Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
12.24.05 (2:05 am) [edit]I think it is good that we have a time of the year were people exchange gifts, visit families, have a special meal and just have a family get together. It seems to bring out the best in many people. Of course it is a tad compulsive since our economy seems to depend on how much people spend during this season. If people simply stopped doing it I think we would be in for a rough ride on the economic level. I do get tired of the Christmas music, and all of the decorations that seem to go up earlier and earlier now, and the frenzy to get our attention also seems to be getting a little more strident each year; or perhaps I am just getting old and out of touch.
For many, if not for everyone, Christmas is the celebration of Christ birth, and advent the time (when the Christmas advertising is bombarding us),of expectant waiting, in other words it is a faith event that is accompanied with liturgy and prayers. The holiday season is a time of being joyous, going to parties and giving gifts, and I suppose now that we live in a religiously diverse culture, the holiday aspect is taking over. I see nothing wrong with this on a cultural level.
I really wish Christians could find another day to celebrate Christmas, the only reason the 25th of December was chosen is that it is the longest night of the year, and after that the light slowly makes the night shorter, hence the coming of the savior or the light. Since our economy is addicted to the gift giving holiday, not a bad thing in itself, the Christmas message is being overwhelmed by all the happy glitter, at least for many. The stress does not allow for the proper celebration of Christ birth for Christians. I wish that Christmas could be become more like Thanksgiving, a low key holyday, were believers could contemplate the significance of the entrance of the divine into our world. We can all celebrate the Holidays, but not everyone can to so with Christmas.
Even Santa Claus, who is really one of the Christian saints, has been enlisted to encourage the gift of giving, but Santa Claus as seen today has nothing to do with the coming of Christ into the world.
I know this is not possible of course, so to those who see this time of year as the holidays season….. happy holidays…. and for those who see this as a celebration of Christ birth, I hope you have a Christ filled and Holy…Holiday. Besides holiday means holyday anyway LOL.
Peace
Mitch
For many, if not for everyone, Christmas is the celebration of Christ birth, and advent the time (when the Christmas advertising is bombarding us),of expectant waiting, in other words it is a faith event that is accompanied with liturgy and prayers. The holiday season is a time of being joyous, going to parties and giving gifts, and I suppose now that we live in a religiously diverse culture, the holiday aspect is taking over. I see nothing wrong with this on a cultural level.
I really wish Christians could find another day to celebrate Christmas, the only reason the 25th of December was chosen is that it is the longest night of the year, and after that the light slowly makes the night shorter, hence the coming of the savior or the light. Since our economy is addicted to the gift giving holiday, not a bad thing in itself, the Christmas message is being overwhelmed by all the happy glitter, at least for many. The stress does not allow for the proper celebration of Christ birth for Christians. I wish that Christmas could be become more like Thanksgiving, a low key holyday, were believers could contemplate the significance of the entrance of the divine into our world. We can all celebrate the Holidays, but not everyone can to so with Christmas.
Even Santa Claus, who is really one of the Christian saints, has been enlisted to encourage the gift of giving, but Santa Claus as seen today has nothing to do with the coming of Christ into the world.
I know this is not possible of course, so to those who see this time of year as the holidays season….. happy holidays…. and for those who see this as a celebration of Christ birth, I hope you have a Christ filled and Holy…Holiday. Besides holiday means holyday anyway LOL.
Peace
Mitch