Humbug

[a-train]

There are various religious groups in existance that acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ, but disavow the Christmas Season as any God given holiday. Some of the Reformers pointed to Pagan origins and the fact that the Saviour's birth is known to have not occured on or around the date of Christmas and cried fowl. Concerned that the event was nothing more than Papal flexing of authority, these Puritan Englishmen succeded in actually banning Christmas in 1647, which ban lasted some 13 years.

It has been reported that Boston Puritans actually banned the celebration of Christmas from 1659 to 1681. There remains extant groups who do not engage Christmas (no need to name them here).

Can we get past the commercialistic materialism of the modern Christmas event, avail ourselves of some benefit from the practices of the Pagan holiday, and actually have an uplifting spiritually edifying event based on Christ, or should we throw the mess out as those who have decided to do so?

Is there any way whereby an evergreen covered in lights and ornaments placed in my living room can get me closer to the Saviour? Will renditions of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas or photos with Santa at the mall somehow teach our youth to value their faith in Jesus Christ more than any materialism? Should we feel neglectful for failing to observe Christmas? Are we letting our children down if we do not tell them that a man in a red suit is placing their favorite material objects in pretty boxes under our Christmas Tree?

If indeed we should avail ourselves of Christmas, how can we do so in a proper manner which will indeed give us and our loved ones a needed holiday centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

-a-train

PS, for those unaware, MORMONS DO HAVE CHRISTMAS AND THEY LOVE IT.

[the_jason]

There are various religious groups in existance that acknowledge the divinity of Jesus Christ, but disavow the Christmas Season as any God given holiday. Some of the Reformers pointed to Pagan origins and the fact that the Saviour's birth is known to have not occured on or around the date of Christmas and cried fowl.

So what? Can't we still celebrate His birth in December if we choose to? People need to get over themselves and stop being offended just for the sake of being offended. Get a life losers!

[Josie]

Keeping the reason for Christmas in our lives is up to each of us. If we choose to turn it into the worship of material things, meaning that is the most important part of it, then that is our choice. But, we can have it as a time of giving and family togetherness and still remember our Savior and what he gave to us.

As far as the lights, christmas tree, etc, yes, they can have meaning. It is the meaning we put on them that counts. The lights have always symbolized the light of Christ and the gospel to me. They have always signified the glory and light that Christ brought to each of us and continues to bring. It was a star that Shown in the East to guide the shepherds. Even God used a star to symbolize the birth of His only begotten, then should it not be good enough for us?

We were brought up from the beginning, with my Mom [who was not lds at the time] teaching us kids that Santa Claus represented the spirit of Christmas and giving to one another. Christmas was a time to give to each other as the shepherds gave to the Savior when they found him. It was a time to share and be together as a family and to be thankful for all that Jesus has done for us.

It did not matter what we gave, it was the spirit that we gave it in. Did we give it to fulfill what we thought was an obligation because anything would do, or did we give it because we loved and cared about the person and wanted to do something nice for them? It was not the cost, it was what was behind what we gave.

[Canuck Mormon]

For me, I understand that it is a "mam made" holiday and that Jesus was not born around this time of year. However, that doesn't mean I'm not celebrating his birth. We're not 100% sure as to when he was born, and the world seems to have decided that this is the time. Yes we have a tree with presents, Santa visits, we decorate and have a huge meal, but we also go to nativity pagents, Church Christmas events, and keep him in our hearts. It's like we've been told by our leaders, be in the world, but not of the world.

Merry Christmas!!!!

[prisonchaplain]

The Apostle Paul's instruction concerning "special days" was, obey what you believe God would have you to do. If you celebrate special days, give them unto God. If you choose to treat every day the same, then give every day unto God. So long as your intent is to glorify God, there appears to be liberty here.

[mightynancy]

For me and my family, Easter is a much holier holiday than Christmas.

During Christmas, we do study accounts of Christ's birth, and place special emphasis on the symbols currently used for the season, but it's also a time of light and fun.

Easter is our time for really digging deep to connect with the reason for the holiday. For me personally, it's a time of repentance and recommitment.

Every day is a day for striving to be better followers of Christ; I don't feel that stripping the lighthearted aspects of Christmas away will help us do that any better.

[Alaskagain]

A subject close to my heart!

Knowing that Jesus was likely not born in December; and knowing that our current celebration of Christmas began as a pagan holiday around the Winter Solstice . . .

For around 30 days out of the year, many people's hearts are turned to others' needs and wants. Even the "scroogiest" of people (who exchange gifts only because of social expectations, grumbling all the way) usually have at least one person they reallly want to do something meaningful for this time of year. For many families who do not have a relationship with any church, but maybe believe in some form of a God, or maybe don't believe in a deity at all, it is a time when they allow themselves to feel the spirit of joy - the spirit of giving - the spirit of Santa Claus - the spirit of charity - which all are (to me) inclusive in the spirit of Christ, even if they do not acknowledge it as such.

How wonderful it would be if we could celebrate Christmas on the 25th of every month. or the 14th, or the 6th, pick a date. (I know, "Live every day like it's Christmas", but really, I think I'll incorporate that into next year's calendar - maybe on the 25th of each month, really plan a special day for my family! In addition to FHE, etc.)

[Traveler]

For me and my family, Easter is a much holier holiday than Christmas.

During Christmas, we do study accounts of Christ's birth, and place special emphasis on the symbols currently used for the season, but it's also a time of light and fun.

Easter is our time for really digging deep to connect with the reason for the holiday. For me personally, it's a time of repentance and recommitment.

Every day is a day for striving to be better followers of Christ; I don't feel that stripping the lighthearted aspects of Christmas away will help us do that any better.

To understand the efforts to "Paganize" the two most important Christian celebrations one need look no further than the names of the holy days – Christmas and Easter. I have never figured out why the Christians that do not celebrate mass call this holiday Christmas and the title of Easter has nothing at all to do with Christianity.

However, I do believe that G-d does send a special spirit among man during these times to turn hearts towards peace and good will towards men. For that reason, I do all I can to take advantage of the influences of holy spirits and enjoy their influence in the hearts of man.

The Traveler

[pushka]

A subject close to my heart!

Knowing that Jesus was likely not born in December; and knowing that our current celebration of Christmas began as a pagan holiday around the Winter Solstice . . .

For around 30 days out of the year, many people's hearts are turned to others' needs and wants. Even the "scroogiest" of people (who exchange gifts only because of social expectations, grumbling all the way) usually have at least one person they reallly want to do something meaningful for this time of year. For many families who do not have a relationship with any church, but maybe believe in some form of a God, or maybe don't believe in a deity at all, it is a time when they allow themselves to feel the spirit of joy - the spirit of giving - the spirit of Santa Claus - the spirit of charity - which all are (to me) inclusive in the spirit of Christ, even if they do not acknowledge it as such.

How wonderful it would be if we could celebrate Christmas on the 25th of every month. or the 14th, or the 6th, pick a date. (I know, "Live every day like it's Christmas", but really, I think I'll incorporate that into next year's calendar - maybe on the 25th of each month, really plan a special day for my family! In addition to FHE, etc.)

A wonderful post and a wonderful idea Alaska! :)

Up until Tuesday this week, I was feeling really depressed about Christmas this year...I was so low that it was painful for me to hear Christmas songs/carols, see Christmas decorations or to hear what everyone was planning to do over the season...Finally, on Tuesday evening, following a meal with lots of people from a Drop-In centre I attend, the Spirit filled me!! I lit my Christmas tree and got out the box of Christmas Crackers that I didn't even open last year, and got my rolls of paper out to wrap the presents...(I had started to buy them because that's what everyone does, lol. I'm not a scrooge, but I was so afraid that Christmas had just turned into a time where families got into large debt and where thieves took advantage of the generosity of others) Today I started to do my Christmas Shopping, and loved it!!!

I love the idea of making a special day every month, and of thinking of others more on that day...

No Bah Humbug for me this year!

[Palerider]

I love this time of year.....its great.....you can have your holidays....I will take Christmas and Santa Claus and celebrate the birth of Christ....Luke 2:15,16.

[a-train]

I think it is marvelous that we get to have such a celebration that is so vastly observed and so commonly rooted in the coming of the LORD in the flesh. I don't care that it is on the wrong date and fitted with a stock of accoutrements that seem to invoke the worship of mammon more than God. Like everything else in this world, it is our attitude and willingness to seize opportunities when they arrive that will keep us open to benefit.

We have few other days that our nation will pause and allow us to be with family and friends in the worship of God. The Sabbath is but another business day at this point. I'll take one once a year if that is all we can get regardless of which day of the week it falls on.

I hope to make my gifts more spiritual in nature, gift cards to department stores just say: 'I don't know your wants or needs, but I wanted to check you off my list.' No disrespect to those who give such gifts. I bought three gift cards today. I just hope I can be more thoughtful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-a-train

[blackcat]

Ok, folks here is my addition to this humbug thing! Sure Christmas is commercialized. We(the world) go over board to buy things for others, and party like there is no tomorrow at this time of year. I believe it's the foolish who choose not to remember or believe in Christ and do their best to ruin it for the rest of us believers. For example, taking "Christ" out of Christmas because it may offend others. In schools and in advertisements and more examples. How many times do we truly think of those who are needy, those in other countries who need hope and help. Sure, we think of those when they make the news that something bad is happening in that country or the homeless are ruining businesses because they are crowding their businesses (to get heat, shelter or pocket change). December is the only month that I see or know that others are willing to give money(people ringing bells, carring kettles)or other things. Sure, I would like to help out more financally(but can't $)I give in other ways and sure I struggle like most but thats not what I am saying. December isn't the only month out of the year that people need. Its the only time that I see most of the world comes together to give, to go to church and so on. If there wasn't a Christ who died for us and showed us how to give, would our(world)hearts still pour out more or even at all at this time? God is the true giver after all He did give us His Son. Who (Christ)gave His life and showed us how to care for each other and those who truly need. Understand, that I am not talking about all people are not true givers, there are many good examples around the world.

To the reason we(the world) celebrate in December just study things on Christmas and Santa I really like the history channel. I walk away saying wow! I didn't know that stuff cool.

Maybe I went off topic here! A little something made me get on my little soap box. I am getting off it now. I am getting just a little bit tired. OOps, please give my rantings just my thoughts and opinions on this subject.

[mightynancy]

To understand the efforts to "Paganize" the two most important Christian celebrations one need look no further than the names of the holy days – Christmas and Easter. I have never figured out why the Christians that do not celebrate mass call this holiday Christmas and the title of Easter has nothing at all to do with Christianity.

Actually, it's the other way around...if we have the history correct, we're Christianizing some Pagan holidays...whatever!

I use the common English terms for these holidays so as to avoid confusion. Most people are entirely unaware of the roots of the words they speak. Even those of us who love language often use terms that are technically inappropriate in order to communicate clearly in the present. I realize that it's physically impossible for my son to be hysterical, but it's an apt word for his reaction to a tragedy. I shouldn't call Labor Day a holiday at all...it's not holy in the least.

I imagine I could put my foot down and call Christmas and Easter something else...but that wouldn't change what the holidays themselves mean to me.

[Alaskagain]

December isn't the only month out of the year that people need.

That's so true! My idea is evolving . . . for next year's calendar, my "special" day each month might just be a family charity day when we all do volunteer work together. Makes me feel good just to think about it!

[Moksha]

I always liked ol' Ebenezer Scrooge much better after the visitation by the three Christmas Spirits. How about you?

[Palerider]

I always liked ol' Ebenezer Scrooge much better after the visitation by the three Christmas Spirits. How about you?

I like that movie and A Miracle on 34th Street....Its a Wonderfull life....and both Home Alone 1 and 2

[CrimsonKairos]

When all us kids lived at home growing up, every Christmas my family would watch "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott, as part of our family tradition. After the movie, when we were all aglow with good will towards men () we'd go anonymously deliver bags of groceries to the doorsteps of needy families in our ward. Then we'd come home and eat some food and open presents (yep, we do the German tradition of presents on Christmas Eve). B)

[Annabelli]

I do believe that the Jews are right about the days that we celebrate and how we celebrate them. There are Holy Days and Festivals. Most people are just trying to wring a Holy Day out of a Festival and it's not working.

It's hard to understand why the LDS lesson plans are not correlated with the holidays. It was a real bummer to study the Atonement in July. I almost puked when they tried to celebrate the Passover on Thanksgiving. (If you are going to down some bitter herbs, you should learn how! And you should do it on Passover!!!)

If Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birth in April, he would not have inspired Christmas Trees and Presents and a Coke Song to unite us in Peace & Harmony.

{And by the way, I remember when Christmas becames a pegan holiday. It is when Daddy stops footing the bill and the kids going on 20 years old and beyond have to assume the expense! Oh and for those who want clothes for Christmas but never like the fashions that they picked out and received...I just give them clothes hangers!)

Merry Christmas

[Alaskagain]

and a Very Merry Christmas to you, Annabelli!

[Palerider]

and a Very Merry Christmas to you, Annabelli!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mightynancy]

Most people are just trying to wring a Holy Day out of a Festival

Succinctly said! I did a lot of hand-wringing about making Christmas this high holy thing for my kids. When I gave it deeper thought, I came to the conclusion that Easter, er, sorry Traveler, the Day When We Recognize the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is more important as far as holiness goes, and that teaching my kids to be generous, to know the prophecies surrounding Christ's birth, and whatnot is certainly enough for Christmastime.

[Elphaba]

I ran across this poster a year ago or so and thought it was interesting. Obviously it's Uncle Sam, rolling up his sleeve and going to work for the sake of the WWII effort, sacrificing even Christmas. The poster is part of the collection at The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

However, I could not verify that anyone actually boycotted Christmas, so I'm not sure the government even used the poster.

In fact, I found the opposite. Americans back home made sure the soldiers were lavished with Christmas goodies so they could have a taste of the celebration while they were making such huge sacrifices for their country. Christmas was a time for Americans to involve themselves in the war effort even more than was possible in their ordinary every day lives. It was as if Christmas and the War effort were intertwined.

Included in this, of course, were the advertisers. According to The American Democracy Project at South Bend Indiana:

"The salesmen writing their pitches knew how hard wartime was on people; how Americans missed their loved ones serving in the military overseas, how they worried about them, how they yearned for them to be home, and how this made holiday feelings more intense. Christmas this year means “more than ever”, said a promotion for Whitman’s Chocolates in 1943. It was a time when “fondly-remembered things mean more,” and hence what could be better than a gift of candy to a serviceman? But Whitman also hastened to add that, if those at home couldn’t necessarily find their favorite chocolates in stores, it was because so many were going to our boys at the front. Indeed, companies touted just how much they were doing for former employees now in the military. Kroger trumpeted how their employees in the service each got a free fruitcake at Christmas. "

"The U.S. government used holiday poetry to urge consumers to buy U.S. Savings Bonds at Christmas: “Someday Yuletide bells will ring merrily again/and once more there will be laughter, joy, and mirth,” said one government public service ad. “Someday Christmas carolers will sing again/those songs we love that tell of ‘peace on earth’/ someday hearts will beat as they return again/ the husband father son…the neighbor’s boy/someday Christmas lights will brightly burn again/ illuminating those filled with joy.” It concluded: “Americans will observe this wartime ‘Holiday Season’ with but a single thought and purpose: the determination to focus all our energies and efforts on final victory.”

"An ad for Chesterfield cigarettes showed Santa Claus, with a big bag full of smokes to distribute to American soldiers at the front, with a typical GI helmet clamped on his head. "

I love reading how our fellow Americans, most of them gone now, celebrated the holiday as if the soldiers were in the other room rather than 3000 mles away. Christmas was not complete without their loved ones, and they made sure they knew it. While I hate our soldiers going through the same today, I am moved by the courage they and their families show. I am not that couragous.

Most of all, I love the beauty of humanity during this season.

Merry Christmas,

Elphaba

[Maedoc]

I think many of tend to forget Christ and everything He has done for us. Any event that stirs us back to remembrance of Him, if only for a little while, is a good thing in my opinion, even if from pagan origins.

[prisonchaplain]

I do believe that the Jews are right about the days that we celebrate and how we celebrate them. There are Holy Days and Festivals. Most people are just trying to wring a Holy Day out of a Festival and it's not working.

It's hard to understand why the LDS lesson plans are not correlated with the holidays. It was a real bummer to study the Atonement in July. I almost puked when they tried to celebrate the Passover on Thanksgiving. (If you are going to down some bitter herbs, you should learn how! And you should do it on Passover!!!)

If Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birth in April, he would not have inspired Christmas Trees and Presents and a Coke Song to unite us in Peace & Harmony.

{And by the way, I remember when Christmas becames a pegan holiday. It is when Daddy stops footing the bill and the kids going on 20 years old and beyond have to assume the expense! Oh and for those who want clothes for Christmas but never like the fashions that they picked out and received...I just give them clothes hangers!)

Merry Christmas

Would you believe that some people accuse ME of being a divergent thinker? LOL.