re: "Why deprive children (and adults) the of joys celebrations good things that have happened? - I doubt that your God wants you to be continuously miserable."
You've got it so wrong with your lack of understanding.. on the contrary, we are joyous/happy people who celebrate life (that Jehovah God gives us) in sharing the Good news of the Bible with everyone (about the coming of God's Kingdom to be established soon here on a paradise earth).
With today, we have a great get together BBQ/Food Festival with music/dance (and yes we enjoy wine/laughter in moderation) etc. but no Santa Claus/Christmas trees/presents or other pagan traditions. It is simply the sharing of wonderful food from all cultures along with good company in showing love and kindness to one another in peace/happiness without the risk of drunkards/bad language/bad behaviour/violence/insults etc. The things we see on the 6pm news are not reflected in our get together's so it's a safe haven to flock too. Once you taste/see how we live you'll soon realise that there is a much better way of life without the sad commercialism/materialism of this so called Christmas/greed spirit etc.
