why do you do it or dont you ?

reading a few posts got me thinking ( shall have a lie down later )

CHRISTMAS do you believe in " CHRIST " and celebrate it for this reason

do you have the pressies and the gathering but not believe in the Guff behind it

do you not believe and not take part

i have noticed that it seems the people that DO CHRISTmas seem to enjoy it more as the pressure is not about the amount spent but the thought and often the effort, am i alone in this thinking,

I have not started this thread as a BIBLE BASH op just purely how people view this time of year !


I BELIEVE IN "CHRISTMAS" just so its out there, i also believe we are all free to choose....

your thoughts ......?

 

I personally don't believe that Jesus was any more divine than anyone else. I believe he was a good lad, but without going to great lengths to explain my unorthodox beliefs, I believe everything in nature is part of the greater whole and is therefore divine. Christmas doesn't really play any part in my spiritual beliefs.

Christmas for me is about time with friends and family, one of the rare occasions when most of us have time off work at the same time.

 

ok with Jesus out of the picture, you enjoy it for a Family time and celebration in that respect, do you feel any Social pressure to spend money that you dont have or do you like Myself enjoy for what YOU SEE the season to be about ?

 

The main 'pressure' is when its my turn to do the christmas dinner (I'm doing it this year), and its pressure I put on myself. I just like to make sure everyone is well fed, so I spend more than I would like to on meat, veg and wine.

That said, when it is my turn, my mam always buys and roasts the turkey, and she always does a good job of that. I've spent about a tenner on a big joint of pork which I have to roast, and unfortunately my roasting skills are a bit hit and miss (although I should say, when roasting pork, best add a generous drop of good cider in the foil with it).

 

The midwinter feast goes back a lot further than Christianity. It was Christianised in the same way they assimilated Eostre the spring festival.

source - Bible Answers.
Its likely that a midwinter festival was 2 fold, one reason being to cheer everyone up in the darkest time of the year, the other to use up food that would be starting to go rancid.

Most animals were slaughtered in November (Blood Month in the Saxon calendar) and would need using up by midwinter.

So there has long been a good reason to fatten up to see us through the hungry gap.

 

Never!

But, I do enjoy "giving" because I "can" - whether that is my time, money or otherwise. I never feel pressured to spend money if I don't have it. Because, if I don't *have* it, how on earth can I spend it? (I was brought up with a healthy respect for money by two very wise parents).

 

Christmas is a special time,specialy for us big kids.

Do I believe?.....Well yes,I was brought up that way.....and yes when I am in trouble I pray.
Apart from weddings and funerals I go to church once a year to our local Carol Service at Christmas just to say thanks mate for getting me through another year.
I remember all the Carols from when I was at school and I enjoy a good sing.
When I am in that beautiful old building,I kind of feel special.

Good post Kaz.

 

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

Yes, I believe in keeping CHRIST in Christmas and the "real" meaning around it.
Too many things have happened in my life from me not to believe in miracles and there is a higher power.

 

In our family - and way back - Christmas was for the kids.
Whatever else, they had to have a great time.
The fact that the adults can also enjoy themselves is a bonus. I prefer Christmas to New Year.
I'm too unsociable to go and get drunk with loads of people I don't know. I prefer to mellow in comfort at home with family and a few nibbles - it's an easier trip to bed!

 

Me personally it's about spending time with the family, although my in laws are devout Catholics so for them there is the religious side of Christmas. It is the only time really throughout the year that the 2 Families come together and we always make a good day of it. As for the pressures of presents as the family is expanding at quite a rate we only buy presents for the kids.

Rusty

 

i like the honesty being shared on this thread thanks keep them coming

 

The way I see it.. so many young children see and want so much or want what their friends have,their parents because of work pressure(not being with children) feel that should buy what the child wants at any time of year.

The children do not know the true meaning of Christmas. So having a gift at this time of year, is no different than any other times of year. If they only had a stocking filled with an orange, nuts maybe a little toy, I would like to see their faces. there is too much commercialism, and I know in my 1st marriage(my husband being one of 9) where their kids grew up, there was a lot of who got more than the other family in the way of presents, it got too much.

I am not a killjoy, but my past does not lend to having a good time at Christmas, so I tried for my children's sake to instil the true meaning.

I do not go to church, (though my parents who were Catholic) and dragged me through all the usual gamut of rites. As an adult I lost my faith, seeing how rich the church is and it's doctrine about women. So I do believe in a spirit, and hope that in my next life to meet up with family long gone..who knows?

We are going to my husbands nephews this year, and it will be nice to meet up with family not seen for many years. However his mother who will be there is a devout Catholic..so God help us all.... I aim to have a good time, eating a little, drinking a little, everything in moderation. May you and yours have a peaceful one.

 

oh, Liliana, I get the devout Catholic thing too. My husband raised Catholic, alter boy, catholic schools, catholic college. He and I have been married now 24 years. He has never gone to a Catholic service in that time. His parents were that devout Catholic type also. I am not Catholic, attend my faith church often, can't say weekly. He may attend one of my services if I fuss some. Both husband's parents now gone, we would spend Christmas with them every year. His mother said something to me so hurtful once, will never forget it. She said "OH, I wish all my children married Catholics". I wondered what was so special, since "he" could care less about going to church. But did not say anything back to her, not worth it.