'Giftgiving' would be a great new name for the holiday...if it were only being celebrated in the United States,but for the many many people whom are getting into the secular holiday of Christmas in places like China ,
and Japan,the term,
'Giftgiving'
may be confusing.'Giftmas'
,though,
is in the right area of appropriations.
That places like Japan and China joyfully celebrate Christmas without Chirst in itself does not bother me nearly as much as people in America that do.Oh,we put up our Christmas Trees,go to parties,watch cheesy Christmas specials on Tv,but the 'Christ' is not in the Christmas for a larger and larger portion of the American public.
An example of this is a few years ago at work they posted near the timeclock the time & date of the 'X- mas' party.I-being the wiseguy that I am-scribbled above the 'X',"Keep the 'Christ' in Christmas",and went about my way thinking nothing of it.A few days later,while clocking out,a friend behind me said,"What's christ?"He said it using the small 'i' sound,like Chris only with a hard 't' at the end.Using my Lord's name,I said,"That's Christ.Like Christ our Lord." 'OOoooH,"he went.
Now,this year,in many Christmas Me-Me's,many of you are saying that you don't go to church,don't even put religion into your celebrating at all.To me,Christmas without Christ is meaningless.The presents,the parties,the giftgiving...mean nothing.I just don't see the reason for it.
But...apparently,many of you do.So,perhaps I am wrong on this.Let's call a spade a spade,"Merry Giftmas to you".
11 comments:
I believe that all the parties and spending time with people is, as Mixter put it, in the spirit of love. Love is what the spirit is for me.
By changing the note above your time clock it would make me feel as if you were pushing your feelings and thoughts about God/ religion in my face. That is one of the things that really bothers me. When people think that their ideas about the "reason for the season" is THE way. Some do not choose to have that experience. I am one of them.
I, for one, do not find it meaningless. You may not find meaning in it, but remember we are all diverse and celebrate in our own fashion.
So, based upon your argument are you saying that we should not be putting up trees and partaking of the fruits of the holiday? Because we choose to say "X-mas" and not have Nativity sets or Jesus on our holiday cards? We should not celebrate with family and friends in the spirit of love?
It's all very personal and very individual.
No,what I am saying,is that if Christ is not involved in the holiday maybe it should have another name.Call it X-mas ,giftday,etc..if you are implying,like I think you are,that love equals Christ then you are celebrating the birth of Christ,please,by all means,keep calling your celebration Christmas.
but ,if you are buddist or hindu or some other religion and are just giving gifts because you are into the Spirit of the holiday...maybe Christmas is not the term you should be using.
Or,if you prefer,let all people use it.Christmas for everyone!Christ did come to save us all.By using the term Christmas you are spreading the Christian massage on those who are not Christian.Enforcing YOUR BELIEFS onto others!
I don't believe you could be offended by the term 'Giftmas' if you are not Christian...how would the non-Christian base the offense?"How dare you be offended by my use the word 'Christmas'in my non-Christian celebration?"
That makes no sense to me.After all,the word 'Christmas' means Christ's Mass' or Christ's Festival'.Therefore without Christ it is just a 'gift festival':Giftmas.
All that I am saying that if Christmas is simply your time of sharing love,then it is a very Christ like thing,and should be called Christmas.
But if it is Love..while ignoring Christ..why call it Christmas.Why not call it Giftmas?What's the hurt or harm?Or the point?
I do not like YOU pushing YOUR beliefs onto me.Using the term Christmas without inferring Christ's message is a form of using the Lord's name in vain.That is offensive to ME!You might as well me saying Fuckin' God damn it to me.Would you spit on a Buddist?Eat meat in front of a Hindu and call it his uncle?How is this different?
I call it Christmas because that is the holiday. I don't think that everyone HAS to be celebrating and making it an event that is Christ centered. That is just incredible that you might insist upon that.Why would it even be offensive to you if you were not trying to expect that everyone think like you and be a good practicing Christian for the holiday.
Where in the Bible does it say that celebrating Christmas without practicing is using the Lords name in vain?
Are you serious? Why can't it just be about love? Why do you have to interject your belief system?
Giftmas is an okay term, but why change the national holiday? It is what it is. Christmas IS for everyone that chooses to celebrate it. However they may choose.
I'm not pushing any beliefs your way, just saying that by changing the note at your job some may see that as an offensive push of Christianity. I do. As much as I dislike missionaries that knock on my door or approach in public places etc. or leave their handbills on my table. That to me is pushing.
because I choose to have a Christmas celebration and not go to church should not matter to anyone. It is my choice.
'I don't think that everyone HAS to be celebrating and making it an event that is Christ centered. That is just incredible that you might insist upon that'
I guess that is why I am saying why call it 'CHRIST" mas?If you don't choose on making it a Christ event...why the anger against changing the name?
It is a Christian celebration!it is more than St.Patrick's Day or Cinco De Mayo.It is the holy month and fest of the birth of our Lord.
If,as you say,it has become more than that....that it is a 'National Holiday',than all the more reason to call it Giftmas or some other non-religious title.Seperation of Church and state,you know.
But,we may as well leave it at Christmas.I love the holiday...church and all.Give me the tree and presents.The parties and all of the joy.
To me,'Christmas' will always mean 'Chirstmas'.I hope that it will always mean the same to you,also.
Why change it? It is what it is and if people choose to make it a religious event, so be it. I just do not see why it has to be a religious holiday for everyone.
To me it means a time of family, friends and joy to all and to all a good night. I do not have to go to a building of religious meaning for it to have meaning. All the meaning is implied.
To say it is a Christian celebration narrows its scope. It is a day that everyone can celebrate whether christian or not if they choose.
To me you are acting like a closet Christian.It is a religious event.Nah nah Nah nah NAH.You are a Christian.YOU are a closet Christian.For all your belly aching,you are fighting for Christ.I can't argue with that.
Christmas is a federal holiday, recognized by the United States government. Since we supposedly have separation of church and state, it is not necessary -- in this country, anyway -- to associate it with the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you agree with that is your opinion, which you are entitled to.
Personally, I celebrate Christmas as a matter of family and cultural tradition, regardless of my faith or lack thereof. However, I do usually put up a nativity scene because I do understand the origin of the holiday. To me, it's a good reason to celebrate LOVE, which is the reason Christ was born (whether or not I actually believe this to be true, or if I think that it is a happy myth propagated by humans).
Whatever the reason, or whatever you want to call it, I don't have a problem with any of it. I think it's a good thing, and I plan to celebrate every year.
Mixter
Ugh!For two people who don't profess to believing in Christ you sure put up a fuss about keeping his name in Christmas.
You'd think I riled up your hair with my hands or something...Geez
did you sell your sense of humour for rent money or do you always take such non-issues soo seriously?
course,I love ya when you're mad
You mistake, it has nothing to do with the name. Don't you see, for us it is the holiday/tradition. If that is what it is called then so be it. I will write X-mas just because it is faster, the wording does not make the holiday. It is the general feeling and tradition of family.
I take most issues seriously, especially, in case you didn't notice, the ones where religion is pushed down peoples throats and in their faces.
Even Thomas Jefferson said it should be a personal issue, not public.
You push jefferson,I push Jesus.What's the diffrence?
I've been saying 'commercial Christmas' so people know my holiday has nil to do with the Christian Jesus.. but Giftmas is catchier and shorter. Giftmas it is. But my neighbors will see you in church on Christmas.
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