Non-religious Quotes for Christmas (Holiday) Cards

Non-religious quotes to use in Christmas cards may seem like an oxymoron, as Christmas is considered to be a sacred Christian holiday, but many people who celebrate Christmas do so in a secular manner. This interested me to such an extent that I decided to do some research to break down the numbers.

Anywhere from 76-85% of adults in the United States self-identify as Christians, but only 59% of American adults are actively affiliated with a Christian faith group (ie- church, fellowship, meeting house, society). 96% of the US population celebrates Christmas, though.

It stands to reason that about 37% of the approximately 326 million people who celebrate Christmas in the US celebrate Christmas as a secular, not sacred, holiday. To put that in numbers, approximately 120 million people in the US do not observe Christmas as a religious holiday. Approximately 205 million people in the US do observe Christmas as a sacred holiday.

That being said, many people who make their own Christmas cards include secular wording. Here are some suggestions of quotations that can be used:

Christmas quotes that are spiritual without directly referring to Christianity:

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. ~Calvin Coolidge

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Christmas waves its magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. ~Charles Dana (Editorial in the New York Sun, 1897, responding to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon.)

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone. ~ Charles Schulz

Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique..." ~ Deborah Whipp

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~Agnes M. Pharo

Peace quotes to use on Christmas (Holiday) cards:

Peace is always beautiful. -- Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

It is possible to live in peace. -- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

All works of love are works of peace. -- Mother Theresa (1910-1997)

Peace is every step. -- Thich Nhat Hahn

All we are saying is give peace a chance. -- John Lennon (1940-1980)

To reach peace, teach peace. -- Pope John Paul II

If you want peace, work for justice.-- Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)

Quotes to use with pictures of children on Christmas (Holiday) cards:

Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~Mary Ellen Chase

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Whether your observation of Christmas is religious or non-religious, there is a common bond of peace and goodwill at this time of the year. These non-religious quotes for Christmas (Holiday) cards express that sentiment beautifully.

Sources:
http://www.quotegarden.com/christmas.html
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/quotes.html
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_christmas.html
http://www.wagingpeace.org/menu/issues/peace-&-war/start/peace-quotes/index.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/christmasholidayseason/a/Diversity.htm
http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=uspopulation&met=population&tdim=true&q=what+is+us+population
http://www.religioustolerance.org/us_rel1.htm