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I often stop and think about what it is I am celebrating on holidays, and quite honestly, I rarely come up with an answer. I can’t see how a single one of the traditions we associate with Christmas have anything to do with the birth of Christ. Saint Nicholas was a Byzantine Bishop who was adopted by the Dutch as a mythical figure, “Sinterklaas.” He is also taken from the PAGAN Germanic God Woden, of Wednesday (Woden’s Day) fame, who went flying around on his flying eight legged horse and dropped candy down the chimney into the boots that little children had left for him after the night of the Yule, a hunting party. The chistmas tree comes from the PAGAN belief that the evergreen tree represents the renewal of life that occurs when the days start getting longer. Nothing to do with Christ, in fact both are primarily from a group which Christians are very much against. One might argue that Christmas isn’t celebrated like that for people who are more religious, but that’s bull, I see Christmas trees up in churches all the time.

I guess now I feel a little better about celebrating Christmas, since the only thing it has to do with Christ is the fact that it’s named after him, and he might have happened to be born on the same day (maybe). However, the other, more American outlook on Christmas is equally as repulsive. Commercialization of Christmas is about a bazillion times worse than the religious aspect. I know it’s happening, too, because I discinctly remember not two or three years ago caring feather nor fig about seeing all my family, I wanted some PRESENTS!!! I hate the idea of spoiling kids rotten and giving them all the gifts they can squeeze onto their “git” lists, it’s just promoting this materialism that’s making these corporations richer than ever. This year, whenever I’m asked what I want for Christmas, I’m replying “Peace on Earth.” I’m expecting a lot of socks.

And then there’s the warm, loving family that is really what it should be about, that and my sun-worshipping love of the lengthening of days.

We’re with you folks in our household. I don’t believe in Christianity so celebrating Christmas for that is out. I’m not particularly into commercialism and no longer believe in Santa so that part is out. What’s left? Solstice. Sage and Paul celebrate because they love the winter - and by that time it is quite cold and snowy here in Toronto and we have 3-4 more months of that to look forward to which makes them happy. Meanwhile, I’m with Nella, yay for longer days!

Did you guys see the fun clip of Sam Seder (a liberal radio show host on Air America) on CNN being hugely sarcastic about the so-called War on Christmas? It is very entertaining.

I love things like that. I hadn’t seen that before you mentioned it. It had me grinning the whole time. It’s almost been proven that Christmas has nuclear weapons. Wooo! Thanks for sending that in.

Amen! Oh, wait, that might not be the best thing to say, considering the circumstances. I’m not Christian, either - or, for that matter, even religious - but I celebrate Christmas for the same reasons you do. Well, OK, I admit presents don’t hurt, either. But I think you sum it up nicly. Honestly, these Conservative Christian fanatics in this country seem to enjoy making everything political - unless it hurts them. They wouldn’t mind making Christianity the official government religion, but would go to great lengths to make sure Judaism, for example, doesn’t gets that “honor”.

But take comfort in knowing that while your enjoying the holiday season with your family, these people find it important enough to make sure every kid in school has to sing some Christmas charole. Well, actually, I dont know how you can take comfort in that. Pass the eggnog, please.

Please understand that just because someone checks off christian on an application doesn’t mean they are one. Most people haven’t the slightest clue who Jesus Christ is. Yes even people who go to church every Sunday. It is so crushing that so many people view Christianity as a joke. Unfortunately what the general public sees are televangelists making such a mockery of Christianity by living such “goddy lives”, having avid affairs, and cheating the government. In fact it should be that the true lovers of Jesus Christ are humble servants who do everything not to bring glory and fame onto themselves. Myself excluded from the humble part. I’m really sorry that so many people have a “bad taste in your mouth” for Christ. I do hope that you haven’t made your decision based on observing someone elses actions or lack thereof. But I hope that you have considered the historical facts. Trust me there are plenty- search it out for yourself. (Not trying to get all preachy on you.)

Back on the topic…take what the meaning of Christmas is to you- shouldn’t that be everyday? Why celebrate family, life, love harmony only once a year?

To me CHRISTmas is everyday. Thanks for letting me have my say.

I have nothing but respect for you. You have made many important points, and I am glad you came here to present them. Thanks.

Gotta get this off my chest [WARNING: the following is mildly off topic]

True lovers of Jesus Christ should be doing everything within their power to help the homeless and the sick, not worrying about homosexuality nor abortion (remember the sheep and the goats? remember what Jesus said was the most important commandment? most “Christians” remember neither of those things). That’s the thing that gets me, when I see so many “Christians” focusing on issues that, if there actually was/is a Jesus, Jesus wouldn’t worry about in the least, meanwhile ignoring the needy and the poor.

To the point of this post, several years ago I told all family and friends not to buy my anything for Christmas. Since that time, I’ve come to enjoy the holiday season like never before. Once in a while, I receive gifts, but I don’t feel guilty because everyone that knows me knows my stance on the issue. I buy gifts from time to time (this year, I bought gifts for 3 people; last year, none), but it’s not something that stresses me out. Thanksgiving and Christmas have become my favorite holidays. The time to relax with people I care about is perfect.

That can’t/doesn’t happen every day because some friends live far away, some family only visit for the weekend, and I’m not cooking a turkey and awesome mashed potatoes every day!

Call it Christmas, X-mas, Festivus, the name isn’t important, it’s what you do with the time.

I grew up in baptist churches. They’re about as fundamental as you get. I still subscribe to many of those teachings. But i can’t stand these people that are using the church as their political pulpit to pound the religion of consumerism down the gullets of their listeners. Boycotting target because they took the word Christmas out of their holiday advertising? I say leave them alone. Christmas is not, or at least should not be, merchandising.

Christmas gifts are meant to be reminders of the gifts of the wisemen to the infant Jesus. From a religious perspective, they ought to be gifts to your local church or perhaps the needy. Instead we focus primarily on giving things nobody really needs to people who really don’t need anything else. And when so called men of the church get up and tell us that we should be outraged because someone refused to use the word Christmas when they sold us this crap, they’re as much as saying, this is what Christmas is about… Well that and throwing temper tantrums until you get your way.

I say we send target a medal, no matter what their original motivation was. Then we take the word Christmas out of all commercial advertising with the possible exception of holiday specific decorations. (In other words, sell me Christmas nativity sets or Hanaku candles, or what not.) And then we go a step further and let anyone anywhere wish anyone a happy whatever they want whenever they want.

The symbol for Christ in greek is X. So there. The Name of CHRIST
“The monogram of the name of Christ, formed of the two first letters of that name in Greek, X and P is the celebrated sign which appeared in the sky at noon-day to the Emperor Constantine and his troops, and was afterwards adopted by him on his standard; the monogram is hence sometimes called the Labarum, as well as the Cross of Constantine. If there had been any doubt as to the signification of the [symbol] an instance occurs on one of the bas-reliefs in the Catacombs, of a rude representation of a lamb whose head is surmounted by the Labarum probably the date of this is the latter part of the fourth century. In another instance figure occurs bearing a sheep on his shoulders, while the surmounts the head of our Lord in order to denote the divine character of the Good Shepherd. In Plate xxxviii. are several examples, showing much ingenuity displayed in combining the letters. In No. 9 we have the typical wreath of Victory surrounding the device, and in Nos. 12, 15, and 16, wreaths and palm-branches appear, no doubt in allusion to the motto which was, according to Eusebius, inscribed on the Labarum, EN TOYT NIKA, meaning, ‘Conquer by this.’ No. 11 is taken from an early piece of sculpture in the Catacombs, and clearly represents a young Roman Christian bearing the form of the Cross as a standard. One of the examples given (No.14.) was found marked upon the plaster of an early tomb in the same series of subterranean vaults. Between the lines of the monogram will be found traced the letters ES[T] DEUS; some have supposed that the presence of this monogram upon a tomb was a sign that he who was buried beneath had suffered martyrdom.

In very many instances in the Catacombs the inscription commences with this monogram, occurring sometimes in the form such as

IN ASELUS D(ORMIT)

but generally without the IN before it. A good typical example is given in Plate xxxix. (No.20), which has the A and also at the side. In these cases the “in” is no doubt understood, and though this form becomes changed, probably the custom of commencing inscriptions, deeds of gift, &c. throughout the Middle Ages with the plain Greek cross, has its origin in this, being equivalent to In nomine Christi .

One or two early signet-rings have been found with the Labarum for a device, one of which is here engraved… It was also used as a device for such ordinary objects as lamps, &c…

“The more usual monogram of our Saviour in later times is the IHS. (which are the first three letters of the Greek, or JESus). This is constantly found throughout the Middle Ages, whether carved in stone or painted on glass. It is singular that the form should have been lost sight of. while the IHS became so frequently used, for they both represent the same great Name; the one is as expressive as the other…” The Calendar of the Prayer-Book, Illustrated, With an Appendix of the Chief Christian Emblems, published at Oxford, 1909.

I know this is a little after the event, but I still felt compelled to add my voice to the discussion.

I’m a Christian, and have been for 2 years. Before becoming a Christian I still celebrated Christmas. I still went through the motions of Christmas dinner, presents, the tree, Christmas cards, etc. None of this stuff matters. People of faith celebrate Christ’s birth on this date. Jesus Christ who’s message was one of love and salvation. Call me crazy, but I don’t this has gone from Christmas for non Christians.

Many people have spoken about spending time with family and friends: Those they love. Sometimes as Christians we get annoyed that people jump on the Christmas band-waggon in an attempt to make that most desirable (yet misused) of commodities: money. But we forget the good works that go on all over the world, by non Christians, but in the name of Christ.

I don’t think there’s any way to remove Christ from Christmas. Even under another name, it’s essentially the same: A time to show love and good will to your fellow man. Yes, sometimes it looks like it’s been twisted out of all recognition, but it’s far from all bad.