The meaning of Christmas

[Dadu2004]

You know, this is probably more of a vent/rant than something I actually expect to change... it just really irritates me that the real meaning of Christmas has been lost. I mean, it's been really lost.

What is Christmas about? It's about people spending boatloads of money on meaningless toys and products. It's about people bitching about standing in line, yelling at store cashiers who are doing nothing more than trying to earn a living for their family. It's about retailers that refuse to say "Merry Christmas" and won't display Christmas trees and presents and garland. It's about people who won't recognize the birth of the Savior because it might hurt the Jewish guy's feelings. Christmas is about people complaining that they have to drive an hour to see their family. It's about people who only go to church 1 time per year.

Is this what we've come to?

Christmas is about the birth of the Savior. Christmas is about spending time with our loved ones and being content in their company. It's about showing love and compassion to those around us and helping those in need. It's about appreciating what you have, knowing that there's far less fortunate people in this world. It's about singing Christmas Carols, sharing a meal with your loved ones, saying "Merry Christmas" and shaking the hand of a complete stranger, it's about going to church and saying "Thank You Lord for saving me", it's about unconditional love for all of mankind.

Our society is one of such greed, selfishness, and the need to "retailize" the most sacred of holidays.... and it breaks my heart.

[IADad]

Thanks for the reminder, it's a good thing for us to keep in perspective as wel train our kids about christmas.. How excited to we get about the lord's birth vs how excited we get,how much emphasis we put on gifts, and parties and decorations...
If your heart is broken, please remember that many of us a struggling with trying to remember the true meaning of christmas. Your caring and sharing does make a difference.

[Jeremy+3]

Sol Invictus, the Roman festival of the unconquered sun.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by Dadu2004

It's about people bitching about standing in line, yelling at store cashiers who are doing nothing more than trying to earn a living for their family.

Ugh tell me about it. Everything is always somehow the cashier's fault.

Originally Posted by Dadu2004

What is Christmas about?

Where I do believe in God, I am not particularly religious. I know its not technically correct, but Christmas for me is about family and love, and kind of a special magic you only feel around that time. In a way for me, it is kind of about presents. Not for myself, but for my baby and the people I love. I can't wait to see his eyes light up at the sight of his new toys, you know? I love to show the people I care about that they matter to me by spending time with them and giving them a gift I took the time to ponder over and choose especially for them.

I don't pretend to know or practice the precise purpose of Christmas, but I do think my attempts come from the heart anyway.

[Dadu2004]

Originally Posted by Jeremy+3

Sol Invictus, the Roman festival of the unconquered sun.

Huh?

[Jeremy+3]

Originally Posted by Dadu2004

Huh?

The anniversary of the sun, called the winter solstice by Pagans, though Pagans have now been forced to move their celebration due to certain members of Christianity using this day in an effort to convert Pagans to Christianity. Where we are from though, instead of persuasion you were executed if you wouldn't convert from Paganism to Christianity, me thinks those Christians probably couldn't read!

[Dadu2004]

I have no interest in getting into a religious debate with you; that's not what this thread is about.

[Jeremy+3]

What debate?

[NinJaBob]

There was actually a fight in the front of the line that we were in at Toys R Us over Zu Zu pets. I was embarrassed for them and their families.

[Xero]

You don't think what you just said is rude at all, Jeremy? Steve is a Christian, I mean what the hell. You should think a little before you blurt out something offensive like that. You're clearly putting down his beliefs with no consideration for his personal feelings. That's incredibly thoughtless and rude.

I see no good reason for those statements other than for you to be a smartass.