Eric Idle's Christmas song sums up my feelings on the subject perfectly.
Results 31 to 42 of 42
Thread: 'The War on Christmas'
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16-12-2016 07:50 AM #32
Didn't Christians originally "steal' Christmas Day from the Pagans though?
Fwiw, it's reckoned that Jesus was born around September/October as that was when records show the census was.
Just sayin', like.
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16-12-2016 01:12 PM #33This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
It's actually the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ - the Word of God made flesh - rather than a birthday party. The Christian belief that the God Who created the material world entered that world in order to redeem that world, rather than the birth itself.
Since many members of the early Church were either indentured servants or slaves - who couldn't 'get off work' - it probably seemed sensible to hold the Christian celebration at a time when everyone else was celebrating. The Saturnalia was a time of year when normal rules rather went by the board.
The whole season suffers from an overlay of Victorian sentimentality ('See, amid the winter's snow' sort of stuff) and modern materialism (Black Fridays and Boxing Day sales).
There's nothing at all wrong with having a cheer-up time in midwinter whatever your beliefs.
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16-12-2016 01:36 PM #34This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I'm no Christian (or Muslim, Jew, Buddist etc etc) and there are elements - specifically the latter that you mention - that do my nut in about Xmas in the UK, but if everyone (and most are tbf) were a bit more " a man's a man for aw that" in their approach at this time of year (and indeed the rest of the time as well) and just occupy themselves with spending time (not necessarily oodles of ££££) with loved ones and friends and appreciate how bloody lucky they are to be able to do so in the warmth of their own home Xmas would be a much nicer experience for all concerned.
Probably won't happen though - SPEND SPEND SPEND
I'll be waking up on Xmas morning (ideally next to the wife assuming things don't go seriously west on Xmas Eve) in the French Alps then going skiing - lovely.
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16-12-2016 06:39 PM #36This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Well, safe journeys and a really good holiday to you both.
BTW - "a man's a man for a' that" comes next month. JANUARY, not December ...
That's the fat guys in ill-fitting kilts misquoting their 'national bard' and getting legless and chucking up half-digested haggis, IIRC.
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16-12-2016 09:19 PM #37
Nothing at all wrong with whole families together for a couple of days. Eating, drinking and entertaining themselves.
I am looking forward to going to the Xmas Eve game with my oldest who doesn't get to many games. Then food with whole family up town and all heading back to the family home for a day of relaxation together on the 25th. No doubt with some board games.
Might head over with my two boys to East End Park on Boxing Day.
Yes there will be presents exchanged. But not overboard. Just a nice relaxing time together.
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17-12-2016 07:11 AM #38This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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17-12-2016 07:18 AM #39This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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17-12-2016 08:29 AM #40
On the religious debate, I discovered while researching my family tree that my great-grandparents were members of the Free Church of Scotland. They didn't (and as the United Free Church I think still don't) celebrate Christmas and Great-Granny and Great-Granpa were married on 25 December 1885. My guess is that this was so that they could have a celebration without offending the Church (put up an anniversary tree, anniversary goose for dinner etc).
As a tragic footnote their son (my Great-Uncle) was killed at Gallipoli on 25 December 1915 - their 30th wedding anniversary.
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17-12-2016 10:56 AM #41This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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18-12-2016 05:19 PM #42This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
However, these folk seem to have an entirely generous motivation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/18/muslims-donate-10-tonnes-food-charity-drive-homeless-christmas/Last edited by Hibbyradge; 18-12-2016 at 05:22 PM.
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