If it doesn't bother you, it sure isn't going to bother me. Enjoy!

A true lover of humanity. It's not all about you. There's love and charity from you. I don't criticize those who don't follow our path. Some of them find a way to move in our direction. There's a freedom of not being pressured by those false beliefs and our head starting to clear up. It's an awesome experience. Hopefully they will find their way to the truth. Meanwhile, love the innocent and those that are confused. When they find out what we believe and see how we live our lives, they will not back away because we've hurt them or they fear us.. love you brother.

have fun and play Little Drummer Boy for me

I have little trouble with certain songs of the season as many of the tunes (I listen to instrumentals, not voice) were lifted by christians, originally not being religiously intended at all. Most of the old breton carols and celtic songs of the season are not religious, even in lyric. And... there's always the Nutcracker.

There's so much music I've been a part of, that was "religious" in nature. But the music was good (like Handel's Messiah, for instance, or many Bach pieces), and even though I sang some words I definitely did not believe, I enjoyed both the singing and the awesome sounds we made !

Doesn't mean any of it is gonna infiltrate the non-believing musicians ! Ha.

The main thing is you get fulfilled and are happy in participating,that’s all that really counts.

My girls are now in their 20s and 30s-when they were younger they took place in holiday school concerts-I'm ok with generic x-mas songs.

I see nothing wrong with Xmas celebrations despite more than 50 years of atheism. the music is beautiful and the tradition can increase the sense of community. You don't need to feel guilty for having a good at a party regardless whether you believe in the reason for the party or not.
The longest night and the coldest time of the year will always inspire people to come together whether we through Xmas away or not.

To me, the higher is sharing joyfully in this thing called life, no matter how it is interpreted.

I often play by-request piano bar sing-alongs, and I have three scheduled so far this month, at which I'll definitely be playing Christmas/holiday/seasonal songs. I'll play whatever anyone wants me to play. My boycotting their favored songs isn't going to change anything, it just creates disconnect, and I think compassion and connection are among the things most needed in this world. Not to mention, even I personally am moved by many religious songs, even if just because of their music rather than the lyrics. I think militant judgment is as unseemly in atheists/agnostics/etc. as it is in religious people.

No need to through out the Bach with the bathwater. I too, a devout atheist, enjoy the hundreds of years of music written for the season.

I do not understand any of this except joy in being with fellow musicians. Can’t you find another way to make toddlers smile? Maybe just giving them sweets (which will degrade teeth and health but what the heck) is enough to accomplish this apparently magical feat?
I have a musician friend who enjoys it but plays for money. That I understand. One fools themselves into enjoying what we do for money. To put up with Christian hymns for the sake of fun would not be possible for me.