Anybody else feel this way about Christmas?

[pam]

Okay my two cents worth. I find nothing wrong in letting children believe in Santa Claus. However, when I've seen stories or movies about Santa I see him delivering ONE present to each little girl and boy. I don't see him bringing present after present to each. Here is where we have gotten out of hand. I am guilty as well with my own children.

I just feel kids need magical things such as Santa to believe in while children. That is part of the fun of being a kid. But it's how we teach the concept of Santa in moderation as to gifts is where we need to be careful. Saying they don't reminds of the story of Miracle on 54th street.

[FunkyTown]

Originally Posted by KristofferUmfrey

Just because Jesus may have been friendly with pagans doesn't mean he approved of their lifestyle or festivals. He was nice to whores and thieves... does that mean a woman can justify prostitution because Jesus didn't cast out the prostitutes or thieves can continue to steal because He had meals with them??

You're right, Kristoffer: We can't use any symbol or respect anything that has ever been used in Pagan mythology: No Christmas, no Easter, no worship on Sunday...

We can't celebrate the Resurrection(Since the Babylonian deity Bel also died and was resurrected), mourn our dead, discuss Heaven(Since Heaven is very similar to Nirvana, or the Buddhist lands where the Deva dwell), wear white clothing(Similar to the Vestal Virgins of Greece).

We also can't engage in the Sacrament(Due to the Pagan Book of Shadows).

Or, and I'm just pitching here, God told us to avoid Pagan rites and rituals because it diluted the meaning of his Word. Maybe, instead of telling us to pull ourselves wholeheartedly frm the world, he was telling us not to commit the sin of Solomon: Allowing those who didn't believe as we did to twist our beliefs.

You know? Maybe I've been too harsh on this whole 'Celebrating Christmas' thing. Maybe a season, not of excess, but of giving, of remembering our Lord... Maybe that would be a good thing. Yes. Yes, I think it is.

Merry Christmas, Kristoffer.

[KristofferUmfrey]

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

You're right, Kristoffer: We can't use any symbol or respect anything that has ever been used in Pagan mythology: No Christmas, no Easter, no worship on Sunday...

We can't celebrate the Resurrection(Since the Babylonian deity Bel also died and was resurrected), mourn our dead, discuss Heaven(Since Heaven is very similar to Nirvana, or the Buddhist lands where the Deva dwell), wear white clothing(Similar to the Vestal Virgins of Greece).

We also can't engage in the Sacrament(Due to the Pagan Book of Shadows).

Or, and I'm just pitching here, God told us to avoid Pagan rites and rituals because it diluted the meaning of his Word. Maybe, instead of telling us to pull ourselves wholeheartedly frm the world, he was telling us not to commit the sin of Solomon: Allowing those who didn't believe as we did to twist our beliefs.

You know? Maybe I've been too harsh on this whole 'Celebrating Christmas' thing. Maybe a season, not of excess, but of giving, of remembering our Lord... Maybe that would be a good thing. Yes. Yes, I think it is.

Merry Christmas, Kristoffer.

Happy Hanukkah.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

You know? Maybe I've been too harsh on this whole 'Celebrating Christmas' thing. Maybe a season, not of excess, but of giving, of remembering our Lord... Maybe that would be a good thing. Yes. Yes, I think it is.

Merry Christmas, Kristoffer.

It is I see nothing wrong with borrowing things from other religions that help teach of Christ - personally I have a prayer space in my home and cover my head when I pray because they help me concerntrate I try to keep just that corner spotless and even the children know its where they go to be quiet and think, I got this from a Pagan is it bad no of course it isn't, anymore than meditating is bad, its how you use the rituals.

At the time the Lord commanded us not to follow pagan rituals some scary things were happening, most neo pagans these days don't sacrifice humans or practise cannibalism etc And for me its lovely to have time to focus on Christ this months homeschool has centered on the plan of salvation and why Jesus being born is important, just like for Valentine's Day we get to cover love and charity, for Halloween and All Hallows Day we celebrate the winning of good over evil and have lessons around that, at candlemas we discuss the Temple. Epiphany is the wise men etc If we allow these times, whilst we should be always thinking of Christ we can focus more on Him at these times and use them to teach our children

-Charley

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Elgama

thanks Iggy - I will be using your post, my favourite is a Christingle - and orange with a candle stuck in it, red ribbon round, 4 sweets or peanuts,


Orange - the world
Red Ribbon - Blood of Christ
4 Sweets - 4 corners of the Earth, or Fruits of the Earth
candle - light of the world


-Charley

We made those in grade school - I never knew the meaning behind it. We also used plaster of paris and painted it orange. Then used clay to make the sweets- hard ribbon candy, again painted. Mom must have had close to dozens of them after all of us kids (7)finally got through with elementary school. We lived in a Scandinavian community in Seattle WA.

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by Iggy

We made those in grade school - I never knew the meaning behind it. We also used plaster of paris and painted it orange. Then used clay to make the sweets- hard ribbon candy, again painted. Mom must have had close to dozens of them after all of us kids (7)finally got through with elementary school. We lived in a Scandinavian community in Seattle WA.

They are usually handed out at a Church of England or other Prodestant Church on Christmas Eve at a special childrens service - the practice started in Moravia in I think the 1700s but was only introduced to England 40 years ago, I have always loved the service and usually take Ellie but our only local Chruch of England is on the RAF base so the Vicar is currently in Afghanistan so they have decided to have the service at Candlemass in February instead. I am going to make them myself this year Ellie is having a tea party week on Saturday and we are going to make them and wool Angel dolls for the tree.

-Charley

[countrygirl66]

Okay Okay I know this is a thread for "grinches"

When I started living with my family at almost 9, christmas was magic for me. We rode horses up into the mountains about the middle of december to cut down a tree for christmas then we would drag it back behind the horse. That night (after chores and cows) we would put the tree up with decorations, bubble lights, and icecicles. We would decorate our house for the holliday. My mom would make chili and sometimes homemade rootbeer. Over the hollidays we made candy for the pink lady candy sale. Boxes of food for the widows. We made sugar cookies (which took all day) and frosted them. On christmas eve my mom and dad would go shopping, my dad would buy us each a gift just from him. He would put it in a brand new paper sack and put it under the tree. We would open all of our gifts on Christmas eve and hang up our socks. In the morning santa had come and left what we desired most unwrapped under the tree for us. Our sock always had an orange in the toe. We would spend the day playing in the snow. My dad would tie my sled behind the tractor and take me in circles (I wore a helmet of course).

I want my kids to feel what I felt. (the love) The celebration was part of that. I don't think you have to overspend, but there was a joy that I felt from my parents loving the holiday. Them going shopping on christmas eve they were laughing and excited to go. I can still see the smiles that they had. I want my kids to feel like christmas is a day for time out. (from worries, bills, errands, and other stuff. It is a day to just play and eat cookies and listen to music and for mom to learn how to play halo.) I love the whole season. (but i seldom worry about the perfect gift) I make cinnamon rolls, fudge, cookies, divinity, carmels, rocky road, and ham. (how can you help but feel joy with that much sugar.) I remember president Hinkley saying something about children (I can't remember where) hoping that they would have something sweet to open on christmas.

[Elgama]

I agree countrygirl - I don;t the thread is for grinches at all just people deciding how is best to celebrate Christmas for them... for some people the pagan elements are just pretty decorations and in that case maybe they should not be used, but even if all they symbolise is warmth and love then Christ is in Christmas.,

-Charley

[Gwen]

one symbol can have many many meanings...... awareness ribbons being a prime example...

Purple Ribbon :
Meaning: This color is a symbol of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, domestic violence, ADD, alzheimer's, religious tolerance, animal abuse, the victims of 9/11 including the police and firefighters, Crohn's disease and colitis, cystic fibrosis, lupus, leimyosarcoma, and fibromyalgia

Yellow Ribbon :
Meaning: We've all seen this symbol used to support our troops, but it is also a symbol for MIA/POW, suicide prevention, adoptive parents, amber alerts, bladder cancer, spina bifida, endometriosis, and a general symbol for hope. A yellow ribbon with a heart is used to represent the survivors left behind after a suicide

you can find others here.... Awareness Ribbons Meanings and Colors

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

Heck! If it doesn't work for you, then celebrate in April. Wouldn't bother me. Just don't be throwing snowballs at me if I carol at your door. Ok?

Well, I don't chuck the Jehovah's Witnesses off the porch when they come to visit, so why should I be getting after you? Both of y'all think you're doing me a favor, so why should I act otherwise?

Reminds me, though, of a Christmas Eve back in the mid-80s. Blizzard out of nowhere totally shut down all traffic in Salt Lake City and some of the electricity. I was out in my hot tub, enjoying the stillness, the silence (obvious links to the solstice when you think about it), the darkness. I heard that crunching on snow that you only get at low temperatures -- a lot of it, a good-sized group of people, I could tell. They stopped on the street, a little beyond my driveway and between my house and the Perkins on the other side. And then, acapella of course, and wonderfully sung, one the old carols that I love. Then crunching of snow and then silence.

That's the only time in my adult life that I've felt anything approaching the "spirit of Christmas."

But it was profound and I'll never forget it.