There are two Christmases: take your pick.

I have often heard from friends who don't share the Christian idea of Christmas -- the birth of Jesus, etc. -- that they feel left out at this time of year, which is so important to all us Americans.
I have good news! You, too, can participate without violating your ideals!

Christmas in America is not just about Jesus but is also about Santa Claus, and Santa transcends all faiths. Santa is a mythical (don't tell your kids) figure who appears on Christmas Eve and brings presents to all the girls and boys who have been good during the previous year. Santa is of no religion, no faith: He comes, bearing gifts, to anyone who had been good (and probably to those who haven't but have convincingly lied about it).

In short, Christmas in America is about rewarding friends and family for what they've done for us during the year gone by, but it's also about celebrating the birth of the person we think of when we think of giving without getting: Jesus.

It's also about celebrating the season: the snow, the camaraderie it endears, etc. Witness the song "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" and others. There is something about the Christmas season that brings us all together, or that should.

You don't have to be of any faith to celebrate Christmas. Think of it as that time of year when you realize that the seasons change and that snow falls and that you and I bestow presents on those we love. Why now? Why not? It's the deepest, darkest part of winter, so why not give to those we love? Probably more presents than they deserve and that you can afford. But it's the time when we go over our limits and lavish gifts. It doesn't happen any other time of the year, except maybe birthdays, and birthdays are limited to one person: Christmas celebrates us all.

And if you're not a Christian, you don't have to buy into all the beautiful hymns to Jesus. You can celebrate with songs about Santa and Frosty the Snowman and even Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. You can sing Jingle Bells or Walking in a Winter Wonderland or Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire or Here Comes Santa Claus or I'll Be Home for Christmas. All terrific songs, easy to sing along with; none even remotely religious but all honoring the spirit of Christmas. Why not think of Christmas as a time when we can decorate our homes -- or drive around admiring others' decorations -- and just enjoy each others' company at parties with lots of eggnog?

We can sing lots of songs around the piano or the tree that have nothing to do with the Jesus thing. A whole mythology has grown up around Christmas, but, when you come right down to it, the holiday season is all about giving and about family and really, what more do we need to celebrate than that?

I'm not particularly religious, but I can sing -- off-key -- "Silent Night" with the same fervor I sing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". It's all about feeling the spirit of the season. And the spirit is there, whatever your faith.

Christmas is not just about Jesus, though I think he would approve of Santa Claus. In the end, it's just about feeling good about our future as humans. Jesus would like that, no?