I agree kiddslayer. But that's a sore topic here...
@Hailmurder: That language isn't necessary to get your message across! We respect your opinion, but that kind of language will eventually get yourself banned.
I'm tired of these so called Christians who give this one and only time of the year. It annoys the crap out of me. Someone who really followed the teachings of Christ would be giving all year. I personally don't buy gifts for anyone, nor do I accept gifts. I give a monthly donation to "Doctor's Without Borders." A friend of mine packs about 100 lunches on Christmas Eve, goes to downtown Chicago, and hands out the lunches to homeless people.
My sister's don't need new clothes or make-up. My brother does not need new hub-caps for his car. My family does not need material things. People in third world countries need food, shelter, clean water, and medical care. Hell, many people in first world nations can barely survive. But most Americans and Westerners care about stupid material items for Christmas. If we all took the money we spend on Christmas and gave it to charity, or to the poor, this world would be such a great place.
Last I heard the Vatican had down graded Saint nicholas and Christmas in an attempt to wrestle it from popular perception and back to Christian ideals. TBH no one can be right you either believe in God who doesn't exist or santa who isn't much better despite what miracle on 34th street teaches us.
Whats you look on the True Meaning of Christmas? Mine is the story of Jesus but what do you think?
Would it surprise you to know that Jesus (if he existed at all) wasn't born in December at all?
The season is a time of reflection of the year gone by and the promise of the new one to come. The days stop growing shorter and begin to grow longer once more. Family and friends gather together to exchange gifts and catch up with one another. It is a time for good food, good drink, good company, and good cheer.
Christmas is just a way to bind people from their troubles in the most happy sence, Christmas is about happieness and being good all year dispite the troubles you are forced to contend with.
Symbolic meaning:Although people claim it to be the holiday to honor the birth of Jesus.Catholicism moved this holiday to the 25 december because this day was home to a Pagan holiday,wich they tried to cover up since the church couldn't accept things such as Paganism:it was heresy.Like Tanstaafl said,although the date is incertain it's sure that Jesus didn't come to birth (if he ever did) on the 25th december.
I can't deny it's fun to receive gifts,but as my mother always said to me when I was young,giving is much more gratifying than to receive,and I think thelistman is right,and as Valentine's day we shouldn't wait to give or to say ''I love you'' to the ones we care about,and the ones who need it more than us.
As for the social sense of christmas:it's becoming a materialist holiday where we spend astronomical amounts of money for family we see only once a year.The good point is that it gives us the chance to help more poor people with charity organism since they are more active on holidays;it's the time of the year too give ourselves the impression that we're helping and oh-so-good but who donates all year long?Peopel are scared to lower their level of personnal confort,when people can't even two meals a day.I live in a country where it's especially right and I find it despicable.People in Quebec are lazy and egotist,and we really should help more the people in need and stop to spend money like crazy on christmas.
When I was a child I always found my mother crazy when she told me that ''to give is more satifying than to receive''.I know now how that can be true...
the true meaning of CHRISTmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, even though it wasn't really on Dec. 25th...i would know cuz my name is huggy chugger duckers OSHVEETS!
Whoa...things are getting angry real quick in here...
I will agree with some of you, certain Christians seem to be out to give the Atheists a hard time, but I can personally say that I am not one of those. Believe what you want to, and I will say that too many people are caught up in the wrong things during Christmas, especially gifts. If you don't celebrate Christmas because of Jesus, at least celebrate how fortunate you are and appreciate the gifts you receive. After all, there's nothing more greedy than the kid who asks for a PS3 and Guitar Hero and winds up getting that and a TV. That's just wasteful.
It's symbolic. Come on, are we REALLY going to celebrate this guy's birthday for like forever? No, we're celebrating the holiday season. The fact there is no school for a week and that fat guy who breaks and enters and raids your fridge. Usually, watching the holiday specials, not once do I hear "Happy Birthday Jesus!" It's all just a holiday to sell items. Conspiracy? No. Maybe. Yes. You decide.
Also, a simpler answer for B.I.G. fans are "Hail Mary, Will and Grace" >
