Commercial Christmas!

[Iryssa]

I've never been in one but I've heard people talk about "All Year Long Christmas" stores 

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Yeah, there's a couple near where I live...one in the city, and one in the town of Banff...I love them; I think they're beautiful!

The secular parts of Christmas have been around for hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.  I think it was a major mistake to combine these things together when it was done. 

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Yeah...it started out as a noble idea; From what I remember, there's a pagan celebration that same day, so the idea was to distract from it...I'm sure it worked for a while...

Giving is good. Recieving is good. Merchandising is a waste of resources, money and creativity. 

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Well said! And I liked the part about "receiving is good." You don't often hear that. I mean, you don't want to just become spoiled and always be expecting things...but I believe it is right to accept a gift "in the spirit in which it was given." (from one of the Dune books, by Frank Herbert...can't remember which). One of my favourite quotes is "accepting a gift honors the giver." (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Stephen R. Donaldson)

Merchandising...what can be said about it? "Stink. Stank. Stunk." comes to mind (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

[disconnected]

I just feel myself that with Christmas being so commercial that I just cannot in good conscience celebrate it by buying anyone in my life gifts.

My kids have so many toys they don't even take care of anyway, it's a huge rip off.

I spent $700.00 one year on my kids gifts alone.

I'm through with that.

If Jesus got mad at people selling stuff in his Father's house I seriously doubt he'd be very proud that someone is celebrating commercialism supposedly in His honor.

(though I doubt that is His birthdate anyway)

But still, I refuse to conform to this world anymore.

I know alot of people get defensive over this but with people living on less than 80 cents a day, I just cannot go out and celebrate this holiday by buying people more junk that they don't need.

I will however get my little ones involved in giving to others and plan to use the holiday (and every day) to teach them that.

[Laura]

JUST MAKE SOMETHING!!!!!!!

It is about giving, not the amount.

That is what most people have forgotten.

People have long forgotten the "art of giving and receiving".

Give of yourself, your time, your talents, your joy, spread the Gospel, the Joy of the Lord.

Remember J O Y is JESUS Others You!!!

[Iryssa]

If Jesus got mad at people selling stuff in his Father's house I seriously doubt he'd be very proud that someone is celebrating commercialism supposedly in His honor.

(though I doubt that is His birthdate anyway)

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Well, I agree in part...except that not everyone who gives gifts on Christmas is "celebrating commercialism." I believe gift-giving is a wonderful way to show someone love, especially when the gift is thoughtful and personal...I believe that showing love in that way is a perfectly acceptable way to remember Christ's birth! When one loses sight of the real reason for giving the gifts (which is, granted, a lot of the time), THAT'S when it becomes an affront, if you ask me. Remember the reason you are giving gifts, doing it out of love for your friends and family, and especially out of love and rememberance for the greatest Gift God has given us. How can there be evil in doing that?

As far as the date of Christ's birth...no, it is almost certainly not Dec. 25th...I think I've heard that it is actually in the spring sometime. I wish I could remember for sure.

People have long forgotten the "art of giving and receiving".

Give of yourself, your time, your talents, your joy, spread the Gospel, the Joy of the Lord.

Remember J O Y is JESUS, Others, You!!!

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Joy is in the ears that hear, sister Well said indeed!

[PwrInTheBld]

I'm curious as to the nativity scene. Does anyone know why it's portrayed this way? The wise men didn't see the baby Jesus in a manger. They saw Him inside a house. Matthew 2: 10, 11

[Laura]

My nativity scene has no wise men lol.

Correct - they were close to two years later.

They guys do look cool on some Christmas cards, though

[Giaour]

My parents always give "time" gifts.

They do something special with each one of us.

My dad took my husband to a baseball game. My mom took me to swim with the dolphins.

It makes it a special bonding time for us. Beats getting a dust collector.

We make our gifts.

I make quilts, scrap books, bird houses, etched glass, candles etc.

Me and my sisters work on the gifts together 2 saturdays a month starting in October.

We bond as sisters that way.

[Laura]

THAT'S WONDERFUL, GIAOUR!!!

Sounds like a lot of fun too, family time!