What does Christmas..........

[Shan]

OK, Thanksgiving is over and I'm in full Christmas mode now.

Soooooooooooooooo, here's a question for you guys.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Shan

[Elliot Kane]

The trauma of finding presents for an entire family with no interests ;D

Well, that's only about half serious

I suppose I'd say for me it was a time for family, and a chance to reaffirm family ties. I'm not a Christian, but it's part of the traditions of my country, and I can't really imagine NOT celebrating it, even though the intent has nothing to do with what I do... If that makes sense.

It'll also be a good excuse to create a 'Happy Christmas' micro, which'll be fun ;D

[Gray Lensman]

Aside from packed shopping malls and rampant commercialism? ;D

Seriously? For me, Christmas is taking a day aside to appreciate the people most important to one's life. This is primarily family for me, but it's also a good time to value friendships with other people. It's also about celebrating the values that represent the best in humankind: generosity, selflessness, respect for one's fellow human being, concern for the welfare of others, and so forth.

And yeah, some Christmas Micros may not be a bad idea, at that.

[Terrordar]

For me, Christmas means next to nothing. It is a shallow event filled with some of the worst traits in the human project.

greed, blind consumerism, violence (this year there has been a lot, duking it out over limited supplied items), and of course, credit card debt.

The day itself means little to me, as it was never really a huge event in my family, so we got gifts? Big whoop.

It means so very little to me now, if anything. Just another day to wake up to.

[janggut]

that warms my heart, TD. ;D

christmas has always been a family & religious celebration for me & others in malaysia. although what TD mentioned is creeping closer & closer here as well.

[Dark Phoenix Rising]

I see christmas as one of the days in the year where you can reaffirm your ties with your family and give gifts and cards to those that are your friends.

[dvdavenport]

christmas means...
bad drivers
rude people
overpriced gas/travel
price gouging on hight ticket items
gift buying obligation
weather cold enough to kill (I live in Minnesota...)

and a chance for everyone to look like a ****ing hypocrite in front of just about the whole world (or at least the rest of the "living dead" at the malls and shopping centers.

[Lisa]

Where im from its more of a religious celebration then anything, and a chance to re-unite with family and or friends.

That and arming yourself with dis-infectant spray, a lunch, a map of the mall, and some sales papers and going into battle.

[tragic]

Not so much a religous thing where we are.

But it is British tradition althougth we do eat the Christmas food..get the tree....oopps!!

(slaps head..i knew something was missing in the living room..wait a second we may get a plastic one...we put in a new carpet recently..my mum still wont let me eat in the living room in case i ruin the miserable carpet!!)

When we were smaller we would have decorations with cards hanging over them!!

Hmm my childhood memories seem to have come back!!

[Tsel]

What Christmas means to me.
Hummmmm
It warms my heart so.

Yule, Dec. 21 (Winter Solstice - Wiccan Minor Sabbat)
This is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The festival associated with it celebrates the birth of the new solar year. The solstice is linked to the rebirth and renewal of the sun god, the lord. Associated with Yule is holly, pine, evergreen, tree (Christmas tree), the gods Odin and Pan, Cedar, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, orange, sage, rosemary, Gold, green, yellow, white, red. The Yule is also known as Day of Children, Midwinter, Mother's Night, Saturnalia, and Christmas.

Tsel

[Dr. Doom]

These days, it's hard to put any king of religious meaning to Christmas, at least in my opinion. Christmas spirit certainly doesn't radiate from all the hapless souls scurrying about the mall. Does the average kid even know the religious background anymore? I woud doubt it.

I like the Christmas season, but more because of childhood memories than anything else.

[TheScreamMan]

Im Christian, so to me it means the birth of our lord Jesus.

Im also human so it means headaches with trying to get people pressies.

[ss]

Isiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isiah 9:6-7, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

"The people in darkness have seen a great light"

In spite of all the truths about what the season has and is becoming, the root remains the same.. It will be fullfilled....Even so, Come Lord Jesus..

[philster]

I was talking with a friend in Holland earlier today about Christmas. She said, "Christmas is just so... gezellig!"

I pressed her to explain. She said it wasn't really translatable in other languages, but that it generally refers to warm, cozy times and being together with friends and family.

It was the perfect word to describe how I feel about Christmas. And it was Dutch.

I'm also a Christian (as most of you know) so Christmas means something more to me as well, but being a true Christian means living every day like it was Christmas. So it's still not that particularly important a date for me, other than being a very important reminder that we are supposed to give, not take.

[philster]

And I have something to say about the parents who trample others to get what they want for their children, as well.

These people are abusing what Christmas is all about to gain adoration from their children. Typically these kinds of people consider themselves poor parents and are trying to gain any advantage they can find in gaining respect from their children.

People need to be more considerate of not just their children, but also OTHER people as well. That kind of crap, where people fight each other to get the last doll on the shelf, isn't being in the Christmas spirit.

[Tsel]

I see Christmas as a special day setup by countries who observe it as a day of warmth of heart and of giving.

I’m not for sure and I could be wrong, but I believe even during WWII there was sort of a small truce for the day of Christmas.
Wow, for even a moment countries can set their differences aside.
Just think what it would be like if all countries could do this daily.

I’ve never believed Christ to be born in December.
I always thought him born somewhere in March – June.
I only celebrate Christmas for its goodwill towards one another.

Tsel

[Dark Phoenix Rising]

It was world war I and both sides ceased hostilities to play football.

[ss]

Shan,

I am setting here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia writing this, looking out the window at the snow "pouring" down in our first big one of the season, and I guess I can identify with you "being in the Christmas mode"

My wife tells me I am a "Scrooge" at heart, but this type of thing sort of mellows you out some.

In spite of all the commercialism and such, you just can't help but overlook it and see all the "extraordinary" stories that come out at this time of the season.

It makes me realise that the light of Christ can never be extinguished...and as Tsel says..He wasn't born in December, and the observation was set by Rome for it's own agenda, but who cares?...

We celebrate that He WAS born, we don't care about the date... ;D

and in case I forget...

ALL OF YOU HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS....

[Shan]

Thanks guys for all of the responses. I guess now it is about time I tell you what Christmas means to me.

Christmas is love, a time for sharing and giving, a time for family and friends. It is a time of happiness and kindness and warm, cozy feelings.

I love everything about the Christmas season from the decorations to the Christmas music. I love the shopping and giving of gifts, the making of cards and gifts for close friends and family. I love going caroling, sharing hot chocolate by the fire, reading "The Night Before Christmas," hanging Christmas stockings on the fireplace, sharing a kiss under the mistletoe and many other things.

Christmas has never really been celebrated as a religious holiday in my family, because we believe we should remember Jesus' birth and live for him every day of our lives not just on Christmas.

Oh, and if you really want to make my Christmas very special, give me a White Christmas. I love it when it snows on Christmas.

Shan

[janggut]

i get melancholic on christmas. i remember about celebrating it when i was a boy. i remember how my mom would sweat & toil to make christmas day wonderful for the rest of the family. as much as i think of Jesus being born to the world on christmas, i can't help but also think of how my mom would put her heart & soul to make that day even more beautiful.

& that is already one of the most wonderful gift i have received.