What Does Xmas Really Stand For?

[Gary85741]

I'm basically copying my post from the "black Friday" thread...

Though I'm not a religious person, it seems all Xmas is to most people is going out buying stuff (often that they cannot afford) for people, some of whom they don't give the time of day to the rest of the year!  It's hypocritical.  I guess everyone signs on to this behavior because "everyone else does"?

Also this phenomenon causes its share of trouble and hurt feelings...materialistic people whining or arguing on Xmas day to the gift-giver about not getting what they wanted, and/or who spent more, and similar nonsense.  Then...the day after Xmas...the malls are flooded again by all these people returning the stuff they didn't want...it just cracks me up.  So everyone's right back where they started.

Soon we'll see the usual reports on the news from the malls.  People tired, hoofing all over, spirits broken, and bitching "Dammit I have twenty more people on my list I still have to buy for."  So if all of this is someone's idea of Xmas...fine.  I'll stay out of it.

To me...the spirit of Xmas would involve doing something nice for someone.  Maybe a contribution to an AIDS agency or a community food bank...calling someone to see how they are...offering a few rides to a friend who doesn't have a car...etc.  And for each of ourselves...how about a commitment to treat others as we would wish to be treated.  These things don't come from a mall or melt down a MasterCard.

I know we're in a bad economic situation and I hope the retailers do well from those whose view of Xmas is a shopping trip.  And my comments in this post wouldn't apply as much to those who have children.  When I was a little kid in the 1950s it seemed Xmas presents were more for children anyway, which makes more sense to me.  Geez if I want something for myself I go buy it...done deal.

Gary

[maddalfred]

I am a Christmas Scrooge myself.  My only contributions this year will be the following:

Heading the non perishable food drive for my company in conjunction with the Austin Area Food bank. (did it for Thanksgiving, too.)

Delivering the donations from my year long collection at work for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Inviting two members of a family I have known for years to accompany me to the Austin Ballet production of The Nutcracker who would never have an opportunity to see it for themselves, via tickets supplied to me unexpectedly by another old friend.

The rest of the year, I buy as I can, small things for the few children I do know in my life, nothing hugely expensive, mostly things on sale or marked way down.

I think gift giving at Christmas should be strictly relegated to kids. Period. Having none of my own, I do what I can.

In spite of my currently physical health and financial standing, I do NOT want money being spent on me as though it is an expectation. It's just WRONG, IMVHO.

Rex

[mecch]

Xmas is special or it is crass. You make your own experience and you can ignore the one that doesn't suit you... 

By the way, I've enjoyed many different kinds of xmas over the years.  This year I'll ski with a friend at high altitude, far away from everything, in the brilliant white sunshine.. 

I think xmas is a opportunity to be creative and reflect and have a good time..  If someone wants to share their different idea of xmas with you, then be kind to them, if it doesn't suit you...

[Oceanbeach]

When I was like 16, I had a huge crush on this girl named Leslie (my sister's best friend).  The girls did everything in the church, since I had a car, I was often elected to pick them up after choir practice or youth group, etc., etc.  One holiday season, I was inside and said, "merry xmas" and the ladies let me know, one does not use "X" in place of "Christs" name.  My bad... but at least the roof didn't fall in because I was in the building.

Forward to present day... My parents died like 20 years ago, I have moved a lot and except for a few years with a person named Larry and our friends, I don't do family holidays.  Larry and our friends probably still do every Thanxgiving, XMAS, Easter, every birthday and the Academy Awards but I have not been with them in almost a decade.  As 3 happy couples, we never spent much money on gifts.  Lori always wanted donations made to the animal shelter, Chris was a teacher and had to pay for school supplies because funding during the Bush Administration (the 1st one), we bought a lot of materials for her 5th grade class.

I don't have many close friends or much money.  I sent a little donation (very little) to GMHC because they asked and sent some address labels with a red ribbon.  Six months ago, it was amfAR who asked and got the same little donation.  My finances leave a lot to be desired and I wish I could do more and I have given many hours to HIV funding in Sonoma County over the past few years.  My giving is done and I just don't send cards.

I am not giving Walter a gift but I am giving him a year of marketing for his practice.  He will get a complete redesign and top search engine placement of the web site and a media campaign to bring in new clients.  There has not been a company anywhere which would hire me in the past 12 years, I'm getting joy out of being able to do this for him while he is delighted that I am helping out in the firm.  He pays my travel expenses, parking and takes me to lunch.  This is going to be a good year    Have the best day
Michael

[GSOgymrat]

I confess I'm a big Christmas hypocrite. I'm not Christian. I'm not even the "I don't like religion but I'm spiritual" type.

I do like Christmas though. I love Christmas trees and eating candy. Singing songs and going to parties. Watching people opening presents. Putting up decorations. I like entertaining the fantasy that there could be peace on earth. I like catching an old Christmas cartoon on television and singing "I'm Mister Green Christmas, I'm Mister Sun I'm Mister Heat Blister, I'm Mister Hundred and One." I like wearing holiday ties to work.

I was looking at Christmas cards last week and saw one of Mary and baby Jesus. I thought it was just beautiful! I almost felt guilty because it represents something I don't believe in but then I thought "I believe in art" and bought it.

Even though Christmas starts WAY too early and often becomes a circus I still like it. Some may call me a hypocrite but I prefer to see myself as a happy heathen.

[Miss Philicia]

I like wearing holiday ties to work.

Clutch the pearls, no!  How many Christmas sweaters are in your drawer?

[aztecan]

Having been raised Catholic, I took a page from Catholic practice and stole some Christian practices for my own.

I have a Pagan Yule tree, along with a Yule log. Stopped using artificial ones and, instead, use real trees. Love the smell in the house.

Aside from that, I send holiday cards. I just love sending cards. I have gotten out of practice, but I used to send Halloween Cards, Thanksgiving cards, New Year's Cards, Eid (al Haffa) cards, Fourth of July Cards, Passover Cards, etc.

I should get back in the habit.

HUGS,

Mark

[Merlin]

I enjoy the festivities and street/mall decos for just that. Used to celebrate Christmas when I was a kid but it isn't what it seems to be these days. One can still go to mass and practice a religious period, or plug & play with some shopping thrown in dispel the "bore".

Whichever way, dun take everything so seriously, just do it ! Have fun.

Blessed Be!

 
Michael
A Catholic Wiccan

[GSOgymrat]

Clutch the pearls, no!  How many Christmas sweaters are in your drawer?

Honestly, I don't have any Christmas sweaters. I do have some festive socks with little Christmas trees on them. Ho, Ho, Ho! 

[skeebo1969]

  I like the fact that some fat guy who goes around saying HOE HOE HOE gets all the credit for the presents under the tree from year to year.  If I went around saying HOE HOE HOE I'm liable to get slapped though.

[Queen Tokelove]

Christmas lost it's appeal to me after my parents got divorced. It stopped being a family holiday for me and now it's just another day. I do agree with the OP when he said that folks get you something or expect something and it's the only time you see the person. That happens with certain members of my family. The only person I would attempt to celebrate it with is now incarcerated so my buck stopped there.

Now Christmas has turned down right vicious, people fighting for the lastest game or game system. People getting jacked when taking their gifts to their cars or houses being broken into for the gifts. I mean it is what you make it if you chose to celebrate. I pass or better yet......BAH HUMBUG

[fearless]

For us Aussies, well I guess I should just speak for myself, but it means summer holidays, office shutdown from Xmas eve until 2 January, stinking hot weather, the beach, partying, and a bit of family stuff.

There are no Xmas tress or the like at my house. Xmas lunch is down the coast with the family, eating cold turkey and ham and prawns and watching the littluns get all excited as they unwrap their presents.

[Seadickrun]

I used to put Martha Stewart to shame at Christmas time, making my own wrapping paper, cutting a tree down in the forest, baking for a month, and even lining the driveway with little luminaries.  But then I lost the kids and all rights to them during a nasty divorce and now all I do at this time of year is feel sorry for myself. 

Last year, I got through the holidays by pretending to be Jewish but alas, this year Hanukkah is the same week as X-mas so that's out.  Besides, spinning a dreidel alone is boring:)

I'm a pagan and usually celebrate the Solstice because its the longest night of the Seattle darkness.  I remind myself that every day will get a little brighter and that by Feb. 15th, all the cherry trees will be in bloom again.  I started taking Lexapro again a few weeks ago and seeing a shrink which helps but I find it hard to get excited this time of year because its so dark.  I do look forward to spending X-mas day alone since my roommate will spend the day with his family - and then return home to complain about how f***ed up it was.  He had a less than thrilling Thanksgiving which made me feel marginally better:))

Once one gets off of the X-mas merry-go-round, its seems strange to watch people stress out so much and spend so much for one holiday.  Businesses make upwards of one third of their money for the year between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And families feel compelled to compete with the neighbors in giving to their kids so that the little ones don't feel left out.  Its all pretty bizarre.

[Oceanbeach]

Dear Santa,

I was not asking for the Barbie doll, I was asking for 100 Phenobarbital

   Have the best day
Michael

[red_Dragon888]

maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKk9rv2hUfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTkTHYEY0y0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkDELa8YSqY&feature=related

[Miss Philicia]

[red_Dragon888]

   So if this was the main ideal of the bible it would not have gone far...

[Oceanbeach]

I had this friend who went down stairs on Christmas Eve to see what Santa had brought, while his girlfriend was sleeping.  Her family was visiting from out of town and came to share the joy of the holiday season with their daughter.  There were gifts, food and festivities and a boy cousin sleeping on the couch.

He just knew the boy was gay and was his gift from Santa.  Dale slipped out of bed, left his undies in the stairwell and as he was getting under the covers on the couch, the boy woke up, started yelling and punching.  He woke up everyone in the house and probably in the neighbors house too.  His girlfriend left in the middle of the night with her family and never came back    Have the best day
Michael

[denb45]

I'm a Scrooge myself,  don't like Xmas ,and don't really do the traditional stuff, Xmas is a time for change, and it always makes me sad  (as I don't really have any Family or any money to spend on it) to me it's just as pagan as can be ,and the same as any other day to me  ,so, "what's all the fuss" is what I say every yr. 

[red_Dragon888]

I had this friend who went down stairs on Christmas Eve to see what Santa had brought, while his girlfriend was sleeping.  Her family was visiting from out of town and came to share the joy of the holiday season with their daughter.  There were gifts, food and festivities and a boy cousin sleeping on the couch.

He just knew the boy was gay and was his gift from Santa.  Dale slipped out of bed, left his undies in the stairwell and as he was getting under the covers on the couch, the boy woke up, started yelling and punching.  He woke up everyone in the house and probably in the neighbors house too.  His girlfriend left in the middle of the night with her family and never came back    Have the best day
Michael

you must be kidding...

[Oceanbeach]

you must be kidding...

No, this really happened    Have the best day
Michael

[red_Dragon888]

I had this friend who went down stairs on Christmas Eve to see what Santa had brought, while his girlfriend was sleeping.  Her family was visiting from out of town and came to share the joy of the holiday season with their daughter.  There were gifts, food and festivities and a boy cousin sleeping on the couch.

He just knew the boy was gay and was his gift from Santa.  Dale slipped out of bed, left his undies in the stairwell and as he was getting under the covers on the couch, the boy woke up, started yelling and punching.  He woke up everyone in the house and probably in the neighbors house too.  His girlfriend left in the middle of the night with her family and never came back    Have the best day
Michael

this would make a nice short movie for logo

[Oceanbeach]

I have a lot of times in my life and the lives of my friends, all strange and all true.  It isn't easy being me but, I do it well    Have the best day
Michael

[red_Dragon888]

I have a lot of times in my life and the lives of my friends, all strange and all true.  It isn't easy being me but, I do it well    Have the best day
Michael

That is what little girls great writers are made of...

and yes kind of off topic

[Oceanbeach]

My "happy-go-lucky" Xmas stories are few and far between.  I do have one which would make innocents  cry but let's focus on the joy of the holiday instead and let the other writers get a word in edgewise    Have the best day
Michael

[J.R.E.]

Speaking about Christmas,...This article was in Sundays paper ;

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1609144921.html?dids=1609144921:1609144921&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+7%2C+2008&author=COLETTE+BANCROFT&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=L.8&desc=A+HOLIDAY+FETE+SHAPED+BY+CHARLES+DICKENS

A HOLIDAY FETE SHAPED BY CHARLES DICKENS
St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg, Fla.
Author: COLETTE BANCROFT
Date: Dec 7, 2008
Section: LATITUDES
Text Word Count: 1411

 
Looking forward to a day off from work on Christmas? Planning to open gifts and share a big turkey dinner with your family?

Thank Charles Dickens.

If not for the beloved British author and his "little book," your Christmas might be much more like the Cratchits' - before Scrooge saw the light and bought them the biggest turkey in the poulterer's shop.

How Dickens' A Christmas Carol came to be - and it almost didn't - is the story told in Les Standiford's fascinating new book The Man Who Invented Christmas.

Standiford, a novelist and author of nonfiction books, is the director of the creative writing program at Florida International University in Miami. He'll be talking about The Man Who Invented Christmas Monday night at an event presented by the Henry B. Plant Museum at the University of Tampa.

The museum's lushly ornate Victorian Christmas Stroll provides an apt frame for the event. The notions we hold of a traditional Christmas - piles of gifts, feasts and parties - were largely popularized by Dickens' fable, as Standiford makes clear. In Britain and the United States in the first half of the 19th century, Christmas was only a minor holiday.

Thank the Puritans for that. Oliver Cromwell and his crew made the celebration of Christmas, which they considered a corrupt practice based in pagan and Roman Catholic beliefs, illegal in England in 1645. In the Colonies, marking it with anything but somber prayer could have gotten you clapped in the stocks.

By Dickens' day a couple of centuries later, attitudes were less severe, but few people indulged in elaborate celebrations of the holiday - so Scrooge's humbug huffings weren't all that unusual.

Indeed, Dickens encountered something of the same humbug when he proposed the book to his longtime publisher in the fall of 1843. Dickens, then 31, was already an international success with bestsellers like The Pickwick Papers,The Adventures of Oliver Twist and The Old Curiosity Shop under his belt.

Those novels had been serialized, published in monthly installments as Dickens wrote them. His publishers wanted more of those blockbusters, not some lightweight thing about a minor holiday. But the idea for A Christmas Carol had come upon Dickens like a vision, and he was so passionate about it he wrote it in six weeks and financed its publication himself.

The book was an immediate success - its 6,000-copy first printing sold out in four days - and a long-term one, inspiring countless plays, movies, radio and TV versions, cartoons, comic books and more. Its reach extends much farther, though; it was also a major influence in creating the Christmas we celebrate today. Standiford even credits Dickens with hatching the turkey farming industry.

There are shelves full of thick biographies and volumes of literary criticism about Dickens, but Standiford writes engagingly for the general reader. He does a wonderful job of placing A Christmas Carol in its historical context and providing a concise biography of its author, whose childhood of poverty and humiliation led to a deep sympathy for the downtrodden that shaped all his work.

Standiford also makes insightful connections to the book's contemporary influence, and he makes a gratifying argument for reading A Christmas Carol - something millions of people familiar with the story, whether from George C. Scott or Bugs Bunny, haven't done.

He's right. Pick up A Christmas Carol, whether for the first or 40th time, for a delicious taste of Dickens' distinctive voice, and pick up The Man Who Invented Christmas to find out how the other book happened.


Credit: Times Book Editor



Ray

[carousel]

I like Christmas, though I know that I don't have much money to go crazy.

It's a chance to be with the family.  I know I'll get some decent presents.  I tell everybody what I want and woe betide anyone who deviates from the list or buys the wrong model.  'Oh you bought me that scanner I been wanting.  What a wonderful surprise'.

It's 2 weeks off work, one good thing about my work is that we close completely down.

Favourite thing to do on Christmas Day used to be going clubbing.

[tendai]

time to get with the family and hopefully get new clothes and eat dellcious food while we celebrate the birth of Jesus

[red_Dragon888]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHASQg8fR0s&feature=related

[red_Dragon888]

in a few songswhat Christmas stands for me...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHASQg8fR0s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_c_MHkba5c&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqp89bkFe8k&feature=related