DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - re: can someone tell me what is the meaning of christmas?

**MannoFr** · 11-24-2009, 09:05 PM

what is Christmas mean to you?

for me i am a christian it's tell me that the meaning of Christmas IS gifting and also let me to remember of the day that Jesus birth. what is your answer to this? what is the meaning of Christmas to you? i think everyone will have different meaning from me. note*: NO ABUSING WORD OR SAYING SOMEONE RELIGION EVEN THE CHRISTIANITY.

If you want to know about the origin and history of Christmas, you can find them in the internet. Just key: Christmas, History, Origin and you can be linked to many websites. Like all information in the internet, we have to be careful what we read.

Celebrating Christmas is quite contraversial for Christians. The festival seems to have a pagan origin. Furthermore, now Christmas celebration is so commercialized that the only people benefits from Christmas are the shopping malls, restaurants, pubs and all entertainment outlets. Its no difference from any other festivals. Personally, I don't really celebrate Christmas because it is not necessary and it doesn't help in my spiritual life and my relationship with Christ; only our daily obedience to His commandments that really counts, all celebrations in whatever forms and under whatever names are redundant and are unnecessary.

Interestingly to note that Jesus was not born on Christmas day and His birth date is not really known to people.

For you benefits, I have obtained a write up from the internet on the History of Christmas as follows. Happy reading and God Bless.

History of Christmas

In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out.

There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.

In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer's bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment.

The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.

New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ.

In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity.
Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today's Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honored on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus.
Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers.

Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.
The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

11-24-2009, 09:05 PM	#2
MannoFr Join Date Mar 2007 Posts 4,451 Senior Member	what is Christmas mean to you? for me i am a christian it's tell me that the meaning of Christmas IS gifting and also let me to remember of the day that Jesus birth. what is your answer to this? what is the meaning of Christmas to you? i think everyone will have different meaning from me. *note: NO ABUSING WORD OR SAYING SOMEONE RELIGION EVEN THE CHRISTIANITY. If you want to know about the origin and history of Christmas, you can find them in the internet. Just key: Christmas, History, Origin and you can be linked to many websites. Like all information in the internet, we have to be careful what we read. Celebrating Christmas is quite contraversial for Christians. The festival seems to have a pagan origin. Furthermore, now Christmas celebration is so commercialized that the only people benefits from Christmas are the shopping malls, restaurants, pubs and all entertainment outlets. Its no difference from any other festivals. Personally, I don't really celebrate Christmas because it is not necessary and it doesn't help in my spiritual life and my relationship with Christ; only our daily obedience to His commandments that really counts, all celebrations in whatever forms and under whatever names are redundant and are unnecessary. Interestingly to note that Jesus was not born on Christmas day and His birth date is not really known to people. For you benefits, I have obtained a write up from the internet on the History of Christmas as follows. Happy reading and God Bless. History of Christmas** In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out. There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17th to 24th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer's bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment. The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars. New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ. In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity. Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today's Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honored on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus. Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers. Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas. The earliest English reference to December 25th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.
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