2006-12-20 03:44:52 · 29 answers · asked by Ginger E 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely. God gave His only Son as a gift for us, to pay for our sin. That's why we give gifts at Christmas to each other. We remember His gift to us.
That's why it's called 'Christ-mas'. 'Santa Claus' is a twist on the name 'Saint Nicholas', the bishop of Turin in the 1300s who threw gifts through people's windows into the stockings hung by their fireplaces at this time of year.
2006-12-20 04:00:11 · answer #1 · answered by Me in Canada eh 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on who you ask. Some Christians will say "yes," but some will say "no" because Christmas is either too commercial or too Pagan.
Some non-Christians celebrate Christmas as time to appreciate family and friends.
Different religions have celebrated Christmas as the birthday of various Gods, like Mithras, Bacchus (Dionysus), and Heru (Horus) long before Jesus was even born. When Christianity became popular, the leaders didn't want the Winter Solstice traditions to continue, so they decided that Jesus was born during this time to Christianize the celebrations.
The Winter Solstice, which predates Christmas as a celebration, is the shortest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere), and it's a time to celebrate the time when the days will get longer and spring will return. It's a solar holiday, and it can be celebrated by non-religious people as well from a secular aspect. However, it was originally celebrated by pre-Christian Pagans from various countries and traditions. Many modern day Christmas traditions stem from the earlier Pagan traditions.
It's a time to celebrate with friends and families. Yule is when trees are decorated because the evergreen is a symbol of life. (It stays green during the winter, even though the other trees have lost their leaves!) Wreaths represent rebirth, because they are circular. Gifts are given, and big meals are eaten. It's a time to cherish each other's company.
2006-12-20 03:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the northern hemisphere the Winter Solstice has been celebrated as a last way for people to get together before the cold keeps us in our own homes and isolated for the winter - and then spring comes and we celebrate being out and about again. Over the centuries, each new group has attached it's own version of what is being celebrated at that time - partly because we as humans kind of need this time and partly as a political maneuver when assimilating new cultures together.
For many Jesus is the meaning for Christmas - and frankly, they scored with the name and actual date of the event. Pagans scored with many other traditions - the tree, santa, wreaths, gift giving - all the stuff that doesn't make sense with christianiy really (except egg nog and candy canes - candy Js for Jesus or Shepherd's crooks we are hearing).
It's very interesting - and to me, it just shows that we are all the same, talking about the same stuff with different terms and a long history of dividing ourselves along these lines. Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people. The only thing that matters is that we each hold our own faith and beliefs true and teach them to our children - while teaching them respect, tolerance and unity for the human race. That is what Christmas means to me.
Peace!
2006-12-20 03:55:20 · answer #3 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Santa Clause is the real meaning of Christmas. Santa brings us gifts on Christmas morning as evidence of his existence.
Jesus is to busy with the Holy War thing. And advising President Bush on which country to invade next.
2006-12-20 03:56:11 · answer #4 · answered by Honest Opinion 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well it should be. By the way...scientific studies and biblical scholars agree that the birth of Christ was in the spring. Probably around April. Why do you think Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem to begin with? Besides going to their ancestral home for the collection of taxes, it was also the feast of the passover...which by the way is in the spring.
2006-12-20 03:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by garo g 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me He is the reason for Christmas!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!
(Yes, I know it's not His "real" birthday...but that is when I celebrate it!!!)
Merry Christmas :o)
2006-12-20 03:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes for the word christmas means the gathering of the faithful
2006-12-20 03:49:08 · answer #7 · answered by lordkid 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, He is . It even carries his name. and that's People don't understand the whole concept of Christmas. Would you believe some don't even want to? Some people say it's a pagan holiday but they celebrate Halloween and it's certainly is paganism . I don't care if this gets a bad rating....... I know it gets a good rating from JESUS, Merry Christmas.!!
2006-12-20 03:47:31 · answer #8 · answered by Sugar 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Supposed to be.
"Jesus is the Reason for the Season"
signs can be found on doors and in windows in WestCoast Canada!
2006-12-20 03:48:45 · answer #9 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, no. It would probably be better for you to do some research on the origin of Christmas. That way you will know for sure yourself.
2006-12-20 03:52:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋