athiest Roman Catholic, that is too funny... describes alot of Catholics, sadly, but not all. I was raised Roman Catholic, so I am used to Christmas, but kinda found atheism and left hte church, but I am trying to not be hypocritical and celebrate the birth of Christ, if you know what I mean. I learned in school last year that Yule was orignially a pagan holiday where they brought in evergreens to ensure that plants would come back after the winter (origin of the Christmas tree) I will have to ask my sis about your French customs, she was living in France for Christmas last year(she was studying for a semester there). She loves it there. (No one please take offense to anything in this post! Just my beliefs!)