Depending on who is asking, the answer may be one of the following:
- Jesus
- Christians
- everybody (specifically, marketers and retailers)
- nobody – let’s have a go at it!

Seriously though, what matters is not who owns Christmas, but what she or he “does” with it. Jesus was born 2000 years ago, into the world desperate for a saviour (no much has changed, has it?). The power of love was His only weapon, to win us for us. Christians see Him as the only one; Buddhists, Jews and other faiths recognize him as one of many Avatars that appeared through the history. For the non-believers, he presents yet another opportunity to ridicule and belittle all that originates “out of this world”.

As for the exclusive ownership of Christmas that not so long ago belonged to Christians, it is arguably for the better, to see it whittled away. Jesus was born for the good of all humankind. He has inspired many; even those who lived and live free of the rules that all religions seek to impose. Rays of the star of Bethlehem continue to bring light into hearts and minds of many, and make them do good. Some of them do more for the humanity than all the statesmen and philanthropists put together. Being unable to desire anything for themselves, not even the joy of helping other, they are at peace knowing that God is good.

In times of uncertainty, where yesterday’s hero becomes today’s villain; where today’s gift gets exposed tomorrow as a bribe; where each of us is expected to create his or her own reality… without taking any responsibility for it; Christmas Day somehow survives.
If only could we accept the love that was conceived in the manger, and mark our life path with it, there would be nobody left to argue about who owns Christmas. Just as intended, when the “idea” was born…