Christmas Beyond Belief: (ELD)

Christmas is a season filled with joy,

warmth, and special traditions.

But what if we could go beyond the usual idea of Christmas?

In this article, I’d like to introduce a new concept called ELD,

a way of thinking that goes beyond the traditional image of Christmas.

---

The Model Behind Santa Claus

Santa Claus, the symbol of Christmas,

has a long history and various origins.

He is often said to be inspired by Saint Nicholas,

a figure known for kindness, generosity, and caring for others.

Over time, this image evolved into the Santa we know today—

bringing gifts, smiles, and happiness during the holiday season.

---

A Christmas Event Lover’s Personal Take

As someone who truly loves Christmas events,

skydolphin-M-, a big fan of festive seasons,

would like to share a personal explanation of this idea.

This is not an academic theory or an official definition—

just a fun and heartfelt concept, written freely and creatively.

---

Introducing “ELD” — A Concept I Created

ELD is a concept I created on my own,

inspired by the joy of Christmas but not limited to it.

It’s about keeping the warmth, kindness, and excitement of Christmas

alive throughout the year, without being tied to a single day or event.

In the following sections, I’ll explain what ELD means to me

and how this idea connects to the spirit of Christmas—

and goes even further.

Beyond Christmas: A New Way to Celebrate Love — ELD

Rethinking Christmas in a Multicultural World

In Japan, Christmas is often less about religion

and more about atmosphere.

It has become a symbol of winter — lights, gifts,

warmth, and joy — rather than a strictly religious event.

I grew up without a strong religious background,

believing simply that Santa Claus brought presents.

It was magical, innocent, and fun.

Later in life, I realized something important.

My husband is Muslim, and Christmas has

never been part of him life.

Others around me follow Christianity.

And then there’s me — non-religious,

but still loving the joy and excitement of winter celebrations.

So I began to wonder:

Is there a way to celebrate the season

without tying it to any specific religion

— and without taking away the joy for children?

---

🌱 The Idea: Create Our Own Day

At first, before I had a child, I thought:

“Skipping Christmas sounds easy and saves money.”

But once my child was born… everything changed.

Seeing her excitement, her smile,

her belief in something magical —

I realized I didn’t want to give that up.

So instead of choosing between religions,

I chose something else:

Why not create a new day, just for our family?

A day that:

• Celebrates the season
• Makes children happy
• Feels special
• Has a brand-new name
• Respects all beliefs

---

Naming the Day: Embracing Love Day (ELD)

I wanted a name that:

• Avoids religious terms like Christ
• Feels warm and universal
• Focuses on values, not beliefs

After many ideas, one stood out:

Embracing Love Day

A day about kindness, warmth, and love

— the very heart of what people enjoy about Christmas.

We shortened it to:

ELD — Embracing Love Day

Simple. Neutral. Meaningful.

---

Reimagining “Santa”: North Light Caller

Next came the question:
If Santa isn’t Santa anymore… who brings the magic?

The goal was:

• No religious symbolism
• No fixed gender or role
• Still gentle, quiet, and magical
• A presence rather than a character

That’s how we created:

North Light Caller

A soft, winter presence —
like a northern light passing silently through the night,
bringing warmth and small surprises.

---

A Friendly Name: Nocti

Of course, children love nicknames.

After playing with words related to night and light,

we found the perfect one:

Nocti

From:

• Nocti (night)
• Lume (light)

Meaning: “The light that appears at night.”

Gentle. Mysterious. Friendly.

---

Why ELD Matters

ELD isn’t about replacing Christmas.
It’s about creating space.

A space where:

• Muslim families
• Christian families
• Non-religious families

can all celebrate without discomfort.

No beliefs are denied.
No traditions are taken away.

We simply focus on:

• Love
• Giving
• Warmth
• Family

---

Final Thoughts

You don’t need permission to create joy.
You don’t need a religion to celebrate kindness.

This winter, in our home, we celebrate:

ELD — Embracing Love Day
with Nocti, the North Light Caller.

And that’s more than enough

Japanese language blog is here