Christian Support Group :) discussion

Over the years, the Birth of Jesus has been pushed away and filled in with Santa or other fun things. What do you think about this? Should we see more Nativity scenes in the stores?
Here is a good song about this: http://www.youtube.com/user/beckykell...
This song is called "Where's the line to see Jesus"

Pretty song.
I definitely think it's become over commercialized. I think Santa and stuff is ok as long as it doesn't overshadow the real thing.
When I was a kid I didn't believe in Santa (at least that I remember), and it didn't hurt me any. I knew him as a fun part of Christmas, but Jesus was what it was all about.
Also I think it's a little cruel to lie to kids like that, b/c one day they're going to find out Mommy and Daddy lied.
Just my opinion...

Kristen wrote: "Pretty song.
I definitely think it's become over commercialized. I think Santa and stuff is ok as long as it doesn't overshadow the real thing.
When I was a kid I didn't believe in Santa (at least..."

I agree, but when the kids are ready to stop believing in Santa Claus, I figure they are ready to accept that there is no jolly man dressed in red. And when the parents raise the kid up like that, it makes Christmas very special for them. The only problem is that today, people don't teach there kids about the nativity like it's the truth.

Christmas was always special for me. I didn't need Santa for that.

Not that I'm arguing w/you and saying it's just wrong for kids to believe in Santa. Just not really necessary.

ya, but it gives it a little kick, and hope.

I agree that it's not necessary

Little kids believe in Santa, but they eventually find out it's not true. C'mon, parents tell them. I remember when my mom broke it down to me and my brother...I didn't really care, but my brother, on the other hand, had a fit. Christmas is a great day, and I think it's my favorite holiday.

Has anyone seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR...

It's pretty awesome. How come nothing cool like that ever happens in my mall?

ya, I seen something different but this is cool.

Christmas is a wonderful holiday. I especially like it because you don't have to be Christian to enjoy it, unlike any other religious holiday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Remember, its not the amount of 'gifts' under the tree that matter, but the Gift given so long ago, who would eventually hang on a 'tree' for all mankind.

Merry christmas!

Shawn wrote: "MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Remember, its not the amount of 'gifts' under the tree that matter, but the Gift given so long ago, who would eventually hang on a 'tree' for all mankind."

We need a 'Like' button, like Facebook has :)
Merry Christmas, everyone!

THEY HUNG HIM ON A CROSS FOR ME

.....well, I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

yeah. same here. Merry (late) Christmas, everyone!!!

yep

And a happy new year!

Happy New Year
And the other year starts......

HAPPY LATE EVERYTHING, EVERYONE!!! :D

I've added two new folders, so I was just going through topics to organize them. Never saw this until now!

The thing I don't like about Christmas is actually how the world views Christ. Commercialism comes with every holiday - why should Christmas be any different? The problem is that everyone is like, "A star! Three kings! A cute little baby!" And everyone becomes "Christian" and suddenly cares just for the month of December. They forget the significance of Jesus' birth - He came to redeem us!

And then we spend money on gifts and a tree and say it's celebrating the night that the spotless lamb was born to us?

Actually, our family celebrates Christmas in the same traditional way as most of America. But we don't view it as a holy holiday, since it's not mentioned in the Bible. (Obviously Christ's birth is mentioned in the Bible, but not the way we celebrate it.)

Sandy wrote: "since it's not mentioned in the Bible. (Obviously Christ's birth is mentioned in the Bible, but not the way we celebrate it.) "

True, it's not a worldwide event in the Bible, but that's because no one knew what to look for except Mary, Joseph, their families, and the wise men - who were the scholars of the day.
It's true, the date December 25 is probably not the actual day, either (although it might be), but things are still symbolic about the way we celebrate, though. It's not completely commercialized.
Well, I guess it is now - but it doesn't have to be.
The tree is symbolic of the cross.
We give gifts the way the wise men did - of course they gave those to Jesus, however Jesus was the gift to the world...
Alot of people have a nativity.
I know there's alot more symbolism in alot of the other things too, I just forget about them at the moment.
But, yes it's easy for Christmas to become all about things and family time, etc. But It's also possible to keep the focus where it is supposed to be.

The wreath represents the crown of thorns!

Connor wrote: "The wreath represents the crown of thorns!"

I thought the wreath was something. Couldn't remember what though.

So we decorate one with lights and say it's in honor of Christ? The crown of thorns represents Christ's ultimate suffering - for us. How can we hang a festive Christmas decoration on the door and say it's religious?

Okay, I'm not trying to sound mean here. It just seems like when we celebrate Christmas, we're not really thinking about "the first Christmas."

Sandy wrote: "So we decorate one with lights and say it's in honor of Christ? The crown of thorns represents..."

Granted they didn't have the electric lights when the tradition of Christmas trees and wreaths got started. And no, it's not an actual cross or crown of thorns that we put up at Christmas.
It's symbolic. It looks nice, and if we have the right thoughts, it reminds us of what Christ did for us.
But, yes it's very easy to let something like that become commercialized.

Many people wear crosses around their necks. Alot of them have flowers or jewels on them. It's not disrespectful, it just makes it look nicer.
If the goal was to be historically accurate, we'd have blood on them. But that's a bit gross and probably wouldn't be real popular ;)

Lots of interesting tid bits here:
http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmassymb.htm

yh it's cool and it sorts out all the 'xmas' discussion!

Chiara ♪*CheesecakeLover*♪ wrote: "yh it's cool and it sorts out all the 'xmas' discussion!"

Yeah, I thought that was interesting too. I always thought 'xmas' was just taking Christ out of Christmas.

I still don't really like it, though. We don't speak Greek. Maybe if you added the rest of the name to it...

Well- it's a shortened version. And it doesn't take Christ out...and what language does 'Christ' come from anyway?

I know, it's shortened, but alot of people don't realize that. I didn't and I've been in church since I was born, pretty much.
'Christ' is the English translation from the Greek.

Oh ok then- and you're right that people don't realise that it's shortened..