Christmas. It's 25th December this year

margaretclare

worried48 wrote: »

Very heavily involved, I am a Lay preacher. I do go to church at Christmas but then I go whenever it's open. I do like the Christmas hymns (not the sentimental mush, but the theologically sound ones such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing (though actually the angels spoke, according to the Bible, but Wesley's original "Hark how all the welkin rings" is a bit dated now!)

What I object to is the false god who is the one truly being worshipped at this time of the year by the vast majority including in many churches (why on earth Christians feel the need to lie to their children on this matter is beyond me, though my parents did it too). This is the false god who is omnipresent (at least on Christmas night), omniscient, and rewards children on the basis of good works (though again, why so many parents insist on telling naughty children that Santa won't come this year if they are naughty, is beyond me)

I completely concur with all of this. Especially the second paragraph.

It's worth remembering, in this context, that it is NOT Christmas yet. Christmas starts - or should start - at midnight on Christmas Eve and it ends at Epiphany, which is 12 days later. Medieval people celebrated the 12 days of Christmas - there's even a popular song/carol to that effect. I have nothing against 12 days of celebration - celebrate it in whatever way seems good to you. 12 weeks of it, now that's something else again.

To the person who wrote that 'if I got together with a man who was a Christmas-hater it would be a relationship-stopper' - well, DH is not a Christmas-hater in that sense. He's a very logical man who sees straight through all the hype, the hysteria and the worship of false gods as quoted above. He was brought up in a Jewish family who had a tree and Christmas presents, and they didn't call it Hannukah! The last person who was close to me who made much of Christmas, enjoyed it etc, died 10 years ago this 30th December. It was her last Christmas in 2002 and she was 39.

Our earlier ancestors kept Geol (Yule) and I know people who still do this. They haven't seen the need to invent a false god dressed in red, but they do have the warmth, the food, the good cheer. I can respect that.

worried48

margaretclare wrote: »

It's worth remembering, in this context, that it is NOT Christmas yet. Christmas starts - or should start - at midnight on Christmas Eve and it ends at Epiphany, which is 12 days later. Medieval people celebrated the 12 days of Christmas - there's even a popular song/carol to that effect.

Totally agree, and what gets squeezed out is Advent. The one time I tried taking a service on the third Sunday in Advent (which is supposed to be about John the Baptist) and actually did a service about John the Baptist, with Advent hymns rather than Christmas carols, I never got invited back! Of course the instant Christmas day is over, no-one wants to sing carols any more. In fact if Christmas falls on a Sunday, mst churches who still have evening services cancel the service, and some even cancel the morning service. Now if that doesn't tell you who is really being worshipped, I don't know what does!

Anyway on a lighter note, since this is a money forum, I wonder if you all know that wonderful advent hymn that is so relevant to this forum?

"On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's cry"

What, didn't you know Baptists invest in the bank of Jordan?

margaretclare

I agree with you about Advent, which actually starts this coming Sunday and is the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It's not a party season, not a time for rushing around, but a time of repentance, forgiveness, quiet contemplation and waiting. Since DH became a Christian this is what he does/what we do.

After Christmas is still a time for singing carols - the Christmas season. However, Christmas carols do not include reindeer, red-nosed or otherwise.

What would have been a relationship-stopper for me would have been if DH had been a smoker, a drinker, a gambler. He's not a 'bah humbug' sort of person, he just doesn't 'do', it, as they say now. We enjoy life in our own way.

DCFC79

Get prepared for the day in 9 days time, remember don't take out a loan for christmas.

bigadaj

DCFC79 wrote: »

Get prepared for the day in 9 days time, remember don't take out a loan for christmas.

That not much of a present, trying to take away many people's reason for defaulting ona loan, bah humbug to you.

stephane_2

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Because I don't do Christmas, Birthdays etc.

You're a sad man....

Apples2

That's why bob lives on his own in a bedsit.

Giraffeseeker

This time last year I was totally stressed out about Christmas. I didn't know how I could afford presents, spend the last few pounds left on each of my credit cards and went for a works night out with £20 cash in my purse hoping that would cover my meal and someone would be nice enough to buy me a drink. Thankfully I wasn't "hosting" christmas day, but felt embarressed about my pathetic contribution to the day, which amounted to some salmon and a bottle of Cava. Horrible situation to be in.

This year is totally different. I went on a DMP in January and have learnt to manage my money. I put an amount into a credit union account from Jan - July for my summer holiday and then from August - December for Christmas. I picked up cards, crackers and wrapping paper in the January sales. I ebayed all year. I joined the sealed pot challenge and this yielded £300. For the first time since I can remember I have done all my Christmas gifts without a credit card and have money left over. AND I am hosting this year so this includes food shopping.

I feel SOOOO relieved to not have to worry about money over Christmas and will enjoy it so much more knowing it is all paid for, and I can't understand why it took me until I am 40 to realise that Christmas is on December 25th every year and needs to be saved for!

opinions4u

Just a reminder, start planning now!

ILW

Christmas is all about the children.
Despite mother being on benefits (not sure who father is), little Tyler cannot be expected to get through Christmas without a new Iphone. IPad and designer trainers.