Has Christmas lost its true meaning ?

Question

Is it a case of commercialism and retail overkill. Time to move back to family values and traditions ?

pagan and christianity have been intertwined in this celebration but it still revolves around spirituality from both ideals.

Answer 1

I think for some it has lost it's true meaning.

I think it's retail overkill!

Answer 2

Almost certainly. It should be a time where the entire family enjoys each others company. Biggest problem is that the traditional values, particularly the more religious elements such as St. Nicholas, mean little to the largely atheistic population. Many traditions are also demodé- old fashioned, such as the burning of a Yule log for twelve days- few people have open fireplaces for example.
The retail aspect is of our own creation- it originally was a chance for chidren to get the things they would otherwise never get, such as a new outfit (common in Victorian times) or a little toy. We drove it too far, as wages increased and it suddenly became a competition between families to flash the cash, buying extravagant gifts.
Most children also learn the Nativity in primary school, but few schools are brave enough to teach any other Christian aspects, such as restraint and instead often reinforce the commercial message- children are bullied if thye don't wear the right designer trainers, and any religious education is neutrally taught.
So I agree wholeheartedly.

Answer 3

I know Christmas takes many traditions (like the Christmas tree) from pagans, but think about it....way back when, in order to get people to join their religion, Christians had to make it familiar to them. The Christmas tree probably seemed familiar to former pagans, and helped them keep their traditions. That being said, Christmas itself is just that: Christ Mass. I'm pretty sure it comes from a Latin term, since the Church used to be in Latin. There's NO WAY anyone can argue Christmas is a Pagan holiday. Some traditions may have Pagan roots, but the holiday is ENTIRELY Christian.

I feel commercialism has backed out to the extreme. There were very few stores touting "Merry Christmas" last year. I would take a store full of Santa statues over one that forces employees to say "Happy Holidays" to be politically correct.

Answer 4

As an Atheist i believe Christmas has lost it extremely is authentic meaning, the place human beings used to furnish to different, teach an outstanding volume of kindness to their fellow guy. Christmas has become commercialized to no end, greed of folk purely concerns, and back whilst others was kind purely forget approximately and walk previous them as though they have been the very comparable dirt it is on our floor. each and every 12 months I see this I start to weep for a fashion far humanity has fallen.

Answer 5

yes. But not overseas. Over here, it's more about Santa Claus trespassing into ur house and giving you tons of presents. What kids are looking forward today is just the presents and not the true meaning of family and even though it's not his true birthday, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
In Europe it's total opposite. In germany, it's the 6th that Santa comes, then on the 24th the whole family comes together, eats, sings, and goes to church and what have you, and if you are really small, the Christ child visits and gives you some presents. But their whole month is all about the coming together of family and friends, singing, and rejoicing. Really pretty actually, and I found it much better than the christmas's here!

Answer 6

Sadly many have taken Christ out of Christmas and support the commercial side of it all and pay little heed about what it is truly all about.

Those who recognise the real meaning of the celebrations appreciate all the blessings that comes from the greatest event in the world ever.

The world would be a better place if more could take time to learn of great truths.

Answer 7

First Christmas is not the birthday of Christ if you believe in abortion. Biblically its the date of his conception.(a long explanation) The Roman church initiated the celebration to coincide with pagan winter solstice to draw them into Christianity. It also was a good money maker even then.
Jesus asked us to feed the hungry,clothe the naked,and shelter the homeless. If modern societies abuses the day commerically it also promotes the real Christian message Jesus taught.
The real meaning is up to the individual. Party Hearty of Pray unceasingly

Answer 8

Definately. Stores are no longer celebrating Christmas but Winter Holidays. Children are no longer told the story of Jesus and the fact that his birth is the reason we should be happy. Not because they got the GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip. I keep trying to think of ways to help my children learn about the gift of giving. This year I think we will make personal care item gift baskets for the nursing home near us and deliver them for Christmas. Maybe if they see how happy they make other people the season will become more special.

Answer 9

No, because what Christians think is the 'meaning of Christmas' was never valid in the first place. Christmas was adapted from the pagan Yuletide celebrations to suit Christians, and besides, those who believe that Christ was born, don't even claim to know when it was.

Answer 10

I always try to ignore all the hype that starts at this time of year. Christmas should be about spending time with your family, playing daft games (not monopoly tho, it always starts a fight!!) and trying to stop the kids getting up at 4:30am.
I never start shopping for presents until the beginning of December, it just doesn't feel right, ya know?

Answer 11

Yes, and they keep putting Christmas stuff to early. We need to get back to family life. That is what is going to keep America going. It is not about what everybody gets. It is about Jesus Birth even though He wasn't born on Dec. 25. We chose to celebrate it that day, and that is fine with me.