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11-20-2002, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Practicing Being IN the world but not OF the world
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The superfluous Christmas Season....
I was just wondering if anybody does anything in the Christmas season that actually gives praise/honor/thanks to the person's birthday we are celebrating! Jesus Christ! I am so fed up with the commercialization of Christmas, not by the media, but by self-proclaimed Christians! The holiday season for so many is about eating good meals and giving/receiving gifts. And people get into debt for the rest of the year, all over one day.
Does anyone make their children (or do it themselves) pray before opening gifts or attend church Christmas day?
Does anyone go to feed the homeless or donate money/food to the homeless on CHristmas day?
What are we teaching our children?...to simply expect gifts on Christmas?
I just want to know who out there actually celebrates the REAL meaning of Christmas!!
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11-20-2002, 11:39 AM
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Just to share
Years ago, I think I was 13 or so, we stopped all that stuff. No tree, decorations or gifts. We still ate, but we had a big prayer before we ate. At first it was kind of a blower (no gifts???--I was still young). But once I actually stopped to think about it, it all made sense. I mean, Christmas is supposed to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus (although it may or may ot have been that exact day, which doesn't matter, as long as we commemorate it). So, why are we getting gifts on someone else's birthday?? We should be giving gifts to Jesus, which would be to either give your life to Him, do something for those less fortunate than you, or sharing HIS gift with someone else. The older I got, the more the commercial, "traditional" Christmas bothered me. I'm 22 now, and we still don't "celebrate" Christmas.
Look at Santa. Now, St. Nick was a real person in Austria who gave gifts to the poor children around Christmas, so that's where that came from, but what sense is it to tell kids that some old man that flies around the world got them those gifts when you know good and well YOU worked all that overtime and stayed up al lnight wrapping those gifts. Are you saying that your children love an old white man more than you? That the gift would be more special comming from some made up character than their parents??? That's garbage if you ask me.
And like Love_Spell said, most people go into crucial debt to buy a whole bunch of stuff, sometimes for people they don't even like, not to mention cards, parties, etc. What's the point in that? And everyone is all stressed out cussing people out with a BIG attitude when its one of the joyous times of the year. That's ridiculous. Now I know that some people give with a kind heart, but it seems as if they are rare these days.
But what really gets me, and I'm not trying to affend anyone, is when non-Christians celebrate Christmas. I mean, how does that work? The whole purpose of the holiday, at least how most see it, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is in the Christian religion, so if you either don't have a religion or aren't necessarily Christian, then why do you celebrate Christmas? That has always confused me.
Anyway, I'll shut up now...
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12-06-2002, 12:57 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,406
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Christmas Eve services are my favorite part of the holiday...
I actually prefer Thanksgiving to Christmas because Christmas has become so stressful and commercialized... very sad.
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12-07-2002, 09:36 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 22,590
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The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"CHRISTWAS LOVE"
And, I believe, He still is.
__________________
I am a woman, I make mistakes. I make them often. God has given me a talent and that's it. ~ Jill Scott
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12-08-2002, 10:57 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: CA to VA to MD
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That is so touching  how wonderful.
I am the only one of my family that lives across the country, and it so hard to see them as often as I like. I hate having to pick either Thanksgiving or Christmas to see them. So this year I picked Christmas and I'm going to spend 2 beautiful weeks celebrating my family (and getting my eats ON  )
We don't give gift just on this day, but every day all year round so it will be just wonderful to be with them and remember why this holiday is special.
Happy Holiday to everyone, Sorors, D9, SisterFriends, BrotherFriends and GC!!!!!!!
__________________
We live today, only today and should live it carefully
for all we do, all we say..should kind and loving be!
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12-08-2002, 04:43 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Practicing Being IN the world but not OF the world
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CT4 - That sounds llike it could be straight out of a Christmas book! That was so sweet!
Merry CHRISTmas to everyyone
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12-08-2002, 05:37 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 134
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Re: Just to share
Quote:
Originally posted by poodleNtraining
Years ago, I think I was 13 or so, we stopped all that stuff. No tree, decorations or gifts. We still ate, but we had a big prayer before we ate. At first it was kind of a blower (no gifts???--I was still young). But once I actually stopped to think about it, it all made sense. I mean, Christmas is supposed to be the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus (although it may or may ot have been that exact day, which doesn't matter, as long as we commemorate it). So, why are we getting gifts on someone else's birthday?? We should be giving gifts to Jesus, which would be to either give your life to Him, do something for those less fortunate than you, or sharing HIS gift with someone else. The older I got, the more the commercial, "traditional" Christmas bothered me. I'm 22 now, and we still don't "celebrate" Christmas.
Look at Santa. Now, St. Nick was a real person in Austria who gave gifts to the poor children around Christmas, so that's where that came from, but what sense is it to tell kids that some old man that flies around the world got them those gifts when you know good and well YOU worked all that overtime and stayed up al lnight wrapping those gifts. Are you saying that your children love an old white man more than you? That the gift would be more special comming from some made up character than their parents??? That's garbage if you ask me.
And like Love_Spell said, most people go into crucial debt to buy a whole bunch of stuff, sometimes for people they don't even like, not to mention cards, parties, etc. What's the point in that? And everyone is all stressed out cussing people out with a BIG attitude when its one of the joyous times of the year. That's ridiculous. Now I know that some people give with a kind heart, but it seems as if they are rare these days.
But what really gets me, and I'm not trying to affend anyone, is when non-Christians celebrate Christmas. I mean, how does that work? The whole purpose of the holiday, at least how most see it, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is in the Christian religion, so if you either don't have a religion or aren't necessarily Christian, then why do you celebrate Christmas? That has always confused me.
Anyway, I'll shut up now...
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Well, technically Christmas isn't the birth of Christ, Christians didn't start celebrating X-Mas until like 300 years after his death. SO I personally don't see why it would bother non-christians to celbrate it because for many pagans, it was their holiday first, and besides the world is set up so that most people use their 2 week vacation time for something so why not give gifts in the spirt of giving and all of that...
You have many Christians you don't celebrate Christmas, myself included starting last year.
But even thought I dont celebrate Christmas anymore, some of these stories were touching.
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12-08-2002, 07:56 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: my house
Posts: 129
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Re: Re: Just to share
Quote:
Originally posted by NewBee
Well, technically Christmas isn't the birth of Christ, Christians didn't start celebrating X-Mas until like 300 years after his death. SO I personally don't see why it would bother non-christians to celbrate it because for many pagans, it was their holiday first, and besides the world is set up so that most people use their 2 week vacation time for something so why not give gifts in the spirt of giving and all of that...
You have many Christians you don't celebrate Christmas, myself included starting last year.
But even thought I dont celebrate Christmas anymore, some of these stories were touching.
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I know, me and my aunt talked about that last year. I don't celebrate it anymore either. But its just that today its seen as a, somewhat, "Christian" holiday, but without much Christianity involved. I do for people and give gifts all year, and I spoil people on THEIR birthdays. Christmas just seems weird to me these days. No offense to anyone, I'm not hatin!
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12-08-2002, 08:29 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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Re: Re: Just to share
Quote:
Originally posted by NewBee
Well, technically Christmas isn't the birth of Christ, Christians didn't start celebrating X-Mas until like 300 years after his death. SO I personally don't see why it would bother non-christians to celbrate it because for many pagans, it was their holiday first, and besides the world is set up so that most people use their 2 week vacation time for something so why not give gifts in the spirt of giving and all of that...
You have many Christians you don't celebrate Christmas, myself included starting last year.
But even thought I dont celebrate Christmas anymore, some of these stories were touching.
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It's no secret that December 25 is not the actual birth date of Jesus Christ, however, that is the day that Christians have chosen to honor our savior. The date isn't as important as what is actually being celebrated, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.
I will always celebrate Christmas for it's true meaning, but, not the meaning that society has deemed it to be. I think this is what many Christians mean when they say, they don't celebrate Christmas anymore. This goes for Easter as well.
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12-08-2002, 10:21 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Atlanta y'all!
Posts: 5,894
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It's really up to you.....
This post is coming from a Christian......
The commerciaization of holidays becomes a problem when YOU let it. No one says that you must give in and buy folks expensive gifts and rack up debt. Bump that! Given that our society only sees holidays as an opportunity to make money ( 9/11 will soon fall into that catorgery ) it would be foolish to expect retailers to be responsible. We ourselves should take that responsibility and celebrate the season in such a manner that is complementary of our beliefs.
IMHO, its nice to do something for the less fortunate during Christmas, but what about the other days of the year? I don't know about anyone else, but Christmas to me is kind of a reminder to myself of WHAT I should really matter......not just during the month of December, but throughtout the year.
I guess I must be the only person that sometimes let important things (such as family, quality time, etc.) fall to the wayside when trying to juggle work, school, friends, community committments, etc. It is soooo easy to do. Thankfully, during this time of year, when I am sitting around, I am reminded why GOD chose to do what He did. And I am also thankful for being apart of His family as well.
My family and I continue to celebrate Cristmas, with church service (on Christmas eve), food, family, and gifts. This time of year serves as a reminder as to what is important (or should be) in our lives. Not only are we together as a family, but we are also together as members of GOD's family.  Gifts are given as a reminder as to how special we are to each other, just as GOD's gift was to mankind.
Well, after this long post, I hope everyone has a nice holiday season!
__________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
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12-09-2002, 10:39 AM
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Re: It's really up to you.....
I completely agree with you!!!!
I will always decorate, sing my Christmas carols, exchange gifts, etc... on Christmas. It is my absolute favorite holiday, and I'm glad I was raised to know the true meaning. My mother never told us there was a Santa Claus, and said it was only an imaginary character. She always told us that Christmas was a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I can remember my mother telling us not to tell other kids that there was no Santa, but of course, being little kids, my brother and I couldn't keep our mouths shut. My mother said parents used to call her, saying that we upset their kids, because my brother and I would argue with kids, and tell them that Santa was fake!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
This post is coming from a Christian......
The commerciaization of holidays becomes a problem when YOU let it. No one says that you must give in and buy folks expensive gifts and rack up debt. Bump that! Given that our society only sees holidays as an opportunity to make money ( 9/11 will soon fall into that catorgery ) it would be foolish to expect retailers to be responsible. We ourselves should take that responsibility and celebrate the season in such a manner that is complementary of our beliefs.
IMHO, its nice to do something for the less fortunate during Christmas, but what about the other days of the year? I don't know about anyone else, but Christmas to me is kind of a reminder to myself of WHAT I should really matter......not just during the month of December, but throughtout the year.
I guess I must be the only person that sometimes let important things (such as family, quality time, etc.) fall to the wayside when trying to juggle work, school, friends, community committments, etc. It is soooo easy to do. Thankfully, during this time of year, when I am sitting around, I am reminded why GOD chose to do what He did. And I am also thankful for being apart of His family as well.
My family and I continue to celebrate Cristmas, with church service (on Christmas eve), food, family, and gifts. This time of year serves as a reminder as to what is important (or should be) in our lives. Not only are we together as a family, but we are also together as members of GOD's family. Gifts are given as a reminder as to how special we are to each other, just as GOD's gift was to mankind.
Well, after this long post, I hope everyone has a nice holiday season!
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12-09-2002, 02:12 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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My parents also told us there was no Santa Claus. Shoot, we didn't have a chimney anyways, so I am sure that we would have figured it out.
__________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
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12-09-2002, 02:57 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 134
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Its not just the fact that Christmas has been commercialized, although thats part of it. Most of these Christmas traditions, ie the gift exchange, the greenery, and such have roots in other that we Christians consider false. When you go back to the origins of things you realized that a lot of things we do as traditions are based on a lie. Christmas started off as the worship of the sungod Mithria sp? long before Christ was born. I am not trying to ruin it for anyone but it was brought up so. I dont know. Its hard for people to let go of things that they have been doing their entire lives. But for me, I look at Christmas as having pagan roots because if you read up on it you will discover that we celebrate Christmas in a way that made it convient for missionaries to spread Christianity to people but still let them keep their own form of worship. I am sorry if I offended anyone.
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12-09-2002, 03:01 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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P.S
I was watching a special on HGTV, wow I am embarrassed to say I watch that channel, and they were talking about the origins of Christmas traditions, did anyone see it. Well anyway, it was interesting that as more people started celebrating it and it got more pull, santa got bigger and the christmas tree got bigger. Both started off as super small entities and now they are both larger than life...
Just food for thougt.
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12-11-2002, 04:59 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Atlanta y'all!
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Stay with me on this one.......
Quote:
Originally posted by NewBee
Its not just the fact that Christmas has been commercialized, although thats part of it. Most of these Christmas traditions, ie the gift exchange, the greenery, and such have roots in other that we Christians consider false. When you go back to the origins of things you realized that a lot of things we do as traditions are based on a lie. Christmas started off as the worship of the sungod Mithria sp? long before Christ was born. I am not trying to ruin it for anyone but it was brought up so. I dont know. Its hard for people to let go of things that they have been doing their entire lives. But for me, I look at Christmas as having pagan roots because if you read up on it you will discover that we celebrate Christmas in a way that made it convient for missionaries to spread Christianity to people but still let them keep their own form of worship. I am sorry if I offended anyone.
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Your presentation as to the history of Christmas is interesting, albeit it is no different than gospel artist who use traditionally "secular music/beats" to spread the message of God's love. For example, rap was not created in order to preach about Christ. Now, rap music is used to do that. Given the origins of rap (or you may insert any form of secular music here), is the message of salvation any different, even though the means of which it is being delivered has non-christian roots?
To take it a step further, many of the everyday things that we do today (i.e. wearing of make-up, adorning of our bodies with jewelry, etc.) have stemmed from pagan beginnings, but over the centuries their meaning have evolved into what they are in today's society.
Even if the orgins of Christmas were pagan, in today's world for me and my family, we celebrate the birth of Christ, not Mithria (sp). There are things to go on today that have removed Mithria FAR from the picture.
As I posted earlier, the outrageous frenzy of Christmas comes from BIG BUSINESS who only cares about MONEY!! Shoot, I am sure if they figured out how to make money off of Mithria Day,  you would get a circular advertising the sale this sunday with your paper.
__________________
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone."
Last edited by Honeykiss1974; 12-11-2002 at 05:03 PM.
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