What is Christmas - really?

[Who me]

3 hours ago, nebula said:

What are ways to incorporate the meaning of the intended symbolism into our decorating and celebrating?

In two ways.

We know the excesses  that a commercially  minded society encourages, we need to settle on a level of physical celebration that is not too self indulgent.

We also need to both mentally/spiritually worship God in our preparation and celebration of Christmas as well as vocally acknowledge  what Christmas is about.

 

Practically that can mean spending the extra on cards with a Christian greeting inside, in not having lights depicting santa clause or wearing Christmas jumpers that depict him, elves etc

And of course going to church on Christmas Day.

 

The list is not exclusive and certainly not prescriptive, butoour worship is primarily spiritual, not about what we wear or do but the attitude we have in us.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, nebula said:

That's fine that you believe this, but I'm hoping for responses to the reason for my post, as expressed at the end.

Okay. My personal opinion is the holiday is tainted well beyond recognition, so that it is testifying of Christ only in the minimal sense - therefore, if it was up to me, I would scrap the whole thing.  And if someone wanted to start a new, pure holiday promoting the Son of Man coming into the world, that would be fine. (but it wouldn't be me, as I see each day as the same)

[ayin jade]

6 hours ago, nebula said:

What is Christmas? Is it a Christian religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ, or is it a national cultural holiday, celebrating a good time with decorations, songs, festivities, get-togethers, and gift-giving? I propose that it is both. After all, even atheists decorate trees and exchange gifts!

Are either wrong? Well, that's a topic for a different debate.

But as Christians, while we claim it is about the birth of Christ, we set up lights without acknowledging the Light of the world, we set up an evergreen tree without contemplating everlasting life, we give gifts without acknowledging the Gift of God, and we open presents Christmas morning without even spending a few moments to reflect on the incarnation and Christ's birth.

So, what can we do to change this? What are ways to incorporate the meaning of the intended symbolism into our decorating and celebrating?
What ideas are out there?

One year, the local mormon churches ... as many of them as there are Christian ones .. opened their doors to the public with a display of nativity sets from around the world. Perhaps to encourage the public to grasp the meaning of Christmas and His birth, Christian churches should have a display open to the public of multiple nativity sets. Living nativity scenes or plays will also show the public the story of Jesus and who He is and why He came to us.

As for my home, we do not go overboard with decorating outside. We have 2 large nativity sets. Both of which I need to dig out of storage lol. It got put there earlier this year when we emptied the garage because of rats getting into my car engine.

[missmuffet]

6 hours ago, nebula said:

What is Christmas? Is it a Christian religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ, or is it a national cultural holiday, celebrating a good time with decorations, songs, festivities, get-togethers, and gift-giving? I propose that it is both. After all, even atheists decorate trees and exchange gifts!

Are either wrong? Well, that's a topic for a different debate.

But as Christians, while we claim it is about the birth of Christ, we set up lights without acknowledging the Light of the world, we set up an evergreen tree without contemplating everlasting life, we give gifts without acknowledging the Gift of God, and we open presents Christmas morning without even spending a few moments to reflect on the incarnation and Christ's birth.

So, what can we do to change this? What are ways to incorporate the meaning of the intended symbolism into our decorating and celebrating?
What ideas are out there?

For the Christian:

It is a Holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

For the secular world:

It is primarily a time for family gatherings, gift giving,

festive decorations, good will and cheer and

Santa Clause.

[In the Clouds]

2 hours ago, Who me said:

In two ways.

We know the excesses  that a commercially  minded society encourages, we need to settle on a level of physical celebration that is not too self indulgent.

We also need to both mentally/spiritually worship God in our preparation and celebration of Christmas as well as vocally acknowledge  what Christmas is about.

 

Practically that can mean spending the extra on cards with a Christian greeting inside, in not having lights depicting santa clause or wearing Christmas jumpers that depict him, elves etc

And of course going to church on Christmas Day.

 

The list is not exclusive and certainly not prescriptive, butoour worship is primarily spiritual, not about what we wear or do but the attitude we have in us.

Yes, it is what is in our hearts and spirits.  It's not about going through the motions or secular rituals.

Maybe Nebula would like to share her perfect description and action on how this is to take place, too.

[nebula]

7 hours ago, In the Clouds said:

Yes, it is what is in our hearts and spirits.  It's not about going through the motions or secular rituals.

Maybe Nebula would like to share her perfect description and action on how this is to take place, too.

I don't know, that is why I ask. 

I just know that Christians have associated the evergreens and the lights and the gift giving and all with symbolism of the Gospel, but no one does anything to connect the symbols with the meaning - that I know of. But I want to. I just can't think of how. 

I need this time of year to hold a deeper meaning to it than what I and what's left of my family have been doing. I need something to override the pain.

[missmuffet]

52 minutes ago, nebula said:

I don't know, that is why I ask. 

I just know that Christians have associated the evergreens and the lights and the gift giving and all with symbolism of the Gospel, but no one does anything to connect the symbols with the meaning - that I know of. But I want to. I just can't think of how. 

I need this time of year to hold a deeper meaning to it than what I and what's left of my family have been doing. I need something to override the pain.

What does Christmas mean to you? You should embrace that. Is it Jesus or who can give each other the most

expensive gift?

[In the Clouds]

Oh Honey,  I had no idea.   I  lost my family at a very young age.  I loved the time we had together even though it wasn't for long.  But such as it is, I was given a lovely gift from my grandad of learning and knowing Jesus.  What a blessing. 

[In the Clouds]

And I  love to share Jesus.  He is our reason for living.   What purpose do we have without Him?

[missmuffet]

8 minutes ago, In the Clouds said:

Oh Honey,  I had no idea.   I  lost my family at a very young age.  I loved the time we had together even though it wasn't for long.  But such as it is, I was given a lovely gift from my grandad of learning and knowing Jesus.  What a blessing. 

My parents died when I was in my 20's so I was young. My brother sat down with me at my parent's

kitchen table and gave me a small pamphlet telling me who Jesus Christ was and how to be saved

and go to heaven. I thank him for that. He is now in heaven.