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 Christmas, A Celebration of the Christ Child, Get Real
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The only thing I like about this time of the year and the holiday of Christmas is that in my perverse outlook is that it points out in a glaring statement the hypocritical nature of Christianity. Forget the obvious date discrepancies. Here is a holiday that is promoted as a time for giving, in honor of the birth of a child that gives the world the greatest gift of all.

Even among my Christian friends the disconnect between this meaning and what it has become is something to be lamented. Yet, they can not bring themselves to make the break that would disassociate this holiday from their religion.

I must say that I see that as one of many ways that the memory of this revolutionary thinker has been perverted. I say revolutionary with the utmost respect. If you take the teachings of Christ and place them in context of the historical times, you don't get the basis of a religion but a revolution. It wasn't viewed by his followers as soon enough or direct enough and they deserted and betrayed him. The religion did not follow until many years later.

I'll cite only one scenario, among many, that might illustrate the disdain that this man might exhibit in regards to our celebration of his birth. The story is told, that upon entering the temple and seeing the vendors selling their wares, Christ pulled out what can only be described as a "can of whup ass". How do you think he might react today upon entering a mall?

I have a proposal, a revolutionary way to celebrate Christmas and "the Christ spirit". I believe that if a major department store came forward and stated that in lieu of decorations and advertising was going to donate that money to charity. That all discounts were going to handled the same, that the PR and the spirit spread among its customers would exceed any Christmas before, even on the bottom line.

So I offer this idea free of charge in the Christmas spirit to anyone in retail who has the courage to be a revolutionary.
Posted by wingfire at 5:26 PM - 21 Comments   Add a Comment  
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Comments:

I share your sentiments Wingfire, I'm continually amazed at how perverted this whole idea of christmas has become. I have nothing against holidays or gift-giving, in fact I approve of both in general, but the crass commercialism is a bit hard to swallow and the stretching it out for 5, 6, 7 weeks makes me gag.

I used to laugh at hearing parents lament the fact that their kids seemed to miss the real spirit of the holiday and were only interested in what they were getting, apparently not being able to see that they had made them that way but now I feel more like puking.

And then there's the whole "war on christmas" b.s. that we have to listen to every year; enough I say! How about we all agree to make it a private family holiday to be celebrated (or not) in small groups, quietly.
 
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by notacynic (PM , CC ) on Wednesday December 13, 2006 @ 11:03 PM




there is nothing Christ like about Christmas...so I just sit it out...giving a gift can come any time...the whole thing sucks..Cracker  
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by cracker (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 12:17 AM




cracker

a much more concise statement of my position

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 3:38 PM




notacynic

I'm going to with Bob Seeger when states, "I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then"

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 4:00 PM




Gosh, it's just like "Miracle on 34th Street"! I'm gettin' a little teary here!

LOVE your suggestion. If only..... I still can't get over the people who stand in line for days for an electronic device and then get into a shoving match over it.

The origins of the Christmas traditions are so interesting, too - - so very unrelated to the Christian faith, ultimately.

Great post!
 
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by The Valkyrie (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 5:31 PM




This whole Christmas thing has gotten out of hand, for many people its the most stressful time of the year.

I think your idea is a great one, but I have little faith that it will be done any time in the near future.
 
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by Gina2 (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 6:04 PM




Great Post!  
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by Randy420 (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 6:07 PM




Isn't Christmas just like anything else in life? Isn't it what you make it? I love Christmas, and everything it means but i don't do the shopping thing and our giving is all year around really. Our only christmas present to anyone who can make it on Christmas day is a BBQ party for lunch. I guess it's easier for us now that the kidlets have grown, but even so not a lot has changed.

I'm not saying we have it right, but i do think the 'season to be jolly' is just that by personal choice. It's one of two days that mean the most to me, the other being Easter. I don't really mind what others do to celebrate the season, but i really mind what i choose but being a tad flexible helps This is a very thought provoking post and i thank you for puting it out here. Cheers...
 
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by Rosie (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 14, 2006 @ 6:20 PM




Valkyrie

I would go far as to state that Christmas would be a more interesting if religion was not a part of it. It's interesting the subtle changes in marketing to the American consumer. A decade ago it was the best. be unique, stand out now it is the number one seller, everyone has it.

though I have to say that even at three feet, Natalie Wood had the eyes that woud make me say,"anything you say".

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Saturday December 16, 2006 @ 3:16 PM




Gina2

you're right and I suspect that nothing will change, the synergy of the exchange of that much money takes on a life of its own.

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Saturday December 16, 2006 @ 3:23 PM




Rosie

this outlook would mean more to me if the stated goal was act upon this spirit everyday not just special ones.

and it might help those lost souls like me if everyone got together and wrote a rule that only the introverted were allowed to get the "Christmas spirit".
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Saturday December 16, 2006 @ 3:33 PM




Happy Solstice
... though the winter days to come seem dark & cold, remember that from here on it all just keeps getting brighter ...


 
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by Gina2 (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 21, 2006 @ 7:12 PM




Hosted by LiveDigital.com!Click here to comment!


 
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by Misty (PM , CC ) on Sunday December 24, 2006 @ 2:09 AM




FROM MY WORLD TO YOUR MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Love Ya
 
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by YUNA (PM , CC ) on Monday December 25, 2006 @ 8:25 AM




Gina2

thank you for the soltice wishes, peoples from around the world have found the advantages of using the lunar calender. I have found through personal experience, that if one wishes to use all of the energies available that sycronizing my energy with the cycles of Mother Earth and Grandmother leads to an interesting and useful perspective.

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Tuesday December 26, 2006 @ 4:12 PM




YUNA

thank you for the wishes. I hope you experienced what ever you sought.

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Tuesday December 26, 2006 @ 4:15 PM




Thank you Wingfire although I find myself lost within myself most of the time. It is people like you who gives me the strength and courage to go on. Wishing you love,peace and happiness for the New Year and hopefully another year with your friendship.
Love Ya
 
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by YUNA (PM , CC ) on Wednesday December 27, 2006 @ 11:17 PM




MAY YOU HAVE A MAGICAL NEW YEAR IN 2007

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LOVE YA YUNA
 
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by YUNA (PM , CC ) on Sunday December 31, 2006 @ 2:01 PM




HAPPY NEW YEAR MAY 2007 BE ALL YOU WISH FOR
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Love Ya Misty
 
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by Misty (PM , CC ) on Sunday December 31, 2006 @ 6:45 PM




Sometimes love, the real reason for celebrating Christ's birth, seeps into the holiday scenario...depending on obscure individual actions.
I know of an elderly Mom who gave her son a small pocket=sized notebook because she knew he used them to make quick lists of things he wanted to remember to do for others.
Come to find out, he was deeply moved by her gift.
 
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by Curious (PM , CC ) on Tuesday January 2, 2007 @ 5:51 PM




Curious

It bothers me that people need an outside influence, such as the birth of the "Christ Child", to do the kind and generous thing.

I agree that despite what seems to be our best attempts that a spirit that represents the best of most of us does appear. I just do not see a correlation between the two.

wingfire
 
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by wingfire (PM , CC ) on Wednesday January 3, 2007 @ 4:16 PM


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
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