The dissing of commercialist Christmas and hypocritical TV shows/movies attacking the subject is an old topic-something I won’t bring up, but how about this-even though many people have reverted to “happy holidays” and other general greetings in a dull attempt to be non-secular and politically correct, we still have millions of references to Christmas, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and just about anything related to December 25th. Except Jesus. I’m not complaining or Bible thumping, just observing. I was watching “Jackie Chan Adventures” yesterday on TV and it talked about Santa’s “good chi”, and just plain easternising the concept of Christmas. No show or movie has ever been afraid to mention the “spirit of christmas” or cite the “true meaning of christmas” as love, giving, etc. But no one mentions Jesus? Why? Isn’t Christmas supposed to celebrate Jesus’ birth? If you’re going to celebrate yourself with Jesus’ birth, why not associate yourself with Jesus? Does Jesus bite?
I think that the Christmas holidays started out as Christian, but they have slowly morphed into a general celebration. Without mentioning Jesus, people are free to celebrate with other people of other cultures without fear of stepping on people’s shoes/preaching and the like.
It’s only fair, since so many Christmas traditions came from non-Christian sources anyway.
Actually, I see lots of mention of Jesus and Christ even on secular TV, and especially with respect to Christmas. In fact, we watched Jesus on the Biography channel just the other day. It was a documentary about His life.
There is no “true meaning” of Christmas. We can celebrate it any way we want, or not celebrate it at all. If Christians are so upset about the secularization of it, they shouldn’t be exchanging gifts, decorating trees, going to parties, or any of the other “worldly” stuff. Just a simple, solemn church service on Christmas morning. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly how it was observed for hundreds of years. It wasn’t a widely popular holiday until the secular aspects became common.
And maybe the reason a lot of people use “happy holidays” is because there’s more than one holilday celebrated this time of year? Isn’t it “politically correct” to be offended by that?
For me, Christ has as much to do with Christmas as Thor does with Thursday. But as Max Harvey says, there is no universally acknowledged “true meaning of Christmas.” It means different things to different people and groups, from a devout observance of the birth of Christ to happy winter solstice to nothing at all.
I don’t have a problem with that, but I could see where some Christians would. Luckily for me, they’re not the bosses of me.
I get xmas cards with a little “baby Jesus,” but it doesn’t bother me. Anymore.
Even in Henry VIII’s time, people were complaining that Christmas was too secular-- more about drinking, dancing and gifts than a solemn contemplation of the birth of the Son of God.
I think that the idea of a time when the “true meaning of Christmas” was honored is another example of nostalgia for the “good old days” that, in reality, never existed.
It doesn’t bother me at all when people send cards to me that talk about Jesus, hang out banners that proclaim Jesus is “the reason for the season”, etc. But I think a lot of people who don’t talk much about Jesus at this time of year, abstain from doing so because they don’t want to hurt the feelings of others who may not feel the same way. I try to respect everyone’s beliefs, and hope they will respect mine, and others who feel the same way try to keep it secular.
What rubs my rhubarb are the television stations who will shout “Happy Hannukah” or “Happy Kwanzaa” every other commercial break throughout December and not just on those particular nights. When Christmas finally rolls around the stations show generic “Happy Holidays” bumpers instead of wishing Merry Christmas to their viewership. I believe Standards and Practices at most television networks or the FCC have decided that “Merry Christmas” is an egregious epithet, an oath of offal never to be uttered regardless of how secular (which is a good thing) a holiday has become over the years lest they cough up fines that would make Howard Stern blush.
I want my god damned TV yule log back you pinko commie bastards.
Of course being an abrasive individual I always insist on wishing everyone Merry Christmas. “Happy Holidays” is lifeless and meaningless, a secular blessing that could be used for Labor Day or Columbus Day without really capturing anything of the season like all the lights, the terrible music and generally being nicer for a week or two once a year.
I’m going to masturbate and Baby Jesus damned well better cry.
I hate the way a perfectly good Pagan solstice holiday got hijacked by those creepy Christians. It is only fitting that it keeps on mutating into a secular holiday celebrating consumerism.
Have a plague-free Solstice, and a Widdershins New Year!
Since he’s only about 5" tall, I’m not particularly worried about Jesus. I just perch him atop Cthulhu and he seems to be happy.
But boy, if he ever got riled up, those posable arms and “gliding action” might present a problem…
(I’m speaking, of course, about “Action Figure Jesus”. I paid $6 for him, allowing me to say that not only did I FIND Jesus, I BOUGHT him!)
Who’s afraid of Jesus? We nailed him up the first he came here and we’ll kick his arse again if he comes back. Goddamn long haired hippie.
Joke! 
Well, at least all the lightweight division boxers! 
I respect everyone’s beliefs, but does that mean I can’t express my own? Also, secularization, if that’s a word, if the Christmas is alright, I’m not going to force my beliefs and interpretations of anything on anybody, but it does dilute the meaning a lot. And yes, for many people there is a true meaning of Christmas. Although it’s very temptimg, I won’t say a anything that would create a big religous debate because I don’t have the time/devotion to tend to the fires I start here in the MB seeing as I’m just a casual poster.
And the blatant commercialization of Ramadan into some sort of secual fasting-spree goes completely unchecked.
Well, what sounds more fun to you? Drinking, getting presents and eating lots of food, or a kid getting born in a stable?
Hey, I know what I’d rather think about.
and I never knew that Happy Holidays was considered a PC whitewashing of Christian sentimentality. I always just thought it was another thing to stick on greeting cards.
I dunno. Millions of US moms every week quote Mary’s statement to the young Jesus after He ran outside, leaving the door open. “Jesus! Were ya born in a barn?”
–Nott, the confuser
A college friend of mine is named Jesus - no, I am not afraid of him at all.
Not to be pedantic, but, I thought there was only one “Christmas holiday” – Christmas.