Support wanted !! Anyone else here who doesn't like Christmas ?? - Page 2

Garnet FalconDance · 12-05-2001, 08:28 AM

I feel so.......Loved now!!!

Thank you [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hmmm.....now what could I give in return...?

Fljotsdale · 12-05-2001, 08:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Pangur Ban:
After reading some of the Christmas threads here in IW I'm starting to feel somewhat out on a limb ...

Is there anyone else here who does NOT enjoy Christmas ?
I'm not alone, am I?

I participate in all the celebrations, sincerely wish all the best for all my friends and relatives, ( hey, I wish the best for them every day of the year .. ) and join in the gift giving/receiving thing, but I don't feel any sort of special "magic" = Christmas Spirit that others seem to have. For the last 15 years or so I have felt that the festive season is something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

I'm not into christmas either! Its just one big commercial break and I can happily do without it on that basis alone. The fact that it has been hijacked prom paganism as a 'christian' festival of Jesus birth also annoys me! I wouldn't mind it nearly as much if we just had a 'winter feast' to brighten the dark winter days, and if the commercial aspect was absent - or at least much diminished; I suppose it is too much to hope for the elimination of commercialism!

Epona · 12-05-2001, 08:44 AM

Well I was looking forward to Xmas, but recent changes in my circumstances have made me rethink, I know I will alone while others are celebrating.

12-05-2001, 08:44 AM

You know, christmas doesnt have to be about religion, commercialism or any other "ism" its all about attitude, if you have a crappy attitude then your time will suck. So suck it up and adjust the attitude and not bash the celebration....this post is NOT aimed at any other poster here..its a general comment on negativeism and poor attitudes. Life is as you choose to preceive it, if you see doom and gloom, thats all you will ever have.

My 2.5 cents.

Fljotsdale · 12-05-2001, 08:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:
I agree---case in point.

Well, I suggested what I thought would be great fun, a handmade 'coupon' fo reach person good for one 'XXX' redeemable before Christmas 2002. You know, everyone has some kind of talent or craft or something. After much e-mailing back and forth, I finally almost got the point across that the coupon could be as 'little' as "You will have the pleasure of my company for a day" or "One free session when you can rant and rave at me when you're pissed off so you won't kill the boss (or kids)" or as 'large' as a gift basket handmade by the coupon presenter for personal or gift-giving purposes (that's more my area, both of my sisters are time- and craft-impaired [img]smile.gif[/img] ). All I wanted was for someone to teach me how to french braid! [img]smile.gif[/img]

BTW, (no flaming or otherwise pyrotechnic exhibition now!) I happen to like the 'paganistic muddled confusion'---it keeps a smile on my face when my local oh-so-self-righteous Christians go on their annual pagan-bashing spree trying to *prove* that the first Christmas celebration and all its subsequent paraphenalia (tree, gifts, Santa, etc) was 2000 years ago in some manger and that's how it *all* got started (did the donkey brings the pretty blinky lights or was that one of the wise men? [img]smile.gif[/img] )

I think the idea for christmas gift 'coupons' is great!

About you paragraph on the origin of christmas... you are right! ALL that christmas paraphenalia you mention is purely pagan in origin. It comes from the Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Natalis Solis Invicti, which were held at that time of year. Christianity 'adopted' the date of the shortest day (later calendar changes altered date of shortest day) and the pagan trappings to keep the newely *converted* pagans loyal to their new faith.
The bible indicates that Jesus was most likely born in September!

12-05-2001, 08:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Fljotsdale:

I'm not into christmas either! Its just one big commercial break and I can happily do without it on that basis alone. The fact that it has been hijacked prom paganism as a 'christian' festival of Jesus birth also annoys me! I wouldn't mind it nearly as much if we just had a 'winter feast' to brighten the dark winter days, and if the commercial aspect was absent - or at least much diminished; I suppose it is too much to hope for the elimination of commercialism!

Rather than let it annoy you why not celebrate the fact that an ancien and basicly lost holiday is carried forward in some manner even if 99.9999999999% of the people don't know the origins? Why let the fact that someone or some group has adopted a tradition irk you...especially when its true intent (outside the commercialism) is to bring cheer and good will to all? Why focus on the NEGATIVES??? don't be a gloomy guss...lets spin this aroound and find the good.

12-05-2001, 08:56 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Epona:
Well I was looking forward to Xmas, but recent changes in my circumstances have made me rethink, I know I will alone while others are celebrating.

Epona, you are not really alone, any more than anyone else here who has friends on this forum. Wether we agree with your politcs or activism or anyother thing..we still care about you and you have us in spirit...it is a small thing but some times you need to count the small blessings..I cannot be with my children but I know they have me in spirit, just as I have all of you here...(well some of you at least). Take heart and don't loose too much of your self to grief....easy to say yes...but necessary.

12-05-2001, 09:00 AM

Rah Rah SIS Boom BAh! Lets hear it for CHRISTMAS!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img] or at least for the "Christmas Spirit" which is the intent and not the commercialism. If education in the world were worth a hoot everyone would know about the origins of the christmas tree...but wait..I was educated in the US Public school system (except for 3 years in the Catholic School system) and I still have a general idea of where that tree came from...imagine that......

Garnet FalconDance · 12-05-2001, 09:07 AM

::Garnet stomps her foot in frustration

But what I want to know is WHO brought the first blinky lights to the manger?!?!

Sazerac · 12-05-2001, 10:35 AM

ROFL!!! Good comments, guys!

Well, I for one detest the commercialism of the season as well, and I absolutely refuse to set foot near one of those "temples of commercialism" (you call 'em "malls"; I call them "mauls"

) during the season. However, that doesn't dampen my spirit for the true nature of the season. As MagiK says, it's best not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but istead concentrate on the good that's out there. I personally LOVE all the lights and being around my friends and family during the season, but I can understand how that wouldn't melt other's butter as well. I guess it's all how you perceive it.

Cheers,

12-05-2001, 08:28 AM	#11
Garnet FalconDance Mephistopheles Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: deep within the sylvan splendor.... Age: 60 Posts: 1,443	I feel so.......Loved now!!! Thank you [img]smile.gif[/img] Hmmm.....now what could I give in return...? __________________ "Nature tells every secret once." Ralph Waldo Emerson

12-05-2001, 08:33 AM	#12
Fljotsdale Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: March 12, 2001 Location: Birmingham, West Mid\'s, England Age: 87 Posts: 2,859	quote: Originally posted by Pangur Ban: After reading some of the Christmas threads here in IW I'm starting to feel somewhat out on a limb ... Is there anyone else here who does NOT enjoy Christmas ? I'm not alone, am I? I participate in all the celebrations, sincerely wish all the best for all my friends and relatives, ( hey, I wish the best for them every day of the year .. ) and join in the gift giving/receiving thing, but I don't feel any sort of special "magic" = Christmas Spirit that others seem to have. For the last 15 years or so I have felt that the festive season is something to be endured rather than enjoyed. I'm not into christmas either! Its just one big commercial break and I can happily do without it on that basis alone. The fact that it has been hijacked prom paganism as a 'christian' festival of Jesus birth also annoys me! I wouldn't mind it nearly as much if we just had a 'winter feast' to brighten the dark winter days, and if the commercial aspect was absent - or at least much diminished; I suppose it is too much to hope for the elimination of commercialism! __________________ I\'m your imaginary friend.

12-05-2001, 08:44 AM	#13
Epona Zartan Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: London, England Age: 53 Posts: 5,164	Well I was looking forward to Xmas, but recent changes in my circumstances have made me rethink, I know I will alone while others are celebrating. __________________ [img]\"http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/epona.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-05-2001, 08:47 AM	#15
Fljotsdale Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: March 12, 2001 Location: Birmingham, West Mid\'s, England Age: 87 Posts: 2,859	quote: Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance: I agree---case in point. Well, I suggested what I thought would be great fun, a handmade 'coupon' fo reach person good for one 'XXX' redeemable before Christmas 2002. You know, everyone has some kind of talent or craft or something. After much e-mailing back and forth, I finally almost got the point across that the coupon could be as 'little' as "You will have the pleasure of my company for a day" or "One free session when you can rant and rave at me when you're pissed off so you won't kill the boss (or kids)" or as 'large' as a gift basket handmade by the coupon presenter for personal or gift-giving purposes (that's more my area, both of my sisters are time- and craft-impaired [img]smile.gif[/img] ). All I wanted was for someone to teach me how to french braid! [img]smile.gif[/img] BTW, (no flaming or otherwise pyrotechnic exhibition now!) I happen to like the 'paganistic muddled confusion'---it keeps a smile on my face when my local oh-so-self-righteous Christians go on their annual pagan-bashing spree trying to prove that the first Christmas celebration and all its subsequent paraphenalia (tree, gifts, Santa, etc) was 2000 years ago in some manger and that's how it all got started (did the donkey brings the pretty blinky lights or was that one of the wise men? [img]smile.gif[/img] ) I think the idea for christmas gift 'coupons' is great! About you paragraph on the origin of christmas... you are right! ALL that christmas paraphenalia you mention is purely pagan in origin. It comes from the Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Natalis Solis Invicti, which were held at that time of year. Christianity 'adopted' the date of the shortest day (later calendar changes altered date of shortest day) and the pagan trappings to keep the newely converted pagans loyal to their new faith. The bible indicates that Jesus was most likely born in September! __________________ I\'m your imaginary friend.

12-05-2001, 08:53 AM	#16
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	quote: Originally posted by Fljotsdale: I'm not into christmas either! Its just one big commercial break and I can happily do without it on that basis alone. The fact that it has been hijacked prom paganism as a 'christian' festival of Jesus birth also annoys me! I wouldn't mind it nearly as much if we just had a 'winter feast' to brighten the dark winter days, and if the commercial aspect was absent - or at least much diminished; I suppose it is too much to hope for the elimination of commercialism! Rather than let it annoy you why not celebrate the fact that an ancien and basicly lost holiday is carried forward in some manner even if 99.9999999999% of the people don't know the origins? Why let the fact that someone or some group has adopted a tradition irk you...especially when its true intent (outside the commercialism) is to bring cheer and good will to all? Why focus on the NEGATIVES??? don't be a gloomy guss...lets spin this aroound and find the good.

12-05-2001, 08:56 AM	#17
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	quote: Originally posted by Epona: Well I was looking forward to Xmas, but recent changes in my circumstances have made me rethink, I know I will alone while others are celebrating. Epona, you are not really alone, any more than anyone else here who has friends on this forum. Wether we agree with your politcs or activism or anyother thing..we still care about you and you have us in spirit...it is a small thing but some times you need to count the small blessings..I cannot be with my children but I know they have me in spirit, just as I have all of you here...(well some of you at least). Take heart and don't loose too much of your self to grief....easy to say yes...but necessary.

12-05-2001, 09:00 AM	#18
MagiK Guest Posts: n/a	Rah Rah SIS Boom BAh! Lets hear it for CHRISTMAS!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img] or at least for the "Christmas Spirit" which is the intent and not the commercialism. If education in the world were worth a hoot everyone would know about the origins of the christmas tree...but wait..I was educated in the US Public school system (except for 3 years in the Catholic School system) and I still have a general idea of where that tree came from...imagine that......

12-05-2001, 09:07 AM	#19
Garnet FalconDance Mephistopheles Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: deep within the sylvan splendor.... Age: 60 Posts: 1,443	::Garnet stomps her foot in frustration But what I want to know is WHO brought the first blinky lights to the manger?!?! __________________ "Nature tells every secret once." Ralph Waldo Emerson

12-05-2001, 10:35 AM	#20
Sazerac Ironworks Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Monroe, LA Age: 60 Posts: 7,387	ROFL!!! Good comments, guys! Well, I for one detest the commercialism of the season as well, and I absolutely refuse to set foot near one of those "temples of commercialism" (you call 'em "malls"; I call them "mauls" ) during the season. However, that doesn't dampen my spirit for the true nature of the season. As MagiK says, it's best not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but istead concentrate on the good that's out there. I personally LOVE all the lights and being around my friends and family during the season, but I can understand how that wouldn't melt other's butter as well. I guess it's all how you perceive it. Cheers, __________________ "And all my days are trances, and all my nightly dreams, Are where thy grey eye glances, and where thy footstep gleams, In what ethereal dances, by what eternal streams..."

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