Who's not into Christmas?

[Wordupmybrotha]

I used to love Christmas as a kid. Could hardly sleep the night before. Now, the holiday is annoying. Yes, I accept the theology behind the day, but in practice, it's more work than joyous. At the very least I can't wait for the day to pass so I don't have to hear the lame Christmas music everywhere. Anybody else?
How are you all coping during this time?

[Rex Ho]

Maann..I'm a butcher. So Xmas is exhausting tons of roasts to cut.. but the time I get home I want to just sit back and relax and be anti social.. all about the kids now.. getting them gifts shopping wrapping definitely a pain.. but it does feel good seeing little ones happy..I do enjoy a nice xmas dinner with immediate family

[NaClAddict]

I hate the commercial aspect of it. I am asking to get nothing. Never happens.

[M76]

Never allow the commercialism and consumption to affect your Christmas spirit!

[IronsightsRifleman]

Eliminate all the things that you don't like about it and focus on the aspects that you do. Read the first few chapters of Luke. Call an old friend or family member you like but haven't spoken to in a while and wish them a merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

[DentonandSasquatchShow]

It has become too commercial but why let the Holiday dictate to you how you spend it? Just enjoy the time of year how you like to enjoy it. I was very anti-Christmas for a long time (not the spiritual part but the commercialism). So I just didn't celebrate. No tree, no music, no movies, no presents. Then I finally met a girl who melted my heart and had some kids. Now I see Christmas through a whole different prism. Although hectic it is fun now.

[Garand Hunter]

The plus for Luke's Gospel for sure ! As for the family and younguns coming over it goes back to my young years at home until I spent two Christmas times in the army in West Germany '65 & '66. Those years were just a day on a calendar. But it resumed after that and its been family for us ever since.

Psalm 1

[jarhead714]

I’m in deep. About 2 grand as of last night.

[p7m8jg]

Its become just another day after 65 years with certain expectations/responsibilities you can't get way from.

but I will take the suggestion and look up Luke in the Bible.

[RandyD]

As a kid, I enjoyed getting gifts. Not so much today. I enjoy giving. I have a daughter that is 19 years old and she has a lot of needs so, Christmas is a time to give to her. I ignore the commercialization of the holiday as much as possible, so that does not affect me.

My mother-in-law has no interest in hearing about God, but at Christmas, she has lights, several trees, and decorations everywhere. Her entire house is decorated and adorned with trinkets. At Thanksgiving, she wanted to give away some of her decorations to her daughters. I spontaneously objected and said I did not want the crap in my house. She heard me and just declared bah humbug to me. I told her all of these decorations are a distraction from the real purpose of Christmas.

The more I have gotten into the Bible and understand God's ways, the more I dislike how nonsaved people celebrate Christmas. Santas actually creep me out. The whole elf, Santa, reindeer, and north pole stuff distract the masses from what Christmas is supposed to be about. Even the manger scene is distracting. It's not so much about an infant; it's about a Supreme Sovereign God becoming man to save us from our sins.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Discovered a new appreciation for Luke 10:38-40 while hosting a family get together today. My mom just can't sit still and enjoy the company. She's constantly asking if she can help clear the table and do the dishes or suggesting if she should cut the pumpkin pie or to get people drinks... please for the love of God, just sit still and enjoy the food without doing stuff...please...it causes an anxious environment.

That's Martha right there. Just relax and enjoy the people around you...

https://biblehub.com/context/luke/10-38.htm

[ZapThyCat]

I have a very good friend that veered HARD into "Christmas is a pagan holiday taken over by the church and you are actually worshipping a tree like the groves in the OT and you shouldn't celebrate any holidays but the feasts of the OT and you're actually evil if you observe Christmas or go to church on a Sunday" thing.

It's very sad actually.

[Garand Hunter]

Does he quote the scriptures in Jeremiah about cutting down a tree and decking it with silver and gold and bowing down to it ? I have ran into a couple of those guys here and there. Strange.....I have not in 79 years seen anyone bow down and recite worship language to a Christmas tree. Anybody out there in Calguns land seen that before ?

Psalm 1

[ZapThyCat]

Originally Posted by Garand Hunter

Does he quote the scriptures in Jeremiah about cutting down a tree and decking it with silver and gold and bowing down to it ?
Psalm 1

He quotes a lot of stuff, extremely out of context. It's sad to see where his family has veered off to.

[RandyD]

Originally Posted by Garand Hunter

Does he quote the scriptures in Jeremiah about cutting down a tree and decking it with silver and gold and bowing down to it ? I have ran into a couple of those guys here and there. Strange.....I have not in 79 years seen anyone bow down and recite worship language to a Christmas tree. Anybody out there in Calguns land seen that before ?

Psalm 1

I am 64 y/o and have never seen anyone bow or recite worship to a tree. However, the tree is a form of an idol.

[colossians323]

This thread makes me think of this



Happy New Year!

[ZapThyCat]

Originally Posted by RandyD

I am 64 y/o and have never seen anyone bow or recite worship to a tree. However, the tree is a form of an idol.

Only if someone worships it. Anything that you love more than you love Jesus Christ is an idol.

A tree sitting in your house with lights on it isn't an item of worship unless you worship it.

[TacFan]

I can't stand it anymore. Used to be my favorite as a kid. Now I get a bunch of things I didn't ask for nor need and every year I tell them not to do this to me anymore only to be repeated the next but even more so with more items I didn't ask for.

Urrrghhhhhhhh. Starting to feel like the grinch. I actually get depressed my family is too much into presents.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Originally Posted by TacFan

I can't stand it anymore. Used to be my favorite as a kid. Now I get a bunch of things I didn't ask for nor need and every year I tell them not to do this to me anymore only to be repeated the next but even more so with more items I didn't ask for.

Urrrghhhhhhhh. Starting to feel like the grinch. I actually get depressed my family is too much into presents.

I can relate and I agree.

We sent an out of state cousin a $175 Grubhub gift card since we can't have a meal with their family. So they sent us in return, gift cards for our kids and movie theater gift card for roughly the same amount. What was the point of exchanging money? Wanted to do something nice for them without getting something in return.

I'd rather just not do any gifting ever again. We give useless things to our nieces and our siblings buy our kids useless things in return. One sibling sent out a link of things they'd prefer. On one hand, our purchase won't be a waste, but at that point, we should just buy ourselves what we want then.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Originally Posted by colossians323

This thread makes me think of this



Happy New Year!

Not really

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by Wordupmybrotha

I used to love Christmas as a kid. Could hardly sleep the night before. Now, the holiday is annoying. Yes, I accept the theology behind the day, but in practice, it's more work than joyous. At the very least I can't wait for the day to pass so I don't have to hear the lame Christmas music everywhere. Anybody else?
How are you all coping during this time?

Wow! Thats exactly how I feel about Christmas. It was my favorite day as a kid. Now I just hate all the Christmas songs and commercialization. I wish just once we could pass the year without it. Just tired of it.

[JohnnyMtn]

I am really glad that it is over. I hate saying that because I really like the Christmas holiday. Yes, all of the commercialism and such is a joke. But the holiday itself is a very special thing. At least, it used to be. These past 3 or 4 holidays have not been pleasant, filled with stress, lots of disappointment in the end. What makes it worse is that I know I used to love this holiday but no longer can. But that’s just the way it goes I guess. Just glad it’s over now.

[RandyD]

Originally Posted by Wordupmybrotha

I can relate and I agree.

We sent an out of state cousin a $175 Grubhub gift card since we can't have a meal with their family. So they sent us in return, gift cards for our kids and movie theater gift card for roughly the same amount. What was the point of exchanging money? Wanted to do something nice for them without getting something in return.

I'd rather just not do any gifting ever again. We give useless things to our nieces and our siblings buy our kids useless things in return. One sibling sent out a link of things they'd prefer. On one hand, our purchase won't be a waste, but at that point, we should just buy ourselves what we want then.

When our parents were alive, my two brothers and I gave each other a $100 bill every Christmas for about 20 years. It was pointless, but then again, if you knew my brothers and I.

[IronsightsRifleman]

Originally Posted by ZapThyCat

I have a very good friend that veered HARD into "Christmas is a pagan holiday taken over by the church and you are actually worshipping a tree like the groves in the OT and you shouldn't celebrate any holidays but the feasts of the OT and you're actually evil if you observe Christmas or go to church on a Sunday" thing.

It's very sad actually.

I don't know what to say about your friend's other statements, but he's right about Christmas being a pagan holiday. Sant Clause, decorated trees, gift giving, lavish feasts - these all derive from a mishmash of ancient pagan winter festival rituals. There's nothing wrong with a Christian having Christmas decorations and celebrating the day of our Savior's birth, even on a day that is almost certainly in the wrong season. But, sadly, for many people, Christmas has devolved into a pagan event devoid of God and his only begotten son. We'd all be a lot better off if we did away with the gift giving and the Santa Clause and spent more time celebrating Jesus' birth by being better Christians.

In my best Jeff Foxworth voice...
If you have a Christmas tree and shining lights, but no nativity scene and abundant prayers of thanks - you might be a pagan.

[colossians323]

Originally Posted by Wordupmybrotha

Not really

From my perspective..........really.
This sounds like a grumpy old man thread.

As I march towards death, life just gets sweeter and sweeter.

Thanks to the governments reaction to covid, I started growing a beard during Christmas time, dressing as Santa, and going around to department stores for the children.
It is awesome to see their reactions. Everyone from toddlers, to teens to older adults want to take photos with Santa.
I get to hand out candy canes and teach them about the angels visiting the shepherds in the field (the shepherds crook)
Then teach them how the red on the candy cane is the spilled blood of Christ, and how the white represents the Purity of Christ that they can be clothed in.

The time with family is priceless. My family in Cali gets together once a month for B-days/Holidays and these times are awesome. It is worth it to come back to Cali to be with family and friends.

This year was my companies 25th anniversary and Christmas party.
It was awesome, we gave away 25th anniversary .999 silver challenge coins, the gifts at the party (provided by the company) were awesome, and everyone got bonuses based off of years served.

I don't know what music you guys are listening to, but the historic Christian songs are awesome.
Candle light service is awesome
Advent is awesome.
Driving around and looking at neighborhoods decked out in lights are awesome.

Love life, love this time of year!

[colossians323]

Originally Posted by IronsightsRifleman

I don't know what to say about your friend's other statements, but he's right about Christmas being a pagan holiday. Sant Clause, decorated trees, gift giving, lavish feasts - these all derive from a mishmash of ancient pagan winter festival rituals. There's nothing wrong with a Christian having Christmas decorations and celebrating the day of our Savior's birth, even on a day that is almost certainly in the wrong season. But, sadly, for many people, Christmas has devolved into a pagan event devoid of God and his only begotten son. We'd all be a lot better off if we did away with the gift giving and the Santa Clause and spent more time celebrating Jesus' birth by being better Christians.

In my best Jeff Foxworth voice...
If you have a Christmas tree and shining lights, but no nativity scene and abundant prayers of thanks - you might be a pagan.

I agree, but for me as Santa, I proclaim Christ and that Santa needs Christ too. I don't care who is offended by that, it is a great moment for Santa to proselytize

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

I get it. During this time is the most depressing and challenging time for most people. Just keep your focus on Christ to help get you through.

Or you can practice Advent Conspiracy.

[MrTokarev]

Originally Posted by colossians323

I agree, but for me as Santa, I proclaim Christ and that Santa needs Christ too. I don't care who is offended by that, it is a great moment for Santa to proselytize

We’re big on teaching the kids about the real Saint Nicholas of Myra and playing down the secular Santa. We still watch Santa movies but we make sure they know that those are pretend so it doesn’t become its own secular religion.

Saint Nicholas’s life is really a great example of living for Christ in the face of persecution and deserves more attention this time of year.

[MrTokarev]

Probably not riveting for younger kids but this is a pretty good documentary about St Nicholas.

https://www.christianbook.com/saint-...tory/pd/016511

[Dragunov]

Bah, Humbug to the pagan ritual.

[Dragunov]

Originally Posted by Lumpia is sarap!®

I get it. Durincg this time is the most depressing and challenging time for most people. Just keep your focus on Christ to help get you through.

Or you can practice Advent Conspiracy.

Has nothing to do with Christ. "Saturnalia" was a pagan ritual, LONG before Yeshua! Besides, you should be focused on Christ all the time if you're a Christian, not just on pagan holidays.

[ZapThyCat]

Originally Posted by Dragunov

Has nothing to do with Christ. "Saturnalia" was a pagan ritual, LONG before Yeshua! Besides, you should be focused on Christ all the time if you're a Christian, not just on pagan holidays.

Saturnalia was on the 17th of December. Not the 25th. The solstice was the 21st.

Not saying Christ was born on the 25th, but that's the day we celebrate his coming. We worship God on that day (and yes, every day).

I actually think it's appropriate that we take over holidays meant to worship gods, and we use them to instead worship the One True God.

Toyotathon is next.

[Garand Hunter]

Ditto Zap !

Psalm 1

[GlockN'Roll]

Originally Posted by IronsightsRifleman

Eliminate all the things that you don't like about it and focus on the aspects that you do.

Read the first few chapters of Luke.

Call an old friend or family member you like but haven't spoken to in a while and wish them a merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

[MrTokarev]

Originally Posted by ZapThyCat

Saturnalia was on the 17th of December. Not the 25th. The solstice was the 21st.

Not saying Christ was born on the 25th, but that's the day we celebrate his coming. We worship God on that day (and yes, every day).

I actually think it's appropriate that we take over holidays meant to worship gods, and we use them to instead worship the One True God.

Toyotathon is next.

Amen.

[sonofeugene]

For me, xmas is a pagan holiday that's been commercialized. And since I also don't believe in Christianity (or any other religion) I can simply take it or leave it.

In my neighborhood, it's customary to put up Charlie Brown xmas trees in front of each home. And many go nuts with decorations and lights. But it's all just a ommercial holiday.

[Barang]

wife and i just concentrate on the reason for the season but each year it becomes more and more about a party for many so i'm becoming less interested for the yearly gathering.

as for new year, we decline invitations and just stay at home and treat it as ordinary day.

[rromeo]

My wife passed in early 2020, and the past two years, I didn't do much of anything. I have boxes of decorations and ornaments in the attic, so this year I put up a tree, hung a wreath on the door, put lights on the front, and a few other things about.
Nothing felt different than last year, so I guess I need someone to be a part of it with me.

[colossians323]

Originally Posted by rromeo

My wife passed in early 2020, and the past two years, I didn't do much of anything. I have boxes of decorations and ornaments in the attic, so this year I put up a tree, hung a wreath on the door, put lights on the front, and a few other things about.
Nothing felt different than last year, so I guess I need someone to be a part of it with me.

Sorry to hear bro. I pray for peace for you, and if she was a believer she is in a good place.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!

[dougd1015]

Christmas is what you make it however I have to agree with the others that having to shop for everyone and the complete loss of meaning in the secular world has made it so much less appealing than it used to be. Over commercialization is nothing new really and has been that way for some time but now with hatred of Christians.