I'll admit, I'm not an overly religious person, but I am a Christian and I believe in God. I'm getting really sick and tired of people making Christmas lists with expensive gifts like iPods, video game systems, jewelry, etc. I do understand the significance of giving gifts during this holiday (the three wise men), but when did Christmas become more about gift giving and less about celebrating Jesus' birth and spending time with family? I do buy presents for certain people (usually small but meaningful ones) and of course for my kids, because they're still young and don't understand Christmas yet. What's up with full grown adults and teenagers who care about nothing more than getting gifts? Is anyone else tired of this?
2007-12-23 06:26:02 · 16 answers · asked by brevejunkie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I guess I should have been more specific. :) This question is aimed at people who believe in God...not atheists. You don't believe in God, so you have no right to answer this question. Thanks!
2007-12-23 06:41:04 · update #1
And if you idgits would actually READ my question instead of pouncing on the chance to bash this holiday, you'd note that I said the true MEANING of Christmas, not the ORIGIN of the holiday.
2007-12-23 06:43:13 · update #2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
2007-12-23 06:43:29 · update #3
Well, ignorance in general. Many people have forgotten the TRUE meaning of Christmas.
Nobody cares to explain it. Christmas has been replaced by the pagan figure of Santa Clause, which comes from the nord god Thor, that traveled in a sledge pulled by two goats: gnasher and gnawer
Today you ask anybody what is Christmas, and perhaps 1% might give the correct answer. The others stay in the eating, drinking, the gifts, Santa Clause, etc
By the way, to all the wise people that have been talking here about the origins of Christmas:
Last night, the priest at my church talked about that.
I thought it was clear, but it seems that is not.
Nobody really knows WHEN Jesus was born. And it doesn't matter.
The 25 December was a holyday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the victory of the sun. It represented the fight between darkness and light ( the sun )
After the Coming of Jesus, due to the similitude, it was chosen the 25 December as the day of the Birth of Jesus.
That was a sacralization of a pagan holyday, making it easier for the pagans to receive Christianity. Nobody ( in their right mind at least ) would celebrate today the original idea of the 25 December.
Only people that keep it floating are those that want to spoil Christmas
What is happening today is the opposite.
The Christian holyday is being transformed into a comercial, materialist holyday.
That is a paganization of Christmas, but nobody says anything against that
2007-12-23 07:08:36 · answer #1 · answered by nadie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are brainwashed, it is time to speak out as you did-hooray! We as Christians know the joy of celebrating the birth Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! There is no believer that decorates, shops, writes cards, complains on spending so stupidly, that does not contemplate that INDEED THIS IS THE CELEBRATION OF JESUS' BIRTH! I hope more worship services and social get together with companionship and song and food shared in love are the tradition rather than gift giving.
2007-12-23 14:41:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very true, most of us have forgotten the pagan roots from which it was stolen. It is hard to recall the significance that our fore bearers attached to making it through half the winter and the emotions brought about knowing that the nights would now be getting shorter.
I would paint a more realistic picture, but I'm not a believer in any religion.
2007-12-23 14:33:11 · answer #3 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because the true meaning of Christmas has changed many times over the years. Christmas today does not resemble anything it was 100, 200 or 1800 years ago. If you grew up in the 50's it has a different meaning than if you grew up in the 70s.
It changed and you didn't
2007-12-23 14:32:15 · answer #4 · answered by Lord Lothian 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am, one of my drivers was upset the other day because he was out of work for a bit and could not give his wife a "big" Christmas, I told him God gave him the most precious gifts, His help back and an understanding wife that loves him...I swear to you he cried and THAT to me is the meaning of Christmas, sharing and love :)
2007-12-23 14:31:41 · answer #5 · answered by Ladeebug71 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
When will YOU learn the TRUE meaning of Christmas?
Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus, it was originally a Pagan holiday that was stolen by the Christians in order to get more followers.
2007-12-23 14:31:23 · answer #6 · answered by The Return Of Sexy Thor 5 · 4⤊ 5⤋
Pst: the magi from baby-lon gave 3 gifts to their king: law, the latter of such gifting a burial thing, for the burial of the law; for jews at mt sinai, in arabia, notably "well said": (read it yourself in Deuteronomy 18:16,17)
Grace --> Mercy ---> Peace with you all. Amen.
2007-12-23 14:42:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The adults and teens have been trained this way such as you have begun to train your own children to become one of them. Teach them now so they do not become one of these people that care nothing more than getting gifts.
Now I on the other hand, have trained my kids that the 25th was a time for gifts, no other meaning. A fun time to set up a tree, decorate it and wait for santa. Like your children will be doing.
2007-12-23 14:31:57 · answer #8 · answered by trixxi_fan 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
The true meaning? Do you mean: making up a non-scriptural based holiday and plunking it down at the end of December in order to usurp pre-existing Pagan holidays that occur then?
2007-12-23 14:31:21 · answer #9 · answered by Hera Sent Me 6 · 6⤊ 4⤋
what, the birth of horus? the birth of mithra? the sacrifices to the gods for wanting the sun to come back?
which true meaning of christmas?
2007-12-23 14:32:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋