The Christmas Paradox

SwingsitlikeHogan

SwingsitlikeHogan

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Pity less than half of us actually profess to having any beliefs whatsoever in any way related to Christmas and most reject the notion of Christ out of hand. Funny old paradoxical world in that one thing many profess to want to protect their children from is also at the core of one thing we want our children to enjoy most (see also postings - 'The lies we tell children' and Lady Butler-Sloss report today)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-for-leaders-of-other-religions-a6762821.html
 
My belief is that Christmas is for children and the enjoyment it brings. Incredibly obvious I know, but I liked it as a child with the 'magic' it entailed. I've carried that forward with my boys, giving them the excitement of Xmas without the christian message taking over. I'm happy with that.
 
Piece said:
My belief is that Christmas is for children and the enjoyment it brings. Incredibly obvious I know, but I liked it as a child with the 'magic' it entailed. I've carried that forward with my boys, giving them the excitement of Xmas without the christian message taking over. I'm happy with that.
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Like your referring to it as Xmas. Guessing then you're not that keen on your children participating in Nativity Plays? What do you tell your children it's all about.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Like your referring to it as Xmas. Guessing then you're not that keen on your children participating in Nativity Plays? What do you tell your children it's all about.
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When my son is old enough to go to school, if they held a nativity play, I would have no issue with him playing the lead role. Just because I don't believe in God or the fact a gentleman called Jesus was anything more than a very influential person at the time he was alive and as his story has been passed down through the years the truth may have become shall we say, stretched a little it doesn't mean I can't enjoy my son up on stage partaking in such an event (however made up it is) and it doesn't mean we can't enjoy Christmas as anything other than a chance to spend some time with us as a family, eat lots of food, drink and generally enjoy ourselves.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Like your referring to it as Xmas. Guessing then you're not that keen on your children participating in Nativity Plays? What do you tell your children it's all about.
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Xmas? Christmas? It's the same to me.

Quite the opposite with nativities. The kids want to do it because it's what happens at Xmas. They learn about the christian message from the school, as it's a CoE primary. If they have questions I'll tell them the honest answers.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Like your referring to it as Xmas. Guessing then you're not that keen on your children participating in Nativity Plays? What do you tell your children it's all about.
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I'm not sure what your point is. People take what they want from Christian tradition, celebrate Xmas and Easter, but don't self flagellate the rest of the year.

Your mob should be grateful for the publicity. Without Christmas it would be a lot less:o
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Pity less than half of us actually profess to having any beliefs whatsoever in any way related to Christmas and most reject the notion of Christ out of hand. Funny old paradoxical world in that one thing many profess to want to protect their children from is also at the core of one thing we want our children to enjoy most (see also postings - 'The lies we tell children' and Lady Butler-Sloss report today)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-for-leaders-of-other-religions-a6762821.html
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Pity is a word you may use, but I certainly wouldn't.
 
richart said:
Pity is a word you may use, but I certainly wouldn't.
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I use 'pity' simply on the grounds that 'my mob' feel Christmas can be much more meaningful and enjoyable if you have a Christian belief. I absolutely understand that having an event at this time of year (or any time of year in fact) that brings families together is a great thing.

The paradox to me is simply that many of us are enjoying and celebrating - to one degree or another - something that we don't actually believe in. Maybe in time Christmas will be left to 'my mob' and the majority will move their celebrations to Thanksgiving - which does seem more aligned to what the majority feel (only kidding - I think...)

I note that my thoughts on this were provoked by listening to Lady Butler-Sloss this morning; wondering where we are going as a 'self-proclaimed' Christian country (or not as the case may be) - and what that might mean for such as Christmas and Easter

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-for-leaders-of-other-religions-a6762821.html
 
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SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I use 'pity' simply on the grounds that 'my mob' feel Christmas can be much more meaningful and enjoyable if you have a Christian belief. I absolutely understand that having an event at this time of year (or any time of year in fact) that brings families together is a great thing.

The paradox to me is simply that many of us are enjoying and celebrating - to one degree or another - something that we don't actually believe in. Maybe in time Christmas will be left to 'my mob' and the majority will move their celebrations to Thanksgiving - which does seem more aligned to what the majority feel (only kidding - I think...)

I note that my thoughts on this were provoked by listening to Lady Butler-Sloss this morning; wondering where we are going as a 'self-proclaimed' Christian country (or not as the case may be) - and what that might mean for such as Christmas and Easter

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-for-leaders-of-other-religions-a6762821.html
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Wasn't a 'winter festival' celebrated pre baby Jebuz?? Before it got hijacked ;)
 
therod said:
Wasn't a 'winter festival' celebrated pre baby Jebuz?? Before it got hijacked ;)
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I would call it the midwinter feast.
It was celebrated for many many thousands of years before the Christian belief started.

Regarding the Christian lords, like royalty, well past their sell by dates in a modern society and should be phased out.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I use 'pity' simply on the grounds that 'my mob' feel Christmas can be much more meaningful and enjoyable if you have a Christian belief. I absolutely understand that having an event at this time of year (or any time of year in fact) that brings families together is a great thing.

The paradox to me is simply that many of us are enjoying and celebrating - to one degree or another - something that we don't actually believe in. Maybe in time Christmas will be left to 'my mob' and the majority will move their celebrations to Thanksgiving - which does seem more aligned to what the majority feel (only kidding - I think...)]
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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.
 
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.
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I certainly enjoy Xmas more when religion isn't involved
 
Tough choice! Go to church, wrapped up to the nines, freezing your bits off, or stay at home getting a touch merry on cooking sherry and joking with the family. I don't need the parish priest telling me what I should be thinking of at Christmas.

Personally, I think it should be every individual's choice what they do. I hope everyone enjoys Christmas to the level theywant to.

Perversely, having posted the above, I will be at midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and there'll be Christmas Carols and songs blasting out of our dvd player on Christmas Day.

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas everyone. Ho ho ho.
 
therod said:
Wasn't a 'winter festival' celebrated pre baby Jebuz?? Before it got hijacked ;)
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You're right, every Christmas tradition has pre Christian pagan origins, we've got a Ladybird book at home which explains it all for the kids. I am also informed that the time of year it is celebrated is also wrong because the shepherds wouldn't be out with their flocks at that time of the year. The non Christmas celebrating Christians (there are a few) also point out that, although there is no clue to the date of Christ's birth in the Bible, the date of his death can be calculated to the day, which, they contend, is the only date that should be celebrated. I don't necessarily subscribe to this belief but it's an interesting point of view.
 
Fyldewhite said:
Each to their own but it's all just another "lie we tell our children".
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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.
 
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