Anybody else feel this way about Christmas?

[skylercollins]

That last couple of years, as my son has gotten old enough to start asking for things for Christmas, I've only been able to think about how much I'm starting to dislike the current practice of celebrating Christmas. My wife and I have talked about having my son fill out a Christmas list, but not for things he wants. Rather, we would help him right down names of his friends and family and list what he wants to give to each of them for Christmas.

We've already decided (he's 3 now) that we weren't going to get him to believe in Santa. We want to get his focus on others and not himself, as this season seems to do for everyone. I just think that the most important holiday of the year, the celebration of the birth of Christ, has become too "mammon-ized". (Obviously he's aware of Santa and knows he's related to Christmas, but we'll help him understand who he is from an historical perspective.)

I actually felt strongly about boycotting the entire holiday when I read about that poor Wal-mart employee that was killed because of what Christmas has become. It's absolutely disgusting to me what people do these days because of Christmas. It makes me angry, you know? We're teaching my son (kids) that Christmas is about others, and Birthdays are about him. I think that will be a nice contrast and as long as we're consistent, everything will be alright.

[Hemidakota]

We celebrate the Savior and not the materials things of the world. I do understand your frustration for I have the same attitude but with my partner, I just go with the flow.

"BAAAAAAA HUMMMMBUG!!!!"

[MarginOfError]

You'll have to forgive me for not citing a reference right away, but the book I am basing my statement on is at home.

According the the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are naturally quite selfish up until age four or five. Thinking outside of their own experience requires a level of abstract thinking that children don't develop until a little later. So if your 3 year old seems a little selfish, it may be more developmental than parental. When you're making the list of what to give family and friends with your son, don't be surprised if he wants to give everyone the things that he wants to receive. (Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5)

But I like your approach. As his mind develops, he should adapt to selfless thought quite easily.

[BenRaines]

MOE, that is interesting that you say that regarding selfishness. My 2 yr old granddaughter was visiting us over the Thanksgiving holiday and almost everything she said was regarding ownership of things. That is my dog, that is your dog, that is you book, that is my toy. It was not that she was selfish but it was all about recognizing who owned what. Very interesting to watch.

As far as Christmas we recognize that it is important to teach our children the real reason for the season. One thing we did each year was get the kids to give away things that were in very good condition to avoid building up more and more things. You would not receive unless you gave.

We love the whole season but moderation in the commercialism.

Ben Raines

[Misshalfway]

I know of a family that doesn't buy Christmas presents for their kids. Instead all the children (teens and older now) work to gather donated goods and then they all travel to Mexico to give the goods to deserving/needy Mexican families. A couple of years ago they were asking for soccer balls so the kids wouldn't have to make their own out of trash. I don't spose we all have to do Christmas this way, but I think there are so many creative ways to teach and lead with examples of how to give back and get out of ourselves during the holiday. I would much rather see someone find a way to make the season meaningful than see the bah humbug cabosh on everything.

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

The first thing I learned about Christmas from my Grandmother Despain was that it was a hoax contrived by the Catholic Church to lure pagans. Jesus was born in April.

When I read the OT it became clear that it wasn't in December. All I had to do was look at sheepherders. Did they guard their flocks at night in December? Of course not. Spring and Summer.

When I got into Roman history, there was another clue: they collected taxes and did censuses in March and April. When do you you pay taxes right now?

Easter is legitimate (although the way the West computes it is bogus); Christmas is phonus balonus.

As I've said elsewhere, I'd like to move the celebration of Jesus's birth to where it belongs and let what is now falsely called Christmas merge with the other wonderful celebrations of the Winter Solstice.

[MarginOfError]

Wow...can we all say "Grinch!"

Long time no see Curmudgeon...good to have you back.

[rameumptom]

Hey, I have an idea! How about we make Christmas a holiday about Jesus!

The world seeks its own, and will corrupt all things in its worship of materialism/Mammon.

In our house, we have a few gifts, but most of the presents are reserved for birthdays. That way, we can focus on Christ and love of family.

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

Hey, I have an idea! How about we make Christmas a holiday about Jesus!

The world seeks its own, and will corrupt all things in its worship of materialism/Mammon.

In our house, we have a few gifts, but most of the presents are reserved for birthdays. That way, we can focus on Christ and love of family.

I agree with you completely. rameumptom. And since as LDS we know better, why not move it from December, where commercialism has already taken its toll, to April, where it belongs?

Why should we blindly follow the Catholics and the World when we know better?

[Captain_Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by MarginOfError

Wow...can we all say "Grinch!"

I hope you're not calling my grandmother, a granddaughter of Parley P. Pratt, a Grinch.