Christians: Do the non-religious elements of Christmas, like the tree, the decorations, Santa Claus,?

Question

bother you and take away from what you feel is the core element of the season, or do you think they're kind of fun?

Answer 1

Very fun and and an eesential part of the season.
I don't get carried away with it but some meanings are attached - lights for "the light of the world", green for life (and the tree as well) and red for his blood, candy canes have a Christian history (designed by a Christian candy maker)- shaped like a "J" for Jesus or a sheperd's staff, white and red (purity and his blood)- and so on

Answer 2

I don't really do any of the non-religious Christmas things -- I do give out a couple gifts, but not over board. Since I have moved out of my parents house, there is really no need to go through with all of that stuff, but I figure if I get one present for everyone in my family (4 people) and my boss (1) then that isn't so bad. Most of the stuff I make, anyway. The gift giving (and receiving) is both fun and nice. I can imagine some people would be offended if I didn't get them gifts or at least let them know I was thinking of them.

If I do anymore than that, then I feel pretty bothered. That's usually when I start doing some meditation and get out "the book." My favorite thing to do on Christmas is make sure all of my friends have somebody to spend time with. If I find someone alone, I will cook them up a meal and take it over. That is ALWAYS the most fun.

Answer 3

Even though those things are considered secular, they all have their origin in Christianity. Take Santa Claus: the first Santa Claus was St. Nicholas--a religious man. He rode around in a sleigh taking food to the poor and what not. The legend of Santa Claus coming down the chimney and putting toys in stockings came into existence when St. Nicholas overheard a young woman crying because she had no money for a dowry and therefore could not marry. That night, St. Nicholas went to her house and threw a bag of money down the Chimney so that they wouldn't know who did it. The family made it a habit of hanging their stockings by the fireplace at night to dry. The money landed in the stocking and thus the legend was born. So you see, everything about Christmas really is about Christ whether the atheists like it or not.

Answer 4

Although, the tree, lights, presents, and Santa would probably be considered "false idols", I think they are kind of fun.
I do however feel like there should be more emphisis on not the religous part of Christmas, but the true meaning of it.
In the end, its all how you celebrate with your family and the ones you care about. I'm still putting up my nativity and will keep passing on to my children the real importance of Christmas.

Answer 5

I still put up a tree with homemade decorations and other decorations (like snowman). But I do not bother with Santa. I think that Santa can make Christmas too much into commericalism and greed. I think though carols, the tree, cookies, and decorations makes it fun and can put people more into the spirit of love and giving.

Answer 6

I used to think they were a lot of fun, but one Christmas went by years ago, and I realized I hadn't even thought of Jesus during that time. It was a rude awakening.

Now, I still enjoy seeing family and the fun, but my emphasis is on Jesus, who was the greatest gift of all time. As I get older, I care less and less about the shopping, decorations, etc. My life is centered around my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I want to share the love He gave us with everyone.

And, yes, I do think the commercialism of the holiday has overshadowed the true meaning for many people.

Answer 7

As for me and my family we do not celebrate Christmas in the secular way. The day is dedicated to Christ and therefore our celebration is dedicated to Christ. We do not have a tree, presents, decorations, Santa Claus, or any of the other things that take away from Christ.

Answer 8

I think they are all great fun! The only time I oppose them is when I see a Christmas tree in a church, full of non-Christian type ornaments. In many Lutheran churches you will find a Christmas tree decorated with Chrismons, which are symbols representing Christ, His name, and His life.

Answer 9

They are the way I choose to celebrate Christmas. They are part of my heritage and tradition. Each ornament on the tree brings a memory of Christmases past. I love St. Nicholas..He is\was a real human. I have joy and fun, and I never forget Jesus in all the trimmings.

Answer 10

The Tannenbaum is a symbol of peace and eternal life. A Christian Christmas Tree, represents the Cross on which hung the light of the world. The lights of the tree represent Jesus, the light of the world; the ornaments represent us, the fruits - the offspring of the union between Jesus and His church. And thus did the Tannenbaum become the Christian Christmas tree.

Do your research!