If we want to celebrate the birth of Christ, why not pick a new date and new name?

[GardenofWeeden]

The very name Christmas comes from Catholicism (Christ's Mass). There are many people who eschew all things Catholic but seem to have no problem celebrating Christ's Mass. The date December 25 is the day of the winter solstice according to the Julian calendar used by the Romans. It was the day of the sun's rebirth.

So we see, December 25 has both Catholic and pagan origins. Many will argue that they are okay celebrating Christ's Mass because they simply ignore the Catholic and pagan elements and remember the birth of our Lord. But how does one ignore the Catholic and pagan elements when the very date and name reflect them?

I would suggest if Christians can't help themselves from observing our Lord's birthday, a new date and name should be chosen that doesn't reflect Catholicism and paganism; something that is separate and distinct from the world.

I don't know about God, but I would be happy knowing people, who love me, celebrate my birth and life, regardless of when they do it or why they chose that date. But eh, that's just me, and you are free to celebrate in any way at any time you choose...Or not.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I haven't told anyone they should or shouldn't do anything, I've merely offered an alternative. I do find it telling though that when you suggest an alternative to a sacred cow tradition, even with good reason, people freak out and dig in their heels.

 

[persistent]

C.S. Lewis take on Christmas.
To separate his feelings about the spiritual side and the commercial side of the season, in 1954, Lewis wrote an essay called “Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus,” in which he created a fictional land called Niatirb (Britain spelled backwards) that celebrates two festivals. Exmas is a festival of excesses, with participants frantically exchanging cards and gifts, often reluctantly. The other, Crissmas is a much simpler, quieter celebration centered on the birth of a child.


“I send no cards and give no presents except to children.” — C.S. Lewis in personal correspondence
He disputed the belief that the two festivals are the same simply because they are celebrated on the same day. “The pictures which are stamped on the Exmas-cards have nothing to do with the sacred story which the priests tell about Crissmas,” he wrote.

 

[hornetguy]

I haven't told anyone they should or shouldn't do anything, I've merely offered an alternative. I do find it telling though that when you suggest an alternative to a sacred cow tradition, even with good reason, people freak out and dig in their heels.

Hey brother, the suggestion was valid, and it didn't cause me to freak out at all.... I just find it un-necessary... and we sort of disagree on the "reasons" for celebrating Christmas. I try not to find issues where there is no need.
Celebrating Christmas is a lot of things... it is certainly over-commercialized, and it is enjoyed by many, believing somehow it is the actual birthday of Jesus, but for most Christians, I think it is a time to enjoy family, friends, and remember the miraculous birth of our Savior..... and the fact that somewhere in the ancient past, pagans had a celebration on or around the same time doesn't even register with them.... because that is not why THEY are celebrating it.

 

[oyster67]

And we throw in some "religious" content to make it palatable (pa rump a pum pum), and televise maudlin Hallmark horrors about.

As for me and my house (my cat), we love Christmas and refuse to "rump a dump dump" on it.

 

[kaylagrl]

We can compromise by making tall people move to the southern hemisphere and short people can move to the northern hemisphere.

My hubby isn't gonna like that...

 

[kaylagrl]

Did his heart grow 3 sizes one day?

Not yet...

 

[Cameron143]

My hubby isn't gonna like that...

Does this mean we have to break his legs or buy him platform shoes?

 

[Cameron143]

Not yet...

Perhaps that's what the 39 and a half foot pole is all about.

 

[oyster67]

Then you’re asking the people in the southern hemisphere to celebrate on their shortest days

I am eagerly awaiting my glorious tall days when my short little legs shall be redeemed at last.

 

[kaylagrl]

Does this mean we have to break his legs or buy him platform shoes?

Break legs...

 

[kaylagrl]

Perhaps that's what the 39 and a half foot pole is all about.

Perhaps, or maybe he just needs to love all his brothers and sisters in Christ before his heart grows.

 

[Cameron143]

Break legs...

My apologies. I meant apply for a leg shortening procedure.

 

[Cameron143]

Does this mean we have to break his legs or buy him platform shoes?

I backslid momentarily. I've since repented. No need getting on the naughty list this late in the year.

 

[Snacks]

I am eagerly awaiting my glorious tall days when my short little legs shall be redeemed at last.

I want my hair to be redeemed 👨‍🦲

 

[BillG]

We can compromise by making tall people move to the southern hemisphere and short people can move to the northern hemisphere.

This 5 foot 7 and a half inch short man (never forget the half inch, it's very important to me) already lives in the northern hemisphere.

I wish I was taller.

I am going to ask Santa for Christmas to give me longer legs and then I can move to the southern hemisphere😎

Merry Mithras everyone (you may need to research this, pagan worship days nicked by Christians)

@XavierJesusLovesIndia

You seen to have a good knowledge concerning Christmas.

I have a great article in my library concerning Mithra but I cannot upload it here, or if I can don't know how to do it.

Do you have anything on this that you can post?

 

[oyster67]

I want my hair to be redeemed 👨‍🦲

me2

 

[Cameron143]

I'm sorry, but I refuse to give credence to surprised emojis from Oyster67. This from the guy who led the great surprised emoji insurrection of 2022 and singlehandedly doubled my surprised emoji total overnight.
Oyster67 I warned you that your emojis face would get stuck. And should there be a surprised emoji shortage in 2023 and you find yourself in desperate need of one, you have no one to blame but yourself.

 

[oyster67]

I wish I was taller.

I am going to ask Santa for Christmas to give me longer legs and then I can move to the southern hemisphere😎

Be careful what you wish for...
Your head may come too close to the sun.

 

[Magenta]

So now I don't get how much of a 'celebratory' sense Jesus birthday should have. The people from the East brought gifts. Different topic but still posting it here as these threads often morph and these things I never thought about too much. And this thread got me thinking about this. What about the locals? Did the shepherds bring any lamb chops or wool blankets? I don't recall reading of any other gifts. And maybe the gifts that were brought signify something. The gold for the trip to Egypt but the others for what reason?

Matthew 2:11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

The gifts are said to have value relating to the Personage of Jesus. This page (<= link ) gives reasons why, with Scripture support, though also makes categorical errors, such as saying there were three wise men, when Scripture does not identify how many magi attended.