c h i e f y Member Posts: 415 From: Surrey, United Kingdom Registered: 03-07-2002 |
christmas was once a time where the family would be together, shops all closed, empty high streets, family "parlour games", evening church services overflowing/full to the top carol singing, christmas stories, songs, family visits/get togethers what has been happening though? more and more shops adopting the attitude, we'll stay open 24/7 over the christmas/ new year FINE but the staff have to come from SOMEWHERE somebody's family is then missing a member of their family, working christmas for a "fat bribe" what a crying shame, how long ago was it that ALL shops were closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day and half of Christmas Eve too? well, the (UK) government (the Secretary for trade and industry) has just written to all the big supermarkets saying CLOSE dOWN over Christmas and the Daily Express backs her saying : "no one should be forced to work for sheer commercial interests at Christmas. It is and should ever remain a holy day." well, what WILL the big supermarkets do? I reckon they'll open 24/7 like last year, flippin' shame I say, what about you? ------------------ |
Krylar Administrator Posts: 502 From: MD, USA Registered: 03-05-2001 |
Heya, The thing that bothers me about Christmas is that it's been used as a way to exploit the name of Christ into a marketing frenzy. In reality, though, it's not even about Christ anymore...it's about Santa Claus and making money. While we do share gifts on Christmas and such, we also make sure to talk about the importance of what the day signifies. It's like throwing Him a party each year. Well, that's my 2 cents. -Krylar ------------------ |
Klumsy Administrator Posts: 1061 From: Port Angeles, WA, USA Registered: 10-25-2001 |
i grieve with you also kryler, But God's grace is sufficent, and i am sure many have recieved Christ via something to do with christmas. ------------------ |
Ty Member Posts: 45 From: England Registered: 05-15-2002 |
One thing that amused me was a friend who said "What's so special about Christmas anyway?" o.o! When I replied "Oh, just the birth of Jesus Christ" I was shot many a strange look! I don't think it's just Christianity that's suffering from a lack of 'new members' though. I think there's a general apathy toward religion these days. Which is a shame really, as a lot of people are missing out on the peace and love which we Christians hold so dear. All the more encouragement for us to spread the good news then! ------------------ |
jesse Junior Member Posts: 7 From: Lansing, NC USA Registered: 07-02-2002 |
Wasn't Christmas based on an old pagan holiday? Wasn't Christ born sometime around October-November? (Near Feast of Tabernacles, which is based on Jewish calendar, so date fluctuates in Gregorian calendar.) I agree whole heartedly with celebrating the birth of our Lord. But let's get rid of the whole tree in the living room. Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (KJV). Let's get rid of this goofy fat guy who hogs Christ's glory, and get down to what it's really about. -Jess |
D-SIPL Moderator Posts: 1345 From: Maesteg, Wales Registered: 07-21-2001 |
I totally agree with you all. But for non-christians there is something special about christmas, it's when all the family can get together and meet up with eachother. There's a unity about it. Now i'm not saying that we should forget Jesus at christmas at all. But all the bells and whistles that go with christmas is what brings the family together. --D-SIPL |
Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Ah yes, I got smacked around quiet a bit when I mention such things during the holidays. People view it as "tradition" and are stubborn to change. ------------------ |
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nfektious Member Posts: 408 From: Registered: 10-25-2002 |
... [This message has been edited by Nfektious (edited November 26, 2002).] |
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jesse Junior Member Posts: 7 From: Lansing, NC USA Registered: 07-02-2002 |
D-sipl, I know what you mean. But those bells and whistles are detracting from the glory of God. As every year passes and these practices are taught to more and more children, the intent behind Christmas fades. The longer we as Christians sit quiet, the harder it will be to reverse the damage. I don't like the idea of tossing out traditions I grew up with any more than you do, but I truly believe it has to be done. -J |
lostreflections Member Posts: 131 From: Registered: 05-29-2002 |
Putting the Christian aspect aside, I had a lot of great Christmas memories as a kid growing up in Virginia and I looked forward to it and the season. Christmas completely lost all meaning for me when I was 15 and we moved to Florida. After the first Christmas there, it had no meaning. When you are cutting your grass Christmas eve for a cookout the next day, that kind of kills the tradition. My 2nd to last year there, my car broke down on Christmas eve and I was trying to fix the CV joint/drive shaft and it started snowing. Didn't stick, but was nice to see snow in FL. After living there 8 years and moving to CA for 18months, and then here in Maryland since '91, and having a winter season again, I just cannot get into Christmas. I still love the great Christmas movies, but thats it. I don't have a Christmas spirit anymore. ------------------ Brice |
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D-SIPL Moderator Posts: 1345 From: Maesteg, Wales Registered: 07-21-2001 |
quote: I agree. But i think you also have to have a balance. We celebrate Jesus's birthday as well as holding down the traditions as well. It's the traditional things that made Christmas that little bit extra special. The feeling of unity in the family for one-time in the year. Having a laugh and joke, sharing story's over Christmas dinner. The decorations, the time spent putting them up, everyone helping out. It's great! We don't want people to say that they're not coming round on Christmas day because we're going to ram the bible down they're throat. But the christian side of the family all get together and have a time of praise and worship, because we don't want to forget the true meaning of Christmas. --D-SIPL |
