my father has just talked about having no presents on christmas day who else that celebrates christmas thinks that is messed up?
2006-09-10 11:42:30 · 20 answers · asked by green day fan 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's not that unheard of these days.
Many Christians are becoming conscious of the problem of materialism and consumerism in our world, and have begun strategies of resistance in various ways, and for some, Christmas is one place where it is hard to reconcile the teachings of Jesus with frantic shopping, consumer credit card debt, excessive and compulsive behavior, over-eating, etc.
So, for many who think along these lines, Christmas has been getting scaled back--recycled boxes and wrapping paper, no gifts or hand-made gifts, or gifts of time and service, or spending the day at the homeless shelter, or other approaches.
Others have raised issues with what they feel are pagan roots of the holiday. There are arguments on either side of the question that you can study.
You don't give the rationale behind your dad's decision. Do you know why he is making this choice? Can you discuss with him what issues concern him? If so, you might reach a middle ground.
Not knowing where to go with this question, I am pasting a few links below that might help you out.
2006-09-10 11:59:20 · answer #1 · answered by Ponderingwisdom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is purely secular anyway. But it is a custom, a tradition. I like fireworks on the forth of July, and would be disappointed if I didn't see any.
So keep the custom alive, whatever your religion. I know many Jews who exchange gifts at Hannukah AND Christmas...usually Christmas is the bigger deal. They don't celebrate the birth of Christ, they celebrate the tradition of the secular side of Christmas. While Santa Clause is technically "Saint Nicholas", he's really more like the tooth fairy: No religious meaning for most people.
And I don't have a problem with that. But no presents on Christmas? That's like no turkey on Thanksgiving, no candy on Halloween, and no fireworks on fourth of July!
2006-09-10 18:53:34 · answer #2 · answered by marsminute 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was young, sometimes the whole Christmas thing didn't happen, at least in terms of the presents, because we just couldn't afford it. I was just a little kid, but was sternly ordered to grow the hell up and learn a thing or two about money and where those presents really came from. There were never any Santa Claus stories told to me. But the religious side of it was observed at church. Anyway, the lack of presents wasn't that huge a deal. I understood fairly early on that we couldn't afford them.
2006-09-10 18:45:11 · answer #3 · answered by solarius 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the tradition of giving presents on Christmas comes from the 3 wise men bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, so I see no reason not to give gifts at Christmas. But, maybe he wants you to remember the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus.
2006-09-10 18:44:54 · answer #4 · answered by Marcy T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in the military... last Christmas I didn't get to spend it with family back home. So instead, I spent Christmas day giving company to the homeless shelter in town.
These people don't have much at all... but being there also helped me get through the tough time.
2006-09-10 18:53:52 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus's Birthday! It is more blessed to give than to receive. Why not just give your Dad a Christmas present anyways and do not expect one from your Dad. You will really bless him and yourself.
2006-09-10 19:01:42 · answer #6 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about spending Christmas Day in a homeless shelter giving your time to those less fortunate? Maybe, then you would understand the true meaning of Christmas.
2006-09-10 18:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by koffee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We do not have gifts at our Christmas either.
We are thankful for all of our family being able to join together and celebrate life and we are thankful for the tremendous amount of food on our table.
We pray for releif for those who are suffering with nothing and no one at this time of the year and all the rest of the year.
We are thankful for our live and do not need "gifts" to show each other how much we love each other.
2006-09-10 18:47:45 · answer #8 · answered by plantladywithcfids 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is not messed up, christmas was a mix of christianity,and pagan worship, celebrating winter. Christianity intertwined with lots of pagan cultures..a bit of give and take,what do you think snow,pine trees,charles dickens, had to do to with the miidle east..anyway as slade say's...IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!
2006-09-10 18:54:46 · answer #9 · answered by johnboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas presents are not the reason for Christmas. its cerebrating Christ birth, a time for family to get together like a reunion.
2006-09-10 18:47:20 · answer #10 · answered by angelchele 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋