I know I won't be speaking for all ATCs, but I imagine that I'll be speaking for some.
Life revolves around work.
Although there are some problems with that statement, it rings true for most aspects of life. Most controllers find themselves missing out on some very important occurrences in life; maybe a niece or nephew's birthday party, a Christmas play, perhaps a special service at a place of worship, Thanksgiving meal at home, Christmas morning. These are just a few examples.
We can try to get time off (annual leave), call in sick, trade shifts, or just deal with it. After time, we and our families just continue on, knowing that it's part of the job. When I finally had Christmas day off, I didn't know what to do with the rest of the day(it had been years since I'd had it off)!
We are no different from the police, firemen, ER staff and the convenience store clerks. All of these workers and others like us miss out on many things that those with bankers hours never miss, and sometimes take for granted, like eating supper with your family or tucking your kids into bed each night. Sometimes it's the simplest things that mean the most.
The govt. does allow some flexibility for religious beliefs, but you sign on to work when told.
I attend church when I can. Live the life when I can't.