Today I saw a discussion about Christmas on Facebook. It was about “Keep Christ in Christmas”.
Rather some reactions were claiming that Christmas should not be a commercial celebration. With that I agree. Funny fact was that the “Keep Christ in Christmas”-statement was coming from a webshop where you can buy all kind of things with sayings and texts related to Christianity. Talking about being “none commercial”. But that as aside…
Of course here and there the discussion went nasty. As so often when religion is the subject. This from both sides I have to admit.
Someone said “What would be left if you take ‘Christ’ out of Christmas?”. Well, the first reaction I have is that what is left is “Yule”, the celebration where old European populace celebrated that the days were getting longer again, meaning the easier times of the year would arrive again. In the Scandinavian countries Christmas is still called Jul (which I really like). It was a celebration of happiness where the trees that stayed green during the winter were used for decoration… Ermm, wait a moment? Our Christmas Tree? Yes, our Christmas tree and other Christmas decorations have directly their origin there.
Matter of fact, there are more so-called Pagan celebrations that are “overtaken” by Christianity. Just think of Easter! Sometimes I think that was the only way Christianity could handle these Pagan celebrations. They could not abandon them, so they only way was to replace them by something that was more in line with the teaching of the Christian school.
It makes me laugh at times when I look at Christian religion and see how it is filled up with Pagan signs and traditions. The more I look at Christianity, the more I am happy I decided to step away completely from this.
Me? I just think that everybody should celebrate it in their own way. You think Christmas is a Christian Celebration? Fine with me, but allow others to have Christmas in their own way. Just a nice being together. Time to spend with family and friends. Or even the original meaning of Christmas, the getting longer of the days again…. I go for a none religious being together with those I care about. More then enough for me…. And oh yes, I am also happy that the days are getting longer again 🙂
This subject always makes me smile. As you say, almost every Christian “Holy day” is based on Pagan tradition. Not to celebrate gods. But to celebrate Nature, the change of seasons, the end of the Year. Midsummer and mid winter, a good harvest, All Hallows Eve, Carnaval and so on.
I agree, Rob. People should celebrate days as Christmas in the way they like it themselves best. People should stop forcing things on others….
And yes Patrick, right you are!