I smile and enjoy. Got a very nice one from a Doper yesterday. Thanks.
And mention of St. Valentine is implicit in Valentines Day, and mention of an Anglo-Saxon goddess is implicit in Easter. The meaning of any holiday is determined more by the intentions of the people celebrating it than it is by etymology.
Your points are well taken. I’m learning a lot in this thread.
I love getting and giving Christmas cards. I feel that the ones I receive are from people that wish me to have a happy holiday, and I try to send out cards that are artistic or humorous in a non-offending way to people that I like.
I guess I’m technically semi-Christian. Kinda-sorta. Eh…iffy. Meh.
It doesn’t offend me. I’m glad that the person thought of me.
I dislike xmas from both a christian and secular standpoint. Cards get opened then chucked in the bin. Anybody who knows me well enough that they may consider giving me a present also knows me well enough that it wouldn’t be appreciated.
gex gex: The Swedish one doesn’t really say anything specifically about Jesus or God. Loose translation is “Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.” It’s more like “Good Yule & Good New Year,” IIRC.
When I was 18, I spent a month is Sweden, at Christmastime. I never did learn to speak the language, but I picked up a couple of things. I’m surprised I remember them at all…