Perphides

Sometimes its too easy to get caught up in the whirl of activities and forget that there is a reason we celebrate and gift and spread good will and fellowship particularly at this time of year. I always tell my children that the reason we give each other gifts at this time of year is to commemorate, honor, and imitate in our small way the amazing, overwhelming gift God gave us all in the person of Jesus.

I came across this browsing today for Christmas perspective to share with my children, and thought it might be appropriately seasonal as most of us get ready to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends.

I know that often I've been party to many spirited discussions and much disagreement on these board, and, while some of us may disagree on political issues from time to time, I hope everyone I've interacted with here on SLU has a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season with the people they love.

detrius

The real meaning of Xmas is whatever you want it to be.

Personally, I decide to use this time for spending a good time with the people I love and leave the trouble behind me, like sanctimonious Christians who cannot pass a chance to proselytize.

Happy Holidays, Perph.

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Shiloh Lyric

I can only hope that this is meant in the true "spirit" shown, but I have a hard time accepting that it is, coming from you, Perphides. Not just Christmas should be about love if you truly believe what you quoted. If you believe it, then every single day should be about love. I don't see that from you just from what I've observed in the last couple of months. I would feel much more comfortable with you posting this if I truly believed it was heartfelt and real. You can't say something like this one time, though, and then turn around and display arrogance, intolerance, bigotry and superiority the rest of the time. That usually earns someone the label of "hypocrite".

I agree with the "feeling" of what you posted, of course, but generally, I feel that people like you, and you, are a huge part of the reason why Christianity is so despised by so many. It's not just that they don't believe in what I (and you profess) to believe in, it's that they see the glaring hypocrisy from so many self-professed religious or Christian people. So do many other Christians and so does God.

So, Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I hope that the new year brings more understanding, tolerance and a true love-your-neigbor attitude into your life.

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Chip Midnight

The reason for the season is to honor the great deity, Saturn. I'm looking forward to the sacrifice at the temple. Always a great time. Lo Saturnalia!

When I celebrate Christmas, which I usually don't when I'm alone as I am this year, it's the secular variety. My family did a wonderful job of making Christmas a magical time for us kids. Between the time we went to bed Christmas Eve and woke up the next morning they'd transform the house with decorations and put all the presents under the tree. It was like waking up in another world. If I had kids I'd do that for them too.

This year I'll only be observing one tradition, and it's one my dad picked up growing up around the Chesapeake. Oyster stew for Christmas day breakfast. Yum!

However and whatever you're all celebrating I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Ishina

I struggle, I really do. I know we're meant to respect people's beliefs n'stuff, because... well, I dunno actually, but people say it a lot so it must be true, right? But yeah, I struggle. When the Bible verses come out and people start talking about how much God loves us, it is literally on the same level to me as a child running about saying "I'm a helicopter! Yeeewwwng!"

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Cindy Claveau

I'm always puzzled why we have to have one day a year to practice good deeds, charity and love. Why not do that for another 364 days and call it a year?

To me, Christmas is for sleeping in and ignoring my birthday.

Unless someone bakes me a chocolate cake.

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Cindy Claveau

Fortunately, I'm no longer a virgin. So you can take me off the list this year.

Chip Midnight

Not to worry, Cindy. It's usually a suckling pig, but this year the sacrifice will be several bandits, a dragon or two, and maybe that loudmouth preacher in Whiterun.

Cindy Claveau

I would be very happy to put my Daedric dagger in his ass for you.

Shiloh Lyric

That's how it should be, I think.

Ooohhhh, and just for that...Happy Birthday (early), Cindy!!!! I'm not very good at baking, though. So, you get

Mr Twine

The real meaning of Christmas for me, is that I get to show off some cooking skills noone think I have for christmas dinner at my mom's.

Han Held

Despite the fact that I deny Jesus Christ (the deciever) and abjure the christian faith -holding in contempt all of it's works; I nonetheless wish everybody a happy holiday season!

(hey, everybody -we're exchanging slug sandwiches this year!)

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Jupiter Firelyte

Christmas is a religious holiday that annually commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a cultural and a civil holiday containing a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes often marked by decorating, music, a special meal, and gift-giving.

Christmas is a key sales period for the retail industry.

Christmas is a Christian liturgical feast that borrowed heavily and absorbed elements of pre-Christian, pagan rituals celebrated around the winter solstice.

Why doesn't anyone ever ask, "What is the real meaning of the winter solstice?"

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Isabeau Imako

Lots of food, love, and of course laughter, since we drink a lot.

We don't exchange gifts, but the meal is often potluck. Even if there are some rifts between some of the members of the family, I love the fact that for this night, all that is genuinely put aside, i.e. lots of hugging and shaking hands, never any arguing. Since I'm the youngest and live alone, I often end up with all the leftovers.

No midnight mass, or praying before the meal, or nativity scene, like when we were kids - everyone is pretty much atheistic or agnostic now. I do enjoy hearing the bells all chime at midnight, though. And my favourite Christmas carol is 'Minuit, Chrétiens!' (O Holy Night?).


ETA: Oh! and Happy Christmas, everyone!!!

Ann Otoole

Today "Christmas" is nothing but an excuse for more commercials and false expectations.

All religion is false now. All of it. Anyone that actually believes in a so-called "god" is mentally ill and dangerous. Just ask the Taliban.

Misty Harley

Merry Holidays!

I'll be the one nomming my kids baking (because I'm either a slave driver OR she bakes way better then me....you decide) and enjoying the day for what it is to us....family and relaxing.

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Void

test drives new signature.... =D

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Cindy Claveau

Speaking of false expectations. I'll steal this from Madison's post over in ZOMG:

Kids Receiving Intentionally Crappy Christmas Presents Is The Funniest Thing You'll See Today

Shiloh Lyric

Ann! I believe in God and I am neither mentally ill (or at least not anymore....;P ) nor dangerous. Or I'm only dangerous if someone messes with any of my loved ones. Then I'm hell on wheels, but otherwise, I have no plans, never will have any plans, to blow up buildings or oppress women. Or any of that other stuff.

Jupiter Firelyte

What if one believes in many gods or behaves like one does? I'm not saying I do. Just hypothetically speaking. It's a friend of mine.

Chip Midnight

My mom sent me a whole bunch of cookies she baked. Moms are awesome!

Asher Bertrand

spend. Spend. SPEND!

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Sid Nagy

It's Jesus birthday.
O boy, does that guy know how make other people organize birthday parties for him every year again and again without himself showing up ever.