Racoon Posted December 5, 2006 Report Posted December 5, 2006 Do You Celebrate Christmas? or Chanukkah? and If so, why? We celebrate Christmas because thats just what people do around here, although I am not attached to the religious ceremony of it. Its one of those things that as a kid and growing up you look forward too.Presents, food and sweets, family and friends gathering and attempting to be merry. B) Aside from all the commercialism and theological incantations.. It is a nice day off and a welcome chance to express some love, warmth, gratitude, and generosity. Thoughts on Christmas? what it means, and what it symbolizes?
Buffy Posted December 5, 2006 Report Posted December 5, 2006 Yes, both, because we've got a very mixed family: Jewish, Protestant, Pagan, and Secular Humanist to boot. We light the candles and the tree and the bonfire. Great fun is had by all. We've also got several folks in the family who prefer "alternative" gifts, like giving to charitable organizations in the name of the recipient, and I push this idea (at the behest of one of my niece's who is a fanatic about it) whenever I can. Any excuse for a party, :cup: Buffy
InfiniteNow Posted December 5, 2006 Report Posted December 5, 2006 Any excuse for a partyAbsolutely. It's a time to come together. I like the giving and receiving of gifts as well... It is many things, but mostly habit. :cup:
Zythryn Posted December 5, 2006 Report Posted December 5, 2006 I celebrate the general goodwill. People just seem more friendly, and more giving. While not religious, many I know are. So part of the celebration is based in tradition as well.
DFINITLYDISTRUBD Posted December 5, 2006 Report Posted December 5, 2006 We celebrate Christmas because thats just what people do around here, although I am not attached to the religious ceremony of it. Its one of those things that as a kid and growing up you look forward too.Presents, food and sweets, family and friends gathering and attempting to be merry. key words.....ATTEMPTING TO BE MERRY!!!! Incedently I celebrate christmas...don't really care too anymore..but have to for the youngins. (God I'll be glad when their grown!)
Jay-qu Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 Like Buffy aptly put it, any excuse for a party :lol:
theblackalchemist Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 i do it though not fully , india is a secular country allowing anyone to celebrate any festival they wantto mention it i also celebrate easter sunday, diwali , etc .. .
Tormod Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 My family celebrates Christmas although we have none of the Christian aspects of it. We have a Christmas tree and we eat traditional food (and drink) and swap gifts. My parents and in-laws usually visit the graves of relatives to put fresh flowers etc.
Spiked Blood Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 I don't celebrate Christmas. In part to do with my religious upbringing and also that in my country Christmas is essentially about your children. And thank lord Lucy I have none. New year is party time in my neck of the gloom.
gribbon Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 Bearing in mind that Jesus was born several months later, and not on the 25th Decemeber, it's actually more of a party than any celebration. It's only on the 25th December to keep up with paganism.:eek2:
cwes99_03 Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 Do to the pagan background of nearly every aspect, do to the idea that no Jews or Christians of the 1st century observed birthdays in the Bibledo to the idea that the two observances of birthdays were by "pagan" men who had men murdered as a part of their celebration. Not, no because of my beliefs. No because of Bible teachings. ADDITION:I give gifts to friends and family year round, I give to charitable organizations year round, I have food and fun times with family and friends year round. I always pray for peace and an end to all of the worlds problems. I don't need to focus one day a year on those things.
pgrmdave Posted December 6, 2006 Report Posted December 6, 2006 Yes, I celebrate it as a secular holiday - a time to be with family and friends, and to give gifts. It is a happy time, and I enjoy the idea of goodwill and peace on earth. Racoon 1
LJP07 Posted December 8, 2006 Report Posted December 8, 2006 Well, it should be celebrated by believers and non-believers for the following reasons: Believers:1. Get to celebrate, and honour Christ.2. Enjoy, forgive and have a good time.3. Pass on presents as a sign of good-will. Non-Believers:1. Time-off from work to enjoy.2. Get free presents which should be welcomed and celebrated.3. Drink more, socialise, and welcome the new year. x + y = z where x is believers, y nonbelievrs and z is celebration, here's how information can be derived from it, but not the actual equation, that's much too complicated and long: x + z = E, e for enjoyment. y + E = z , slight variation. Now equate:Multiply and divide by E and Z using simulateously.Ex + zE = E Squared.yz + zE = EzSubtract them to get:( Ex-yz ) = ( E + E^2z)Equate the Zy = E^2, so in the presence of believers, non believers have twice the amount of enjoyment that they expected. Ex = 0, this result means that there is no value for x ( believers ), the E( Enjoyment ) for x (Ex), is so strong for believers that a value to scale cannot be represented. = Everyone should be happy and celebrate Christmas if they chose to do so!! Tormod 1
Eclogite Posted December 8, 2006 Report Posted December 8, 2006 I didn't vote since there was no option which said: "Yes, but I am honest and call it Saturnalia."
IDMclean Posted December 8, 2006 Report Posted December 8, 2006 I celebrate my brother's birthday. Not Christmas. I used to celebrate the day for the reasons others did, but I have consistently seen my brother's birthday forgotten.
HydrogenBond Posted December 9, 2006 Report Posted December 9, 2006 The most fun part of Christmas is enjoying it through the eyes of smaller children. To them the magic has just appeared and/or is still there. I also like getting in the spirit by listening to x-mas music. A lot of beautiful music was inspired, over the years, by the brotherly/giving spirit of the Christmas season. It is also a time of big family parties that allow you so see relative you may only see once or so a year. Gift giving and recieving is nice but it is a bit over commercialized. The pressure is put on by the media, to give, in order to meet economic projections.
Buffy Posted December 9, 2006 Report Posted December 9, 2006 The most fun part of Christmas is enjoying it through the eyes of smaller children. To them the magic has just appeared and/or is still there. I also like getting in the spirit by listening to x-mas music. A lot of beautiful music was inspired, over the years, by the brotherly/giving spirit of the Christmas season.Amen! Ditto! Hang a shining star upon the highest bough, :phones:Buffy pgrmdave 1
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