Are You Into The Real Meaning Of Christmas? Or...

[Hashi]

I took the question to be whether Christmas has some sort of deeper meaning for you than commercialism. For example religion, family, keeping in touch with old friends, giving, sharing, reflecting. If so, I think it's a good question.

For me, none of the above positive meanings. It's just stress and expectations. I mark it as little as possible but it's hard to avoid.

The solstice has much more meaning for me, in an elemental way. Only personally though. I don't like communal celebrations of anything.

 

[digger]

We mostly ignore Christmas here. We mark the solstice though because that makes sense to me living in the northern hemisphere with little daylight at this time of year. We have candles and lights and nice things in the house and do nice things for ourselves and others, so in that sense we do have a traditional 'true' christmas as in a midwinter celebration to cheer up the dark days and look forward to, and hope for, lighter ones to come.

 

[Britt.f7]

Um interesting question. I enjoy all aspects of Christmas, though I stink at receiving gifts. Not because I do not like the gifts, just because it is hard to receive.

I use to teach Christian formation. So Christ was always in Christmas then.

Now, Christ is a little less in Christmas, though I consider him in the giving and the family time. I enjoy my time with my kids on Christmas morning. We celebrate Christmas on another day with the rest of the family(over thirty people). The best time of that is when the little kids open their gifts. To see the excitement on their faces is spectacular.

We were poor growing up, so we got hand me downs at Christmas. I'm not sure if my sister remembers that. Or donations. Still my mom tried to make our Christmas's special. I try to do that with my children. Make it special, even when money is tight. Gifts, to me, are a part of that. I miss when they were little.

Of course, having my friends die tragically two weeks before Christmas has effected me immensely(when I was seven). It took me years of therapy to realize why I would always get so hopelessly depressed before the holiday, while everyone was excited. Now I recognize it, acknowledge it, say a prayer and move on.

Yep, giving presents is a big part of my Christmas. Even if it shouldn't be. ;)

 

[nursenurse]

So nursenurse where are you working ? I'm from Canada

Northern Manitoba at the moment., First Nations Reserves.

 

[Changing4Best]

Is that what you mean or do you include a family time? Or do you just mean to ask if we enjoy the time or not?

I was kind of wanting to know how folks view and deal with this holiday and its meaning(s). I only have 3 family members and they all live far away from me and we are not close, other than the occasional phone conversation or email. But I do love spending time with my church family! I enjoy the gatherings, the joy and the niceness that many folks seem to adopt during the season (if only they would be that way all year long).

I know this is a tough time of the year for many. Being left out is no fun, but that is what happens to widows and hated family members, etc. That is so sad and I have been there since I am a widow. I have had to hint that I'd love an invitation and I do get them then, which I am so relieved by! I HATE sitting home alone on Christmas and having no gifts to give or receive and open.

I love going to the Christmas Eve service at church, as well as the pageant that the children put on the Sunday before the holiday. I love getting up on Christmas morning and reading Luke 2 in my Bible. I am listening to Christmas music on my stereo right now and probably will be during most of the hours I am awake until the day arrives.

As to gifts, the three wise men brought gifts to Jesus, but these gifts were used by Mary and Joseph to flee Bethlehem to save Jesus' life! Otherwise He would have been one of the innocents that was killed shortly after they fled. So the gifts were given to His whole family, not just Him. Also, Jesus is GOD'S GIFT to mankind, and He gave us His gift on Christmas morning, whenever that day occurred (yes, we don't know exactly when it was, true).

I guess in closing I want to say that I love this time of year, and do my bit of gift shopping online, so that I don't have to brave the crowds and the rudeness. I also shopped a bit locally when no one else was doing so, to support local business. I live in a small town....

 

[Changing4Best]

...the question assumes there's consensus on the definition of what "real Christmas" is :alien:

I was hoping ya'all would supply that in your written answers, which I see is happening! (Thankfully).

I believe Christmas is ... about love!

I totally agree..

 

[DMerish]

I want to write something scarcastic but I won't.

 

[Abstract]

Trying really hard not to be a downer and a humbug. It's a bit of an effort. Apologies ahead of time! :troll:

The questions up are not of importance to me but what is my impression of Christmas?
I think a lot of pseudo religiousness that people don't really believe in. What I think of as mass hypocrisy.
Rampant materialism without real appreciation.
Bad tempers and impatience in every direction and a lot of unkindness. All that it supposedly isn't or shouldn't be.
Exhaustion, pressure and stress. People crumbling under the weight of it all.
Cards sent to people that you no longer have anything in common with and never feel the need to contact.
People without family or friends suffer greatly. As do those with less than perfect families. The thought of how it "should" be can be hard.
Loads of suicides and depression.

The good parts:
Religious celebration for those that believe. I am afraid I am not religious but I am happy for those who are.
Family and friends and celebrating them.
Presents given with thought and understanding of the recipient and not about how many and how much is to be spent.
Nice food and drink. :D
Time off from work.
Christmas lights and decorations and Christmas trees. :joyful:
London not having many people left in it.
An excuse to drink port. With the accompanying cheese of course.

Always going to hate the practicalities of shopping but that isn't Christmas's fault. Neither is crowds which I also hate. I like the process of matching a gift with a person and making them happy and when I have been able to cope the act of feeding them lovely food.

 

[HemlockGrove]

@Abstract I was slightly skeptical because of your first line but I think your post sums up everything I think about Christmas (Except the religious part - I am Christian and I am thankful in my heart, but I don't think it necessary to make an extravagant deal out of it. But I agree with the mass hypocrisy point though!)

Christmas lights and decorations and Christmas trees.

Definitely the most joyful and calming part about Christmas!! Unless my family decides to just chill and enjoy the moment. That's nice too:)

 

[Changing4Best]

Trying really hard not to be a downer and a humbug. It's a bit of an effort. Apologies ahead of time! :troll:

The good parts:
Family and friends and celebrating them.
Presents given with thought and understanding of the recipient and not about how many and how much is to be spent.
Nice food and drink. :D
Time off from work.
Christmas lights and decorations and Christmas trees. :joyful:
London not having many people left in it.
An excuse to drink port. With the accompanying cheese of course.

I appreciate your honesty here, so your post did not upset me at all.

There is no way I could have listed all the possible answers, but I figured folks would answer in their replies if they did not see what indicated to them on the subject, so I am happy to say that folks are doing just that!

 

[Changing4Best]

One way I am instilling more meaning in my Christmas season this year is to be listening to a collection of music that was put together by Thomas Kincade, The Painter of Light. These pieces of music are his favorite Christmas music to listen to and mine too. There are 4 CDs in the collection, and I just love them.

 

[Ed Norton]

If it were not for the opportunity to see family I would treat it as just another day although I do believe in Christ the Lord.