Meaning of Christmas
12-03-2012, 07:35 AM
#11
Junior Senior
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: Whiskey Papa
Posts: 2,851
I'm not discounting any religion or the celebrations of other faiths. I was just curious what Christmas means to others.
I have a faith, but not one that would bring me to church. I just haven't found one religion that I completely agree with.
Ok, on subject now. Christmas to me meant the gathering of family and friends for good company and food. I would be lying if I said that I hadn't fallen into the commerciallism of it all.
Today marks an anniversary for me and my family. Eight years ago today I was told that my son was sick. He had a cancerous brain tumor and needed surgery to remove it. Four days later he was in the hospital undergoing surgery. My family and I spent 3 months in the hospital during his radiation treatments and the start of chemotherapy. Christmas wasn't celebrated until we got home as a family. The tree and decorations were still up when we got home. Suddenly getting "things" for Christmas didn't mean anything to me. I got the best gift of all that Christmas, my son's life was saved. He will never be the same little boy he was before the surgery, but he's still with me and I am so greatful for that.
To me, sharing time with my family and friends holds more meaning to me.
I have a faith, but not one that would bring me to church. I just haven't found one religion that I completely agree with.
Ok, on subject now. Christmas to me meant the gathering of family and friends for good company and food. I would be lying if I said that I hadn't fallen into the commerciallism of it all.
Today marks an anniversary for me and my family. Eight years ago today I was told that my son was sick. He had a cancerous brain tumor and needed surgery to remove it. Four days later he was in the hospital undergoing surgery. My family and I spent 3 months in the hospital during his radiation treatments and the start of chemotherapy. Christmas wasn't celebrated until we got home as a family. The tree and decorations were still up when we got home. Suddenly getting "things" for Christmas didn't mean anything to me. I got the best gift of all that Christmas, my son's life was saved. He will never be the same little boy he was before the surgery, but he's still with me and I am so greatful for that.
To me, sharing time with my family and friends holds more meaning to me.
First, I am sooo sorry to hear what your precious son and family had to endure and happy it had a good outcome.
Call me a Grinch but I only enjoyed Christmas when I was a kid and then again when I had children. There's nothing as magical as seeing Christmas through an innocent childs eyes. Now that they're grown, Christmas is something I don't enjoy. The commercialization and the market manipulation of stupid people irks the crap out of me. Also, the shameful display of fist fights and other horrible behavior at stores across the country makes me want to puke (or cry).
I'm lucky in that my family lives fairly close to me so I don't need a holiday to see them and have a wonderful dinner with them.
I will admit I DO enjoy watching children's eyes light up at seeing Santa or while looking at a beautiful Christmas display somewhere. I've also been brought to tears watching families reunite at this time of year, especially if they're members of the military.
12-03-2012, 07:53 AM
#12
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,730
I agree with LNL, loved it as a kid, and then again when my 4 kids were small, but it has gotten WAAAyyyout of hand lately, with all the Black Friday Madness, now Thursday night, after Thanksgiving!! And fist fights, cutting in line, to bull rush the Walmart at midnight, etc. It's just plain stupid.
I wonder what Jesus would think if he came back to see the nonsense it has become.
I enjoy Thaksgiving much more, as that's when we all get together and say what we are most thankful for, which is each other.
Christmas has become about marketing; "Gimme That Big Screen", and "I want That new iPhone..." it makes me sick.
Was it Ghandi that said, "Why can't your Christians be more like your Christ?"
I wonder what Jesus would think if he came back to see the nonsense it has become.
I enjoy Thaksgiving much more, as that's when we all get together and say what we are most thankful for, which is each other.
Christmas has become about marketing; "Gimme That Big Screen", and "I want That new iPhone..." it makes me sick.
Was it Ghandi that said, "Why can't your Christians be more like your Christ?"
12-03-2012, 07:56 AM
#13
Junior Senior
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: Whiskey Papa
Posts: 2,851
I agree with LNL, loved it as a kid, and then again when my 4 kids were small, but it has gotten WAAAyyyout of hand lately, with all the Black Friday Madness, now Thursday night, after Thanksgiving!! And fist fights, cutting in line, to bull rush the Walmart at midnight, etc. It's just plain stupid.
I wonder what Jesus would think if he came back to see the nonsense it has become.
I enjoy Thaksgiving much more, as that's when we all get together and say what we are most thankful for, which is each other.
Christmas has become about marketing; "Gimme That Big Screen", and "I want That new iPhone..." it makes me sick.
Was it Ghandi that said, "Why can't your Christians be more like your Christ?"
I wonder what Jesus would think if he came back to see the nonsense it has become.
I enjoy Thaksgiving much more, as that's when we all get together and say what we are most thankful for, which is each other.
Christmas has become about marketing; "Gimme That Big Screen", and "I want That new iPhone..." it makes me sick.
Was it Ghandi that said, "Why can't your Christians be more like your Christ?"
YESSSSS!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday since it's the purest, if you will. NO gifts, commercialization, etc. Just sitting down to a good, old-fashioned dinner with those you love.
(that, AND it's always around or on my birthday that I share with my identical twin daughters)...
12-03-2012, 08:22 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 4,601
Christmas has traditionally been a hard time of year for my family. My dad was in a severe car accident a week before christmas when he was 25 that left him unable to walk for 3 years. Then he had a heart attack at 39 a couple weeks before christmas some years later. My mom has had two strokes, both around the holdays. This year we found out that my dad's cancer is terminal. I still try and stay optimistic throughout this time of year even though it can be difficult sometimes. I come from a very large family (My dad has 8 brothers and sisters and my mom has 9) so its nice to see everyone this time of year. Especially all the little ones that have been coming into the family lately. Lots of 5 and unders so that makes Christmas fun. That is what I most look forward to. That and a new belt.
12-04-2012, 09:39 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Seat 0B
Posts: 2,300
Is it possible to have a true discussion about Christ's -Mass or Christmas without mentioning the first part of the word? The origin and true meaning of any celebration is very important to the meaning of it, otherwise it can become symbol without substance. Thanksgiving is a whole different topic. Not sure Native Americans view it the same way. Just sayin'.
All in all *todays celebration of Christmas is probably different than it was 100 or more years ago.
All in all *todays celebration of Christmas is probably different than it was 100 or more years ago.
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