Latest Poll: Do you believe in Santa? In all honesty, I should have voted no, but I believe in the "spirit" of Santa - especially when you are able to buy a gift for an underprivledged child. At our church, we have a tree, that has paper trees with information of a child, and things this kid would like. What better feeling can you get when you make this kids Christmas? Hopefully, the memory will stay with the kid, that people reached out to them when they needed help, and will pass it on when they are able. Yeah, it's a little neive (sp?) but, you have to wish for the best, right? (38)
Joined: Mon Mar 29 2004 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 1700
I voted yes, too, OBB. It is the spirit of Santa Clause that made me do it too. It is all about the kids. Helping underprivileged kids, or just your own kids, or both! I always loved the Xmas season when I was a kid, and I still do!
Even if I didn't believe in Santa Clause before, I would now- we have him in full living color on our banner up top! If the Crew says he is true, then I believe them- (23)
I had the dubious honour of confirming to my 9 year old daughter that Santa wasn't real last Xmas when she asked me.. and she reached the logical conclusion that the tooth fairy and he easter bunny didn't either. It was the moment I realised that my girl was growing up and would soon start being moody and slamming doors saying "It's sooo unfair , I hate you!"..instead of "I love you Daddy"...*sniff*.
My 3 year old is having his first Xmas were he really knows whats going on and the look on his face when he sees a Santa warms my heart.
I'm with the whole believing in the sprirt of Santa thing
Joined: Tue Nov 16 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 45
Well, my hubby is a rock musician and many years ago on theire x-mas conserts they had santa hanging down from the roof with a rope around his neck. Aca santa is dead (69)
Hmm, maybe a bit rough and radical? But our point is that when santa takes all focus away from why we really celebrate x-mas, then something is wrong and it's hard not to make a point when you have a strong belief in something!
But as you all can understand, a rock concert do not have tender little children hearts in the audience. ;)
We do not raise our children regarding to x-mas in a "santa claus-spirit", we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. On x-mas eve ( wich is what we celebrate here ), we sing Happy birthday to Jesus!
But off course, there is alot of magic, excitement and thrilling feelings around x-mas that we want our kids to feel and experiense...and over the years there has been a few santa claus decorations that somehow sneaked in.....
Eh, Christmas is just the psudo Christian version of the Winter Solstice. Go figure. Oh, here's another debate, but I don't think I want to touch it, lol. <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sat Dec 11 2004 ]</span>
*HmS*OBB wrote ... Eh, Christmas is just the psudo Christian version of the Winter Solstice. Go figure. Oh, here's another debate, but I don't think I want to touch it, lol.
Yes and no. Pagans weren't the only ones that noticed that days got longer come the Winter Solstice. Christmas is a liturgically commemorated event -- meaning the date's not historically accurate, but forms a core in the early Church's liturgical year. When early Christians were 1st celebrating the nativity, they were still being persecuted and were outlawed. Not likely to take on the beliefs/festivals of their persecutors. But, on the Julian Calander the solstice occurred on December 25, 9 months after March 25 when Easter and Christ's conception were celebrated. 9 months after...get it? Conception, birth.
In Rome at that time, a new sun worshipping cult was beginning to get popular after Emporer Aurelian declared the sun god the divine patron of Rome. After the Edict of Milan in 313, Constantine pretty much said hands off the Christians and they were free to pounce on the pagan sun worshipping thing. Worship of the sun was turned to worship of Christ by comparisons of the winter solstice (when the days start growing longer again) and the birth of Jesus.
*Context note: when I say Pagans up there, I'm talking about Roman and Persians with the "unconquered sun" cults. As far as I know, the big festivals for pagans/druids in the Isles were Beltane (May Day) and November 1st -- (Samhain in Ireland) which take place away from the equinoxes. Everybody was into the Midsummer thing, the one solar claander event constant in a lot of cultures into agriculture.
Ah.... pagean festivals hijacked by the Christian church to ensure that it is the dominant religion (at least in the UK)... I could be here all day....
But I think that vaguely covers all I'd have to say.. so I'll leave it there...
Merry Xmas everyone... I'm off to Toys R Us under the false reason of going for the kids presents (which we have already) so I can look at all the star wars lego....
Deep, OMG, your theological treatise was....so..."deep" (25) I had no idea your knowledge of the rise of Christianity, the fall of paganism, and the earthly equinoxes was so vast (63) Just kidding (23) However, it was impressive. lol. have a good xmas.
Poll:Are you going to have a white Christmas? Well, I think it depends on if you live in Colombia or not......ROFLMAO (86) <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Tue Dec 14 2004 ]</span>