2006-11-21 05:19:37 · 25 answers · asked by Whatever 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. Christmas should be a time to give, and most of us have no need for any more material trash. Instead of giving to someone who doesn't need something, how about giving to a homeless shelter, a needy family, etc. Those are the ones who would truly appreciate more. Need a present for grandma? How about a donation in her name?
2006-11-21 05:48:17 · answer #1 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello!!! The greatest gift you have ever been given is the gift of forgiveness and eternal life by Christ's incarnation, suffering, death and resurrection. Is it selfish to accept that gift?
Also, Dec. 25 is not Christ's birthday. It was a pagan feast and the early church plopped this celebration on that date to weaken the pagan celebrations. No one knows the real date.
And, it is selfish to deny others the pleasure of giving to you. Did you stop to think about it that way?
2006-11-21 13:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by Linda R 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind when you accept a gift you are giving other the chance to give...and that's important too.
I think it's just selfish if receiving the gifts or getting good gifts is all you care about.
2006-11-21 13:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As I understand it the custom of giving gifts was to imitate the magi giving the gifts to the Christ child. I do not agree with this custom. I think the object of giving gifts at holiday time is just another way to spend money on worthless things. I believe a greater gift would be to help in a homeless shelter, make dinner for someone who is alone and visit with them or something similar.
2006-11-21 13:24:31 · answer #4 · answered by goodbye 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, but wouldn't you be offended if you spent all that time and money buying a present for someone who said they couldn't accept it on religious grounds?
Selfish or not, I'm still going to like getting Christmas presents. Jesus accepted gifts - even extravagant gifts. Therefore, I'm not too concerned about it.
By the way, I enjoy giving gifts every bit as much as I enjoy receiving them.
2006-11-21 13:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by Carol L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree completely. Not only do I think it is selfish to accept gifts on the day Christians have chosen to celebrate Jesus' birth, but I think if Jesus worked one day after Thanksgiving in retail, he'd never celebrate his own birthday again. The amount of stress people put on themselves this time of year is sickening. People have yelled, screamed and sworn at me for ruining their Christmas because our store ran out of whatever their child wanted. Well, keep your Christmas spirit to yourself and don't ask me why I don't want to celebrate everyone's favorite holiday.
2006-11-21 13:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by Wiseass 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is not Christ's birthday. It is in recognition of God's gift to us of eternal life. We can follow God's example and give gifts. A gift is only a gift if we accept it.
2006-11-21 13:23:05 · answer #7 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on why your accepting them... I consider myself one of God's children also, so since Jesus is not here right now, there is no reason not to accept to celebrate his birthday. But thats why I prefer a gift that is needed or is hand-made. After all thats what being one of God's children is about...LOVING one another.
I do not believe in how commercialized it has all become though abd do not agree with ppl giving their kids everything that they ask for or "spending way out of their budget"
2006-11-21 13:26:58 · answer #8 · answered by Termite 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you referring to Christmas. That's no Christ's birthday. Well at least not Jesus the Christ's birthday. It's a celebration that has the giving of gifts as main point. It is the point of Christmas to give gifts.
2006-11-21 13:22:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The purpose isnt so much in the accepting as in the giving. Giving is unselfish, however, we need to accept a gift to have it, and we cannot have salvation unless we accept it, so in accepting gifts we don't deserve, we learn how to accept Salvation which we also do not deserve.
2006-11-21 13:23:30 · answer #10 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋