Christmas

[Jo McDonald]

 



Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At WalMart and Staples and Bouclair's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!



 








 
 



 
 



 
   









 



 

[Anmar]

Jesus was born in January.  Christmas is a pagan holiday to celebrate the winter solstice, Jesus never never celebrated it.

Ramadan was a few months ago and you didnt notice, neither did the original author.  I guess the PC crowd needs to do a better job of promoting it.   

[Anmar]

Actually, let me correct myself.  It's not really known when Jesus was born.  The earliest records of people celebrating his birth took place around the middle of May.  There's also a passage in the bible that describes the Date trees blossoming when Jesus is born, that only happens in the spring.

[Warph]

Spoken like a true muslim.... you are muslim, aren't you, anmar?  Of course, you are.

As far as I and millions more are concerned, Ramadan is as pagan as it can get.  No one is interested as to when it is celebrated.

[Anmar]

I'll give you my religous beliefs when you give me yours   

[Sarah]

Actually Anmar, no one knows when He was born.  Most likely it was in the early spring during lambing which is the only time that shepherds stayed with their flocks around the clock, but you know what?  It really makes no difference exactly what day He was born, but the fact that He WAS indeed born and that Christmas is the time we celebrate that.  I don't think it matters at all to God what day we celebrate, but rather the condition of the heart that matters most to Him. 

[Anmar]

Sarah,

I agree with you somewhat.  People should celebrate the principals of what Jesus stood for every day, and I his memory should be commemorated.  The problem i have with christmas is that much of the symbols have been taken from other polytheistic traditions that I don't agree with and actually directly contradict the teachings of Jesus.

[Sarah]

Sarah,

I agree with you somewhat.  People should celebrate the principals of what Jesus stood for every day, and I his memory should be commemorated.  The problem i have with christmas is that much of the symbols have been taken from other polytheistic traditions that I don't agree with and actually directly contradict the teachings of Jesus.

Like what traditions?  (I'm just curious)  It is true that we've taken a lot of traditions in Christmas that have nothing to do with Jesus Himself and made them a part of the holiday.  I guess again this is where heart comes in and you feel it's wrong, then don't do it. 

[Anmar]

As much as i spend time reading and posting here, i really do have a lot of stuff going on.  I will try to post as many as i can as per your request, however i ask that you bear with me.  I have to go back through my books to be sure i get it right.  That being said, I'll start with the tree.

Its pretty much common knowledge for anyone who cares that Jesus was not born in december.  The reason its celebrated when it is is because its the winter solstice.  When Christianity came to Rome and Greece, they needed a way to accommodate the people who didnt want to give up their old traditions.  December 25 in the Roman tradition was Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, which means "the birthday of the unconquered Sun."  This was really an amalgamation of many pagan traditions across different cultures that all revolved around the solstice.   

In the 8th century, saint Boniface was making an effort to convert the pagan tribes of Germania.  At the time, the germans were worshiping large trees and decorating them for the winter solstice.  Saint Boniface cut down the biggest of the trees and a Fir grew in its place.  The germans were pretty pissed off, so a compromise was made.  The germans could continue their custom of decorating and worshiping the tree as long as it was a Fir instead of an Oak.  Christmas had already been changed to the winter solstice, so the timing was convenient. 

The story of the mistletoe is pretty similar.  It was used by the celts and druids as a symbol of fertility.  Mistletoe is actually one of the most recent traditions that have been added to the holiday.  Most cultures didn't associate it with Christmas until the 17th century. 

Ever heard that term "yule?"  Well, Yule was the Scandinavian version of the winter solstice holiday.  In fact, many northern european countries don't call it christmas, they still call it yule.  In england, it was called yuletide. 

Gotta get going, will fill in more later if still interested.  I'm sure steve could lend a hand in this area.

[Wilma]

I think I have read all this someplace, but I still find it interesting.  I like my tree but I am not worshipping it and it does not stand for anything to do with Christianity.  It is just a part of the Christmas tradition.  I would still like to hear the rest of what you have to say.  As I said.  It is interesting and even if it has nothing to do with the Christian faith I would still like to hear about it..