So what does Christmas mean anyway?

BertieMeldrew

Further to snaffler's thread...

Scanning the posts on here is pretty much like going around the shops approaching Christmas... it's all about money and presents and food etc etc

OK, I know that this is fundamentally a MS site so would expect plenty of that - and it's v.useful as well

However, doesn't it all underline that we have lost the real meaning of Christmas? I'm convinced, these days, that the majority of our children have absolutely no idea what it is about...in fact I'm not so sure that many of their parents do either!

I have to confess that I'm not a regular church-goer - and will offer no excuses as to why not! If I'm honest then it's too much trouble to find an hour once a week to traipse down to the village. However, I always strive to go at Christmas. In all honesty I don't think I could enjoy Christmas with a clear conscience if I didn't recognise exactly what it is all about!

So how do you feel about "celebrating" an event that, in all probability, you don't really care about? I guess it's a bit like wishing someone a "happy birthday" and then asking someone "who is he anyway"?

So will the origins of the celebrations cross your mind at all this year?

liz.._4

For me it is all about the birth of Christ, a non pc statement these days I do agree but true nevertheless. I enjoy the celebrations and so do the kids. Have a Happy Christmas!

Sarahsaver

I have not lost it I am just a non believer. My kids know what Xmas is about, but equally theu know about Eid and Diwali, and have celebrated them all to some extent. I will leave them to make their own minds up, as I myself do not know either if there is a god or if so which one is THE one;)

pavlovs_dog

interesting thread :Talthough i havent been to church regularly for several years, i do always think about the true meaning of christmas.working for argos, i feel like i really do see the best and worst side of christmas. strangely enough, i quite enjoy working christmas eve, because there is such a great atmosphere in our store. the only trouble is, come 4pm, we kick everyone out, and pull down all the christmas decorations to put up the boxing day sale stuff its all over so soon! boxing day (from a work point of view) is undoubtedly the worst side of christmas; everyone bring back all the broken tat they've bought/been given. of course, its my fault personally it didnt work (i maliciously tampered with it before handing it over on collection :rolleyes: ) and so its *my* fault that their child's christmas was 'ruined' :mad: surely there must be more to christmas than playing with this year's top toy?! personally, one of the things that enjoy most out of christmas is the way the family comes together to share in its traditions. pity its just for one or two days a year, but its a start

pavlovs_dog

sorry for crap formatting - bloody pc :mad:

nellis10

Sarahsaver wrote:

I have not lost it I am just a non believer. My kids know what Xmas is about, but equally theu know about Eid and Diwali, and have celebrated them all to some extent. I will leave them to make their own minds up, as I myself do not know either if there is a god or if so which one is THE one;)

I'm kinda with you on this...I'm protestant by birth and my husband catholic (living in Northern Ireland!!) so all religious meaning for me is nonsense...too much crap over 30yrs. Anyway....I'm a non-beliver but my husband sort of believes and he'll take DS to chapel at Christmas (just now old enough at 2). For me...religious symbolism has only a developed from pagan traditions anyway....it's jsut in the 10-15th centuries that they became "Christian" symbols.

So in reality we should be celebrating the winter solstice etc etc at Christmas as this was the original celebration for this time and not Jesus's birthday.

(please note my dates etc could be up the left but my sentiment still stands!! )

Sarahsaver

I had it forced on me, albeit gently! sunday school, remembrance sunday processions with dad, believe in God or you will go to hell and so on. You have a choice but THIS is the only choice...
Its kind of sad now when I am at a wedding or funeral as has happened this year and no one knows the words to the hymns anymore! But truly I know very few Christians who live out their faith and bear witness to it every day, whereas all the Muslims I know are devout. I wish the Christian religion would take bigger steps to 'reclaim' christmas then I would have more of a reason NOT to celebrate it, instead of the 'winterval' it has become!

pudding06

I'm an RE tacher - just dont get me started.

Meaning of christmas ==== money for most people.

I(ts all about who got what and how much you spent on who.

totally lost all religious meaning if you ask me - and I'm not even religious!!!
or should I say i'm not christian

pudds

*Louise*

Well, I will admit to getting carried away with the celebrations, but for me it is all about the excitement of the children and seeing their little faces light up with happiness when they see that 'Santa's been'

I do teach them the religious side - my eldest knows all about Jesus, and the meaning of christmas.

The other benefit of Christmas, aside from the religion and the commercialism...is that it brings out the best in people - everyone is more cheerful, full of goodwill and nicer to other people - it's worth it for that alone.

BusyGirl

I was never taken to church as a child but I was brought up with christian values. However, I have been a member of my local church for the past 6 years and it has become a huge part of my life now. I've met loads of great people and I feel as if I belong to a caring community.:j

earthmother

I think agnostic has been the best description of me in the main - I went to Sunday school, but never quite 'settled', and as a teenager went through a period of not really knowing what if anything to believe in.

Hubby, when I met him was closest to Pagan/Druid religions, and still holds to some beliefs, but over the years has grown closer to the Christian religion.

Now as a family we follow the Christian moral code, but don't actively worship any religion. Having said that, I've probably been to church more times in the past 10 months than in the past 10 years since our eldest son started at a CofE school. He is now asking questions himself, and we're doing our best to answer them.

To us, Christmas is about family, not about presents - we tell the story so that our children can make their own decisions, but are not true enough believers to feel comfortable actually worshipping on the day.