is it too early...

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Is this where I get to say that the evidence points to the fact that there's no way Jesus was born anywhere near the month of December and of all the special events and dates the Bible records, the date of the birth of the Messiah isn't one of them?

Actually, all that said, Christmas...even in just the religious sense, is a very interesting thing. About ten years or so ago, my family decided not to celebrate Christmas at all and I mean zero, zip, nada. My wife and I made the decision based on our beliefs, the Biblical record, and the history of the origins of Christmas but were concerned about how the kids would react (they were all in elementary school at the time).

Surprisingly, they didn't bat an eye. I figured the "Christmas-present-feeding-frenzy" would be sorely missed by them, but they didn't have a problem at all. My *parents* had a problem and they started treating Channukah (which we do celebrate) as a substitute Christmas. We had to convince them that Channukah is really a very minor holiday and encouraged my parents to give all their big gifts to the kids on their birthdays (which are all in the summer).

After several years, my folks (my Mother really) settled down and there was no longer an apparent issue between them and us on the subject.

I have to say that to this day, I feel fantastically liberated in not having to celebrate Christmas in any way shape or form. It sure is easy on the bank account and I can completely avoid having to do any unnecessary shopping in late November and throughout December.

For awhile, I used to actually hate Christmas and shoot off my big mouth about how theologically, it's a totally pagan holiday, regardless of how it's painted up by the church but I eventually saw that I was having a bad attitude. Last year, I had a conversation with my son Michael (now a young adult) about Christmas. While we both continue to enjoy a sense of freedom at this time of year, we do see at least a few people using Christmas as an occasion to especially behave in the spirit of their Savior by giving gifts, visiting the sick, and otherwise behaving as Christians should 24/7/365. In that sense, we don't have any issues with that kind of Christmas. If everyone used Christmas as an occasion to treat their fellow in a kinder and more compassionate way, then I really would want it to be "Christmas all year round".

 

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Indeed. Infact the celebration of the Birth of Christ was moved to this time solely so that it matched a Pagan celebration - Yule. Easter was the same (Actually a celebration of the Goddess Eostar - a fertility goddess - hence the eggs and the chocolate (an aphrodisiac), and the bunny).

The theory was that its easier to convert people from one religion to another if their celebrations are largely similar. People like their piss-ups.

 

i like christmas, obviously not for religious reasons, but more so because my wife, kids, and i get to spend time with family. we normally end up at either our house, my parents, or my sisters house. normally its us, my parents, and sometimes my sister and her family or my aunt and uncle and their family. good quality family time to get together. thats what christmas is about to me.

 

You are correct... but that's irrelevant... it's the day set aside to celebrate that event.

It's also likely that Jesus wasn't resurrected on a Sunday in March or April, following a particular cycle of the moon... but we still celebrate that event on Easter.

 

Unfortunately, that's entirely accurate.

If you can't beat 'em... take over their festivals.

 

Actually, I understand Easter least of all. I mean, there was already a perfectly good Biblical event in place on which to celebrate the event...Passover. After all, you don't think the "last supper" was just a random meal...

 

Personnally i believe that if we stuck to Pagan religions we would have more holidays to celebrate stuff. But i'm not religious and don't see the point in christmas. If i want to give presents to somebody there's thier birthdays, fathers day, mothers day etc or i can just give them if i'm in the mood for no special reason. However i'ma miserable tight barsteward who couldnt give a damn and wants to keep everything to myself.

me have a bad day??? what ever gives you that idea? now go find an electriacl socket to water!!

Oh by the way did i already say Bah' Humbug to christmas?

 

Exactly!

I agree that those holidays should have been left well enough alone rather than jump on the pagan holiday bandwagon... but if the current holidays serve a positive purpose, then so be it.

 

It's far too early to make mention of that Pagan festival.

Humbug!

AW

 

be it too early or not i've started the thread so tough

so what would people like for Christmas ?

grim

 

The stripper from this thread:

http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=20774

 

There's nothing I really need. My wife and I have agreed to not buy presents for each other this year... we'll just focus on the kids. That's where I get my enjoyment, anyway.

 

I'm waiting for the January clearance sales.

 

I would like some money for the January sales and maybe the last A-TEAM season to complete my collection

Although the last series sucked a bit.

 

I will let my avatar show what i want for Christmas, but seriously folks all i want is quality time with the Wife and kids. Christmas is too commercialised by far but it is a time for family and loved ones.