The Christmas Paradox

Smiffy said:
But isn't it nice to see their smiling, happy faces and watch their excitement build on the run up to the big day?
They are not kids for long. Long may it last.
Click to expand...


Without doubt this ^^^^....

Missed much of my own kids 'growing up'...
So, making the most of my second chance with my grandsons...

Currently smiling from ear to ear listening to the youngest chirping

"Here we go off to Bethlehem"....
 
Smiffy said:
But isn't it nice to see their smiling, happy faces and watch their excitement build on the run up to the big day?
They are not kids for long. Long may it last.
Peace on earth, and goodwill to ALL men.........even those that lie to their children.
Click to expand...

I love Christmas, a chance to relax with family, forget work for a while and basically enjoy the holidays......but that's all it is to me. My comment above was simply aimed at the religious component. Yes, the holidays are rooted in the religious festival but as per the OP those religious links are increasingly an irrelevance in modern society.
 
I love Xmas and am 100% atheist. My kids are free to believe what they want and they do know the story of Jesus and Bethlehem etc, but have never told them it's rubbish, they can make their own minds up and if when they are old enough to make a decision they can get christened, baptised, whatever, but I am not forcing them to believe. For me, it's a week off work, excited children, good food, family and everyone in a great mood.
 
Piece said:
Interesting turn of phrase. Implying that if you're not a believer then you won't have as much fun at this time of year as those that do? Christmas means different things to different families, all enjoyed at the same level.
Click to expand...

I tried to be precise about what I said and your implication drawn does not necessarily hold true - for a start I said 'can' not 'will' but clearly if we all get as much enjoyment as each other over being together at Christmas and giving and receiving gifts - then if there is something on top of that that enables some to take additional meaning from Christmas then that can add to the enjoyment.
 
Piece said:
Interesting turn of phrase. Implying that if you're not a believer then you won't have as much fun at this time of year as those that do? Christmas means different things to different families, all enjoyed at the same level.
Click to expand...

'can be' is not the same as 'is'!
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Got problems typing the word Christmas then? - not just you of course - loving how folks seem to be trying to make a point by doing this? :)
Click to expand...

Have always typed it Xmas - far easier and there is no meaning behind my reason for doing so - certainly not making a point
 
Foxholer said:
'can be' is not the same as 'is'!
Click to expand...

Quite - I should add that I love our church being really busy for our Carol service and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, and don't care one jot if many of those present don't see the inside of a church, and wouldn't be seen in one, the rest of the year. Makes the time of year and these services even better for those of us who take a bit on the spiritual side from Christmas. Just magical hearing everyone in a full church enjoying singing the carols and enjoying our church - all decked out with it's glad rags on. And maybe - just maybe - one or two might think it a nice thing to come along on a more regular basis.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I tried to be precise about what I said and your implication drawn does not necessarily hold true - for a start I said 'can' not 'will' but clearly if we all get as much enjoyment as each other over being together at Christmas and giving and receiving gifts - then if there is something on top of that that enables some to take additional meaning from Christmas then that can add to the enjoyment
Click to expand...

Foxholer said:
'can be' is not the same as 'is'!
Click to expand...

Really?!? :smirk: hence the word 'implying' in my response ;)

SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Got problems typing the word Christmas then? - not just you of course - loving how folks seem to be trying to make a point by doing this? :)
Click to expand...

Genuine question: what point? 'Xmas' is just quicker to write that's all. Nothing sinister, no hidden agenda or points scoring...

EDIT: I see LP has beaten me to it!
 
Last edited:
Piece said:
Really?!? :smirk: hence the word 'implying' in my response ;)
Click to expand...

Imply to me means one thing logically follows from the other. So for instance advertisers of weight loss products are always very careful to tell us that taking their product can lead to weight loss - and avoid implying that their product will lead to weight loss. That is all that I said.

The context of my OP was what Lady Butler-Sloss said about Britain no longer being a Christian Country - so aspects of Christianity that are part of our day-to-day life should not be so protected or promoted. I have to admit that I'm rather suspicious of those who promote and shout loud about the UK being a Christian country therefore X, Y, Z - when much of the time they have a pretty non-Christian agenda.
 
Last edited:
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Got problems typing the word Christmas then? - not just you of course - loving how folks seem to be trying to make a point by doing this? :)
Click to expand...

I'm not a great fan of Xmas but it's pervasive in our society so I go along with it. No religious connotation for me, however, just a traditional holiday that we use to cheer ourselves up on the cold wet winter nights.

I do deliberately write Xmas to further divorce it from christianty. I'm quite unapologetic about that although I can see why christians get irked by it.
 
FairwayDodger said:
I'm not a great fan of Xmas but it's pervasive in our society so I go along with it. No religious connotation for me, however, just a traditional holiday that we use to cheer ourselves up on the cold wet winter nights.

I do deliberately write Xmas to further divorce it from christianty. I'm quite unapologetic about that although I can see why christians get irked by it.
Click to expand...

:thup: though only a very wee bit irked.
 
Its not a paradox for me, its a massive pain in the butt. I am not religious and I think its ridiculous that I have to celebrate a religious holiday. I did not enjoy it as a child as my parents are people I would rather not be around and cannot behave(they are regular church goers and christian). Its become a huge money sink, its far more about buying crap than actually getting something that someone might want.... Bar humbug! Its a hallmark holiday and I will not actually relax until its all over and have a nice break between the 27th and the 4th.

I have been told to belt up and make it magical for my little girl and I will. She is welcome to go in the nativity in the same way that I am happy for her school to teach her about Jewish holidays and many other religions. When the time is right she will make her own mind up, I will not be forcing my own miserable view on to her.


No matter what is said, go to any major British city and it becomes very clear that we are multicultural, how can a country be a religion.
 
Last edited:
Rooter said:
I love Xmas and am 100% atheist. My kids are free to believe what they want and they do know the story of Jesus and Bethlehem etc, but have never told them it's rubbish, they can make their own minds up and if when they are old enough to make a decision they can get christened, baptised, whatever, but I am not forcing them to believe. For me, it's a week off work, excited children, good food, family and everyone in a great mood.
Click to expand...





^^^^^^^Is the correct interpretation of Christmas in the McBoogerballs home.......spot on Sir
 
Christmas is a time for me to see friends that I no longer see on a regular basis in my hometown pubs, eating lots of incredible food with my family members and enjoying a few days off work. Its something to look forward to between my birthdays!

Im probably a lot closer that most of you to being a "kid" but i still absolutely love christmas and everything that goes into it, me and my girlfriend go all out and buy each other lovely gifts that we wouldnt get each other at any other time of year.

We are by no means religious.
 
Old Skier said:
Anyone who turns water into wine gets my vote.
Click to expand...

Ive been turning Wine into Water for years :)
also my Birthday is on the 27th December (Hint Hint), that makes me a Capricorn, JC was a Capricorn and thats about as far as it goes for me.

Its a mid winter festival, a chance to take a few days out, catch up with family & friends, eat and drink a bit too much and watch some rubbish TV.

But to those who believe, fair play and Happy Christmas
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top