thanksgiving, Christmas is a time of opulence, celebrating our productivity.

On my blog (http://necessaryfacts.blogspot.com/ ), I have several Newtwonas messages.

Is Atheism a hard requirement? - sorry - new guy - didn't search... but they are not exclusive in my humble opinion.