Pagan's Holiday Terminology

When a Pagan first starts his or her path usually they become stressed during the holidays. You have family saying Merry Christmas while you on the other hand are still finding your Pagan self and getting a handle on how to celebrate Yule. Honestly, I've been on my Wiccan path now for 17 years, and I still call Yule Christmas.

Now, I didn't grow up in a very religious home. Though my mother is Christian she did me the courtesy of allowing me to experience the holidays in a secular way. The day wasn't about the Christ child being born, though I learned the story when my grandmother forced me to attend church one season.

To me, Christmas was about being together as a family. To appreciate one another and to welcome the end of a long year. It's still what it's about to me. So even though I am Pagan, I don't feel the pressure to use Pagan terminology. I know that what I'm really celebrating in my heart no matter what I call it. For me it's just easier and less stressful for non-Pagan family to reference it as Christmas.

I've always stressed to do what feels right for you. If you feel you must call this Holiday season Yule, so be it! If not, that's OK too.

Anyone else still say Christmas instead of Yule?