[venusss]

I mean, the Christmas day is ONE DAY. So why make big fuss about it for weeks even months?

You can come together with family and friends in less forced settings.

How many people actually celebrate it for the Jesus aspect? There were no cut down trees or reindeers or snowmen and peppermint flavoured things in Bethlehem. (btw, peppermint is the nastiest flavour out there. Why would you want your cookies, candy or drinks taste like a toothpaste?)

It seems it only makes people stressed and depressed. Everybody feels compelled to spend more than they can afford on crap that will become pointless clutter before New Year's Day.

If you wanna celebrate it, go ahead... any reason to party.

But if you feel stressed and depressed... don't fuss. It's one day of a year and it doesn't really matter. That being said, i am spending the time with headphones on and some tunes to block out that fluffy crap music they play in stores.

(btw, why is everybody acting they are preparing for zombie apocalypse?)

[CloserToTheMid]

Thanks for expressing this. This is a helpful message. I do the Jesus part and the secular stuff. But the problem is expectations. People put so much energy into it with so many expectations. For goodness sake we put pressure on the skies to deliver snow. And when they don't, we get bummed out. That. Is. Messed. Up.

If we would just let go of what we think things SHOULD be, then we could more easily appreciate what's actually happening and what COULD be.

I like the music, decorations, egg nog, etc. But what really matters to me is the practice of Advent. It's the spiritual path to Christmas. It never disappoints. But that's not for everybody. I wouldn't put that on anyone. Not even my family. It's the path that is the most meaningful to me.

Merry...er..Holidays?

[seeker1950]

I'm totally dismayed by all the commercialism, that starts!! after Halloween! Since I'm basically alone, daughter and her family living overseas, in the past I've accepted invitations from friends and relatives to share in their Christmases, wherein I've bought thoughtful, often expensive gifts to participate in the gift openings. In return I got "freebies" they had stored away and Dollar Store rejects as gifts from them. Something was wrong with that picture, and I've learned to abstain from such gatherings. The whole gift giving thing is a money making scam anyway.

I like what Closertothemind said about the spiritual aspects of Christmas.

[emgreen]

I think one of the best Christmases I ever had was when I stayed home, ate pizza & watched TV.. I was single & depressed at the time, but it was a reief to be able to relax for a day.

[seeker1950]

Originally Posted by emgreen

I think one of the best Christmases I ever had was when I stayed home, ate pizza & watched TV.. I was single & depressed at the time, but it was a reief to be able to relax for a day.

Sounds like me!

[Blue_Bird]

It does matter, it matter's because it is the birth date of Jesus regardless of what you believe or not. Presents and stuff like that aren't even necessary it's more important to reflect on it and spend the day with family.

[TishaBuv]

The retailers and media hammer us with images of happy lovin' people living out this ideal fantasy theme that went way beyond celebrating a religion.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

It does matter, it matter's because it is the birth date of Jesus regardless of what you believe or not. Presents and stuff like that aren't even necessary it's more important to reflect on it and spend the day with family.

I never hear anything about Jesus. I hear buy buy buy buy buy buy buy....

[leejosepho]

...it is the birth date of Jesus...

The shepherds would not have been in the fields with their flocks at that time of year because of the cold weather, and the date of "Christmas" is actually the anniversary of the birth of Tammuz, son of Simaramus, wife of Nimrod, builder of Babel, where Simaramus said her son was a god and of supernatural birth. Either way, however, the sentiment certain people have had in the past has now been adulterated and commercialized to the point where people today spend money they do not have to buy things nobody really needs in order to try to impress or feel close to people many of them do even really like...and I stay as far away from all of that as possible.

[Aardwolf]

The only reason i have ever been able to see is for the commercial gain for retail...

[CloserToTheMid]

Originally Posted by leejosepho

The shepherds would not have been in the fields with their flocks at that time of year because of the cold weather, and the date of "Christmas" is actually the anniversary of the birth of Tammuz, son of Simaramus, wife of Nimrod, builder of Babel, where Simaramus said her son was a god and of supernatural birth. Either way, however, the sentiment certain people have had in the past has now been adulterated and commercialized to the point where people today spend money they do not have to buy things nobody really needs in order to try to impress or feel close to people many of them do even really like...and I stay as far away from all of that as possible.

Yes, Christmas being put on the 25 had a motive for sure. We know now that that is BS, in a sense. The story itself may be a bit of a myth. Who can say? But people get a little too literal. That really kills the magic of it. I like the story with the shepherds and angels and wise men, but it's what the story says about the event that's important. Shepherds were the lowest of the low and they got the first peek. It was a humble birth, not a kingly one. And so on. But I'll go the birds eye view. This story is about something so small and so good and so filled with light entering our lives in the darkest months. Make of it what you will. For me it means Emmanuel, God with us. Imagine, a God willing to take the most vulnerable form in order to bring us light and hope.

Now how you find that amidst our insane quest for the perfect "Christmas"...whatever that is...I cannot say. For me, I gotta go to church, light the candles, and sing the ancient songs.

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by CloserToTheMid

Yes, Christmas being put on the 25 had a motive for sure.

I have heard that had to do with combining the practices of believers and non-believers...and maybe so either group could do with it as they wish?

Originally Posted by CloserToTheMid

For me, I gotta go to church, light the candles, and sing the ancient songs.

I do not see how anyone can find fault with that, and I can respect the actions of people who do not try to insist that is what everyone must do.

[-jimi-]

I don't celebrate Christmas but of course others can if they want to.

But... it does annoy me when they start Christmas in end October. It shouldn't be 2 months! I think everyone would be happier if they didn't push it in the stores until December. And even then they don't have to overdo it, people will buy anyway!

When I was a kid there was informal rules when you could put up Christmassy stuff in your window (around 3 weeks before Christmas) and when you needed to take it down (13 Jan). But now people put it up in beginning of November and it stays until February.

What if I decided to celebrate my birthday for three months, a quarter of a full year??? People would think I was NUTS. But doing the same with Christmas is OK for some reason.

I would be OK with 3 weeks no more of Christmas. That is more than enough.

Over here we're extra crazy, Christmas is three days, 24, 25 and 26. The day people celebrate the most is the 24th.

Since I don't do Christmas my friend decided to give me a gift before Christmas. It was a really expensive natural soap. It is nice I guess. Just means I have to give her something. Sigh. Oh well.

[ken9018]

Even as a Christian, I wonder why they it's all commercialized so much. It should be more about Jesus and less about buying gifts and decorations. Yea the decor looks nice and it's cool to have presents but Jesus is wayy more important than those things. I guess people celebrate how they want to though.

[*Laurie*]

A good question, venusss. I suspect that many people use Christmas as a way to escape the hardship of life. I like the winter decorations, and even though I don't really celebrate Christmas (I'm sure I will be alone on the very day of December 25th), I have to admit that I wish my family would get together. I will be lonely...It's hard when everyone seems to be doing something special, but I'm just...Isolated. My birthday is on December 28th, and I know my family will use that day as our 'gathering day'. Which is very nice, it's just...there's a sadness to the whole holiday thing.

[Travelinglady]

Christmas is my favorite time, more than just a day. It's unfortunate it's so commercialized. That's for stores to make money. It do like the idea of Santa, though, who supposedly gives people nice gifts.

For us Christians, Christmas is the most special time of the year--other than Easter. For many it is a time of giving and showing others we care. I go the whole route--cards, gifts, decorating the house, Christmas movies and music, etc. It is the spirit of the thing.

It's sad when so many expectations are dashed. People do expect too much from a commercial standpoint. It's getting together with people that really matters--even if we just need to get out in malls and stores to enjoy the music and the decorations.

I'm sorry it's hard for some of you.

[The_little_didgee]

Expensive gifts seem to matter a lot more than Jesus. Personally I cannot stand the season and its music. Walking through a store or mall tortures my ears. I cannot wait until it is all over. The stress the season causes makes no sense to me. It is unnecessary.

I loved Christmas when I was a child. Now I refuse to celebrate it. I'm probably going to be alone this year.

I just want to point out that Jesus doesn't have the monopoly on festivals marking the 'birth of the sun'. All over the world light festivals are held by a number of religions and spiritual thought systems. In fact, Jesus wasn't born on December 25th at all. It was decided by a council of bishops around the mid-300s - a time coinciding with Saturnalia a widely recognized pagan holiday practised throughout the Roman world at the time.

As for Christmas, it is in numerous parts of the world celebrated over a period of two or more weeks (ie. the 12 Days of Christmas). This includes the very old tradition of celebrating the period between Christmas Day and Epiphany two weeks later (celebrating the day the wisemen arrived).

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I just want to point out that Jesus doesn't have the monopoly on festivals marking the 'birth of the sun'...wasn't born on December 25th at all.

Not only does He not have any monopoly on that kind of thing, but He actually has nothing whatsoever in common with any such day, festival or season...and quite possibly because none of those times ever allow Him to be anything other than a baby in a manager or someone being tortured.

Does anyone happen to know where in the bible it is said to *not* bring the tree inside the house and fasten it up with nails and decorate it?

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by leejosepho

Not only does He not have any monopoly on that kind of thing, but He actually has nothing whatsoever in common with any such day, festival or season...and quite possibly because none of those times ever allow Him to be anything other than a baby in a manager or someone being tortured.

Does anyone happen to know where in the bible it is said to *not* bring the tree inside the house and fasten it up with nails and decorate it?

I don't know where in the Bible it says anything about bringing trees inside, but I do know that cutting trees was severely frowned upon in Biblical times. Trees were (are) so scarce in the Holy Land. A severe insult to someone was to call him a 'tree feller'.

[leejosepho]

I just took a look and Jeremiah 10 is where sculpted-and-decorated trees are mentioned in relation to idolatry, and I have also found this (slightly edited):

There are multiple origins of decorating trees that pre-date the Christmas tree. Ancient (and modern) pagans would cut boughs of evergreens for decoration in their homes. Ancient Egyptians decorated their homes with palm tree branches. Greeks decorated evergreen trees as part of worship of their god Adonia. Pagan Romans would decorate trees with metal and replicas of Bacchus, a fertility god. Germans tied fruit and candles to trees in honor of their god Woden. [Hence, we] cannot accurately claim that decorating a tree is not related to pagan idol worship.

https://rarebible.wordpress.com/2010...ristmas-trees/

note: There is no intent to bash anything or anyone here, just a desire for sharing things to ponder.

[CloserToTheMid]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I don't know where in the Bible it says anything about bringing trees inside, but I do know that cutting trees was severely frowned upon in Biblical times. Trees were (are) so scarce in the Holy Land. A severe insult to someone was to call him a 'tree feller'.

A popular version of the history of the Christmas tree is that it started with the great protestant reformer Martin Luther in Germany in the 1500s. The evergreen tree is a symbol for eternal life. It also comes from even older pagan traditions of evergreens and holly.

[-jimi-]

Since I am pagan I used to celebrate the solstice. People in my country does not do this because Christmas is put about where the solstice is. No other celebration was put where summer solstice is so my people celebrate that a lot!

Anyway, I used to celebrate all the passings of the year. But I cannot be bothered anymore. When I was young I could put myself (and whomever wanted to join) in my little bubble. I don't know how to do that anymore, so I simply cannot celebrate the solstice because everyone's Christmas is getting under my skin. It really stresses me out. And ruins what celebration I might have.

Winter Solstice (Or summer if you are in the southern hemisphere) is the 21 December.

That day, sun sets at 2:40 PM where I live. For me here in Europe it seems like the longest night is from 20 Dec, by 1 second compared to the night after.

According to myths, you can speak with the dead on this night. Animals will also be able to talk to you, in your language.

Some people here, say that by tradition that stuff happens between the 12 and 13 December, and that it is also important not to fall asleep during that night because

Possible trigger:

if you do, you might be taken by the dark powers.

If you wake, or wake up normal, we celebrate that here with light processions and coffee and Christmas bun in bed. Or the light celebration is standardized and happens later that day. It happens on TV, in schools, daycare etc.

[Baker#88]

I usually spend the day, alone with my dogs. Might make a TV dinner or something to eat. It is just way to commercialized for my liking. If my kids and grand kids come over for a little while that is fine. If not, it`s me and the dogs and they mooch most of my dinner as it is!!!

One word "retail".

Working in retail I can vouch first hand for how Christmas is the biggest sales opportunity of the year - it's when retailers use all their tactics (subtle and not so subtle) that this is an important event and you will fail at it unless you buy more stuff.

Except that buying more stuff doesn't really make people happier. As long as we have enough that is all we need. If you are Christian that is the message Christ gave.

Then comes January and the inevitable purge, people have eaten too much, spent too much and so that is a very lean month.