A German scholar reflects on the fading influence of religion on Christmas in Europe

In European countries such as Germany, Christmas is celebrated with fervor even as Europeans debate how much to emphasize the holiday's religious significance. But the conflict is complex. Much derives from a long-running debate over dividing church and state, said Alexander Görlach, the founder and editor-in-chief of "The European" magazine and a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He is researching the future of secularization.

In European countries such as Germany, Christmas is celebrated with fervor even as Europeans debate how much to emphasize the holiday's religious significance. But the conflict is complex. Much derives from a long-running debate over dividing church and state, said Alexander Görlach, the founder and editor-in-chief of "The European" magazine and a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He is researching the future of secularization.…