Christmas used to be a celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. But over the years it's been changing. Now the main focus of Cristmas is Santa, and is little elves making toys for all the kids.

1st off, christmas sets up a time for us to lie to our children. We tell them there's a Santa so they have something to believe in. Then when they grow older, we tell them the truth, and they hate us for a day or two. Not only are we lying to them, but we are also drawing their attention from the true meaning of Christmas

Media has shaped Christmas into anything but a Christian holiday, which is cool for non-believers, because they get to join in with the holiday, but every year Christ's birth gets put further and further in the back of everyone's mind.

I say we give Christmas up to the gluttons, and the greedy people. Is celebrating the birth of Christ really that important? Is hearing "...and they wrapped him in swaddling clothes..." year after year in church really important? Martin Luther King Jr. had a significant impact on this world correct? do we celebrate his birth? no! we celebrate what he did with his life! we should do the same with Christ, along with celebrating his ressurection(like we do)! now of course his resurrection couldn't happen without his birth, but is it that important that we should celebrate it?

In my humble opinion it is of the utmost importance considering the current state of the world. To remember to birth of the one true savior, the one who died so that I may be saved, the one who washed away my sins. Yes we must never stop celebrating Christmas and the true Christmas.

christians are so arrogant "the one true savior"what makes you even think that christianity is the ONE religion?

The whole gift giving and yule tide and christmas tree thing was taken from Yule (the winter solstice celebration for anciant pagans in Ireland/England/Norway europe area) to help convert people over. That's why Christmas is on the 25th. So honestly, if you guys want to give back the pagan celebrations, and figure out when Jesus was really born so youcan celebrate his birth as your saviour... Go for it. =)

This isn't a jab, this is encouragment. Celebrating what you hold dear is importaint. Why let our pagan celebration ways muddle yours any longer?

umm...we do. sure its not a huge thing like christmas but we still do. besides people want to make a statue of MLK jr in washington DC. but they need the support and funds to do it. ill try and find the site.
there are 2 public elementry schools where i live that are named after him.

Hello you seem to be a person who knows alot about the bible.
could you help me with some things that have confused me for a while now.
not sure what page, but it is at the crucifixion and jesus is on the cross and god spoke saying something like, this is your mother this is your brother, jesus freak who was god talking to...........you see of all the people i spoke to on this subject they said that god was talking to jesus....but i don't think so i think he was talking to mary and favourite disciple saying this is your mother , this is your brother.....am i wrong?
and i had a really terrible time with and then the beast would be let out , to go about his business after jesus had his 1000 yr rule, which didn't make sense to me, unless it was letting us know that if we think about it properly, we would understand that because it was written it would come to pass and so it means that the devil/satan would be allowed back on the earth because it was already being guaranteed that he would be changed......does that make sense. sometimes i think in all truthfulness alot of the punctuation has been put in the wrong place, which could be because punctuation only came about a mere 500 yrs ago.
i'm just totally not sure how to read the bible, can't read it the way it is presented.

also i think that though god is omnipotent, i don't believe at this time jesus has any power, as yet, cos there is no way a decent fella would let some of the things happen that happen and not to stop it, if he had the power to (omnipotent)
i think that the only time jesus can get his power and come here is if something comes to pass that gives him the power, cos at the moment he is not all powerful, but will be, and so i think people are right in a way when they think he does not exist, because in a way he doesn't yet.
what do you think, do you think i lost the plot???
also apologies for not having exact reference from the bible pages, i would have to go search to find the pages i;m talking bout.

Mx

Atheists are so arrogant. What makes you so sure the Christ was not our Lord and Savior?

Lol, you know... I find it ironic that we celebrate the birth of the savior in a religion that condemns lying, by lying.

let me see there are more religions that have a son of god, o and maybe the fact that jesus never existed? why is krishna or mahdi or [insert son of god hear] not the ONE? Basically, there are no non-biblical references to a historical Jesus by any known historian of the time during and after Jesus's purported advent. Walker says, "No literate person of his own time mentioned him in any known writing." Eminent Hellenistic Jewish historian and philosopher Philo alive at the purported time of Jesus, makes no mention of him. Nor do any of the some 40 other historians who wrote during the first one to two centuries of the Common Era. "Enough of the writings of [these] authors...remain to form a library. Yet in this mass of Jewish and Pagan literature, aside from two forged passages in the works of a Jewish author, and two disputed passages in the works of Roman writers, there is to be found no mention of Jesus Christ."28 Their silence is deafening testimony against the historicizers. No proof that jesus ever existed and people believe in it like cattle. Buddha Quetzlcoatl Krishna why are they not our savior. christianity is hyped up like halo 2

Just to be on the same page as you, dear...

What's the lie?

(bare with me, I just got some good news so my mind is at about half here, half celebrating)

Santa Claus.

I don't make toys at all, whatcha talkin 'bout?! lol.......

Of course we should celebrate Christmas. What you would rather celebrate killing Jesus instead of His birth? Yes, Easter should also be observed, but it's more a solemn time (until the Resurrection), Christmas, however, is celebrating Jesus coming to this Earth in the first place. Yes, Jesus already existed in Heaven (as did Mary, and you can dispute it all you want, you just talking to air), but the fact that God sent His Son here SHOULD be celebrated.

I find it appaling that when my younger sister was at school (she now does home schooling as I did for mid high school years because of involvemnet in the music industry, my sister for other reasons) even way back in 1998 they were not celebrating Christmas because it 'offended other religions'. Well, this is a CHRISTIAN country, and I'd like to see a Muslim country stop their ramadon for Christians - that will NEVER happen, so, why should we compromise?

The fact that Christmas has Santa Clause is because there WAS once a 'Santa Clause' who was St. Nicholas, who at Christmas time gave a girl who couldn't get married a dowry so that she could, and that's where the idea that 'Santa' (Santa Clause is a St. Nicohlas is it's country of origin) came from. So what if non-believers celebrate Christmas? Isn't it better that they celebrate it, than not at all? The reason you give presents is in remeberance of the 3 Wise Men giving Jesus presents at His birth.

While he may or may not have been based on a real guy... Yeah.

[QUOTE]Hello you seem to be a person who knows alot about the bible.
could you help me with some things that have confused me for a while now.
not sure what page, but it is at the crucifixion and jesus is on the cross and god spoke saying something like, this is your mother this is your brother, jesus freak who was god talking to...........[/quote]

Yes, Jesus was talking to His favorite desciple. Why do you pick this part out?

And yes of course Jesus has His own power, He IS part of God. I would say He also had His own power on Earth, but then again, He was here as a human being (though He is not human, He is part of God), so, maybe while He was here, His power came from His Father.

The thing about satan and all this, look this 'beast' DID get into the Vatican, which is why Christianity has changed from the way it was originally intended to be.

[/QUOTE]let me see there are more religions that have a son of god, o and maybe the fact that jesus never existed? why is krishna or mahdi or [insert son of god hear] not the ONE? [/quote]

Not ALL the books about Jesus have been put in the Bible. Jesus WENT to Asia, and they have taken what was said and miconstrued it. Even Muslims have an account of the Angel Gabriel (which they actually believe exists - in fact they believe that the names of the angels to be EXACTLY the same, with the same appearances - no, they don't all look human - same ranks, and jobs as the Hebrews) going to Mary telling Her about the birth of Jesus. So, get out of that one.

No... This is not a Christian country. The only reason why it looks it is because the Christians are the loudest. Yes, Christianity is the top religion here... but that doesn't mean they own this country. You forget that this place is a melting pot. This is a country for EVERYONE reguardless of race or religion.

Ashley, we do celebrate the fact that Jesus died on easter, but we celebrate that because he died for our sins, and rose from the dead! and i think it's cool to give gifts to people on christmas, but santa is taking over christmas... it should be about Jesus Christ, not some creepy fat dude in a red suit, that uses magic to fly around the world.

Truth
Truth

Christmas for me is a day of sharing the joys,love and happiness.I don't mind it's myths or truth but 1 things i am sure is that.It's a day of decorating,enjoying,sharing,caring for the poor etc.And the best parts is that when i see either the kids or adults exhanging these present.sThe joys in their faces can rule all the hearts of the people in the world.And these beautiful decorations of lightning and hanging items on the tree are so amazing which nothing can take over it.

I don't mind this great day carry on forever.

SilverCougar,

Who said I live in your country?


Yes, it should be more about Jesus, but try explaining that to atheists.

Gee I don't know... maybe a general assumption. You don't have it selected as to where you are. When you go off about how "this is a Christian Country" and argueing the fact with people from people who are from the same country....

Just to set the record straight:

You people need to get a life.


On to something else now:

Anyone who stomps on someone elses religion is 'arrogant'. Believe what you want. You don't have the right to bludgeon someone else for their belief system.

If it were up to me>>>>>>>>>>>and it ain't...........................I would do away with the whole spirituality aspect of this forum. Practically every thread eventually ends up in 'bashing' of one sort or another.

Some of you folks are so insecure in what your own beliefs are, Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, etc.......a lot of you are not secure enough to hold on to your faith in your hearts....you feel a need to blather it all over the web and argue to the Nth degree with anyone who disagrees with your 'faith'.

Christmas is what it is. If you don't like it...don't celebrate it. If you don't like the aspect of Santa, don't 'flow' with it.

Now, go on out there... all you little pagans, atheists, and christians who have nothing better to do with the 'faith' in your heart, than clog up the internet waves with your negative tones....and get a life.

hmmmmmmmmmmm.....maybe this belongs in Snuffy's 'rant' thread

*snickers* Turned over a leaf, Joc? I remember when you faught for your faith on these boards. I'm sorry, but telling people here to "get a life" can be turned to you as well. If you don't like it, don't read.. don't reply, and get a life and stop telling others what they should do by it.

Let's see; as has already been said many aspects of our Christmas celebration were based on Pagan Rites, and the date of it was moved to coincide more closely with Saturnalia. Even "St. Nicholas" more closely resembles a Germanic Forest God than the Bishop of Smyrna..
I don't think Christmas is being given away so much as changing again. People always b**** about change but it's a necessary thing and it happens no matter what you do.

Some Christian children in this country do not get presents and yet they still celebrate Christmas. I don't know about you but I've seen How The Grinch Stole Christmas and it really shows something about us. Little children don't understand who Jesus is... it's really hard for parents to explain...

On NO account do I think we should give up Christmas... Do you mean we should give up easter because it's only about the Easter Bunny? Or Hannuka(sp.) because people are only thinking about presents. Fact is...we're not. I go to church every year on christmas, and I see little children praying with their moms and dads. We are not only caring about gifts

Not exactly 'fighting' for my 'faith', rather fighting those who, for whatever reason, want to bash my 'faith'. I have said repeatedly that I don't care what others believe...worship a ham sandwich, I don't really care....but that it was intolerant to bash someone else's beliefs just because you don't agree with them.

Offering an opinion on someones belief as in...EX: that is absurd... is one thing; bashing someone's religious beliefs is quite another and I for one am sick of it.

The 'get a life' phrase is directed towards those who have a tendency to 'bash' other's belief systems. I am not telling others what they 'should' do...rather what they 'should not' do ...namely...bash or make fun of or in any other way impune someone elses religious beliefs.

I celebrare christmas as Yule. A witches Sabbat.

Blessed Be.

Nightshade
xxx.

Christmas has become the most corrupted, commercialized holiday in the history of the world. I do not consider myself a Christian but I still love to celebrate Christmas, to meet with family, and of course, no one can pass up gifts, but it should not be that way. I do not believe Jesus to be an all-powerful, just a great man that came to the Earth and helped a lot of people understand, his birth should still be celebrated.

Gift giving has corrupted it. Nothing but gifts is what children think of, PRESENTS PRESENTS PRESENTS, WANT MORE. If you give a gift at Christmas, 90% of you are not putting your heart into it, defeating the purpose in the first place. A gift isn't just junk made in china to please the kid for a few days, it's something they need or really, really want, and you think they deserve. You want to show love and care towards them by getting something they need and helping in the long run, not stocking up on sh** toys that will break the next morning.

I want to hold the Icelandic traditions during Christmas. The festivities span several days, but on Joladagur (Christmas Day) families and groups of people get together to have fun, drink a wonderfully delicious non-alcoholic drink called Malt, and just celebrate. The only gift required to be given is a new article of clothing, otherwise the Christmas Cat will get the children without one! People do give gifts, but if they do, it's out of love and logic, not mindless purchasing power.

Think twice before going Christmas shopping this year, otherwise one of the 9 creatures of Christmas will put a potato in your shoe if you leave it on the windowsill.

Yes I do agree with you that people of today has corrupted christmas.

Blessed Be.

Nightshade.
xxx.

Holly, Christmas trees, lights, deer, the star on the tree, the date are all Pagan. Santa Claus is christian. Here is a painting of him. Anyway it is a nice holiday of giving and love. You make it what you want it to be. If you want more Jesus you put more Jesus in it. If you want more Santa then that is what you put in it. Me, it is Yule the return of the Sun the end of winter. Joy and Happiness of the Season. What ever you make it.

Well said Darkwind.

Blessed Be.
xxx.

I remember in the Vicar of Dibley once....

Vicar: Now, can anyone tell me who invented Christmas?

kid 1: Noel Edmunds!

Vicar: ....no....anyone else?

kid 2: Jesus?

Vicar: Yes! Now, can anyone tell me what's special about Jesus?

kid 3: His name's a swear word!


That is about as much meaning as the spiritual side has to kids anymore....to be honest, the spiritual side NEVER had any importance to me in the slightest. Christmas is a family holiday now, not a religious one. Doesn't have much to do with Jesus either to be honest....he was born in the summer

And this is why I love you