Christmas: a religious holiday?

[_Mary]

My mum overheard a couple of women in a card shop complaining that the cardmakers were bringing religion into christmas...by having nativity scenes on the cover etc....

I gave it a lot of thought over time and figure that humans are actually pretty amazing. You get the coldest, darkest, time of the year when deaths of the elderly are at a high, and then you get cultures for whatever reason (particularly in Europe) that go ahead and make lemonade out of lemons.

They fill it with lights, and berries, and decorations, and giving and receiving presents and cards and good wishes....and I think well, great. Even if Jesus name is not mentioned, I would think that he would be behind all the generosity and joy that christmas can bring to so many people.

Who cares whether people say 'happy holidays', or 'happy christmas', basically the season brings colour and warmth to an otherwise dark and cold part of the year... That can't be a bad thing...???

Mary

[_JAK]

But this move to remove Christmas and call everything "Holiday" (I.e. holiday lights, holiday tree. happy holidays, etc) is just idiotic.

Why is it idiotic? If you're not christian, why should you celebrate christmas? I'm not jewish, I don't celebrate hanukah. Or kwanza, or ramadan, etc.

I just wish people a 'happy holiday'.

It’s not “idiotic.” Seasonal artifacts including those of Christmas have long been a part of tradition in many parts of the Western World.

We are not [Christian[/i], but we enjoy the musical compositions of the Christmas season. As musicians, we play them on instruments. We also go to music concerts featuring music of the season both Christian and secular. We have 5 Christmas trees, give Christmas presents, and celebrate the joyfulness of others with them during the Christmas Season.”

It’s fine to “wish people a happy holiday” as you do. It’s also fine to wish particularly [i]Christians a Merry Christmas.

We say “Good Morning” to people when it may not be very good for us or for them. We say “Good bye” when we part even if it’s an unhappy time.
We greet people with: “How are you?” when we really don’t want an extended health report – which sometimes people actually give.

So “Merry Christmas” is part of a long tradition observed in shopping malls as well as churches.

It’s not “idiotic” at all.

We say “Hi” or “Hello” or something else most of the year.

When in Rome do as Rome does is an old saying which applies to Christmas.


JAK

[_Jersey Girl]

That Mithras preceeded Christianity doesn't take away from the celebration of Christmas. Nor how the Romans developed it or what went on in the Victorian Era or anything else. What you describe is simply the history of developing traditions that existed through the ages and continues to develop to this day. Symbols have many uses, they mean whatever a person or group chooses to use them to symbolize and it's not at all limited to religion. The celebration of Christmas in contemporary times is both secular and religious. Christmas is what people make of it, in their groups and families.

Do my Christmas traditions differ from others on this board? Of course they do. My Christmas traditions are an extension of things inherited and things created over time.

Just like the early Christians and so forth.

I have friends who are Atheist and Agnostic. They celebrate Christmas in their own way and for their own reasons and never fail to wish me and mine a "Merry Christmas". Some attend church services to be with their believing families.

So long as good will is shared, what possible difference does it make?

Jersey Girl

[_Trevor]

What on earth is a Godless pagan tradition?

Pagan traditions are full of gods.

[_JAK]

That Mithras preceeded Christianity doesn't take away from the celebration of Christmas. Nor how the Romans developed it or what went on in the Victorian Era or anything else. What you describe is simply the history of developing traditions that existed through the ages and continues to develop to this day. Symbols have many uses, they mean whatever a person or group chooses to use them to symbolize and it's not at all limited to religion. The celebration of Christmas in contemporary times is both secular and religious. Christmas is what people make of it, in their groups and families.

Do my Christmas traditions differ from others on this board? Of course they do. My Christmas traditions are an extension of things inherited and things created over time.

Just like the early Christians and so forth.

I have friends who are Atheist and Agnostic. They celebrate Christmas in their own way and for their own reasons and never fail to wish me and mine a "Merry Christmas". Some attend church services to be with their believing families.

So long as good will is shared, what possible difference does it make?

Jersey Girl

I agree, Jersey Girl. It certainly is not “idiotic,” as was suggested to say Merry Christmas to anyone who has a cultural background in any country where Christianity is a (or the) dominant religion. It’s a greeting. It’s positive. It recognizes an internationally celebrated time of the year.

JAK

[_Trevor]

It certainly is not “idiotic,” as was suggested to say Merry Christmas to anyone who has a cultural background in any country where Christianity is a (or the) dominant religion. It’s a greeting. It’s positive. It recognizes an internationally celebrated time of the year.

I simply say, Happy Holidays! It doesn't cost me anything.

[_JAK]

It certainly is not “idiotic,” as was suggested to say Merry Christmas to anyone who has a cultural background in any country where Christianity is a (or the) dominant religion. It’s a greeting. It’s positive. It recognizes an internationally celebrated time of the year.

I simply say, Happy Holidays! It doesn't cost me anything.

Sure, that’s fine as well, Trevor. Any seasonal greeting spoken with sincerity cost nothing and may be welcomed.

JAK

[_Jersey Girl]

What on earth is a Godless pagan tradition?

Pagan traditions are full of gods.

Good question, Trevor. Good point. The OP references Mithra/Sun God. I think it was an honest mistake. Those godless Pagans!

[_Jersey Girl]

That Mithras preceeded Christianity doesn't take away from the celebration of Christmas. Nor how the Romans developed it or what went on in the Victorian Era or anything else. What you describe is simply the history of developing traditions that existed through the ages and continues to develop to this day. Symbols have many uses, they mean whatever a person or group chooses to use them to symbolize and it's not at all limited to religion. The celebration of Christmas in contemporary times is both secular and religious. Christmas is what people make of it, in their groups and families.

Do my Christmas traditions differ from others on this board? Of course they do. My Christmas traditions are an extension of things inherited and things created over time.

Just like the early Christians and so forth.

I have friends who are Atheist and Agnostic. They celebrate Christmas in their own way and for their own reasons and never fail to wish me and mine a "Merry Christmas". Some attend church services to be with their believing families.

So long as good will is shared, what possible difference does it make?

Jersey Girl

I agree, Jersey Girl. It certainly is not “idiotic,” as was suggested to say Merry Christmas to anyone who has a cultural background in any country where Christianity is a (or the) dominant religion. It’s a greeting. It’s positive. It recognizes an internationally celebrated time of the year.

JAK

I think the idiocy was attributed to the "Happy Holidays" generic greeting we hear so much of now. I agree with you regarding the positive message. When I was a kid (before dirt was discovered) back in Jersey, none of this was a big deal. Menorah's and Christmas trees shared time and space. I don't know why we're so sensitive these days. Isn't one of the pathways to appreciating diversity in allowing diversity to exist?

I interact with families who are new to this country. They're celebrating Christmas because it gives them a sense of belonging in their new country. Nothing wrong with that!

Merry Christmas, JAK!

Jersey Girl
:-D

[_ludwigm]

Merry Christmas!