[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jblum315

Just to keep it real: Jesus (religious or historical) was almost certainly not born on Christmas Day nor even in December.
Taxes were collected in July so that is when Joseph would have taken his pregnant wife to Bethlehem where she gave birth.
The Christmas holiday is based on the ancient pagan celebration of the days getting longer after the winter solstice on Dec. 21. Thus the Yule log and trees decorated festively etc. I do not know when or why that festival got conflated with the birth of Jesus
The Pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas, workers did not even get a day off.
So you can say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas or thank you or Bah Humbug but please don't tell me to have a nice day

JEANNE....I want you to have a nice day, a wonderful day, a fulfilling day, a day filled with peace and joy. Today, tomorrow and every day, because I just love you.

Wanna fight?

[graciegirl]

This thread has made me sad. I love Christmas.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

This thread has made me sad. I love Christmas.

I heard a Christmas carol on the radio yesterday. Although it is still early for Christmas music, it picked up my spirits and brought on a smile. We are getting close to my favorite time of the year.

Merry Christmas, Gracie!

[charlie49]

When people say,"Merry Christmas" they are conveying good wishes. Some just do not realize that not all are Christians, or for that matter, hold any type of religious beliefs at all. "Happy Holidays" is much better in respecting that not all people are the same.

The Mesopotamians celebrated the winter solstice 4,000 years ago and this celebration may date back as far cave dwellers. It is an astronomical event that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Many religions attached their stories to this long standing celebration. Christmas varies from the solstice by a few days. This occurred when juluis Ceasar revised the calendar to make it more astronomically accurate. Early calendars needed many revisions before the actual length of an astronomical year was known.

Miracle birth claims are part of almost all relgions, Christians are far from being special in this regard. Just Google 'religions with virgin births' to see a long list.

The signs that state,"Put Christ back in Xmas" would be more historically correct to say,"Put the Stars Back in the Solstice." A good sign might be, "Take the Dollar Out of the Holidays."

Happy Holidays to all.

[Halibut]

never mind

[manaboutown]

I always attempt to utilize an appropriate greeting for the celebration underway. When I attend the Testicle Festival in Clinton (don'tcha love the name of the town?), MT I greet people with "Have a ball!" Testicle Festival - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And yes, I have the T-shirt to show I was there.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

This thread has made me sad. I love Christmas.

I love Christmas too! It's not a subject that should be argued about. Being with people you know at this time of year is always a guarantee that the good feelings will stay and our greetings will be accepted.
Unfortunately, public forums like this can bring out the unhappiness in people. Also, a lot of folks get depressed at this time and just plain don't want anything to do with the holiday or any happiness that others enjoy.
Just keep your own good feelings and the Christmas joy that that this season brings and run with it.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by charlie49

When people say,"Merry Christmas" they are conveying good wishes. Some just do not realize that not all are Christians, or for that matter, hold any type of religious beliefs at all. "Happy Holidays" is much better in respecting that not all people are the same.

The Mesopotamians celebrated the winter solstice 4,000 years ago and this celebration may date back as far cave dwellers. It is an astronomical event that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Many religions attached their stories to this long standing celebration. Christmas varies from the solstice by a few days. This occurred when juluis Ceasar revised the calendar to make it more astronomically accurate. Early calendars needed many revisions before the actual length of an astronomical year was known.

Miracle birth claims are part of almost all relgions, Christians are far from being special in this regard. Just Google 'religions with virgin births' to see a long list.

The signs that state,"Put Christ back in Xmas" would be more historically correct to say,"Put the Stars Back in the Solstice." A good sign might be, "Take the Dollar Out of the Holidays."

Happy Holidays to all.

I like my roots and the way life has been until recent years concerns by too many about offending somebody.

In keeping with no issues or problems in the past and in the spirit of the season, Merry Christmas Charlie!

[Walter123]

I say MERRY CHRISTMAS.....others that don't feel this way can say Festivus for the rest of us!

[quirky3]

Originally Posted by charlie49

"Happy Holidays" is much better in respecting that not all people are the same.

Yes!! I know many, many people who say "Happy Holidays" out of caring and respect. I know zero people who say it to eliminate any other holiday phrases.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by charlie49

When people say,"Merry Christmas" they are conveying good wishes. Some just do not realize that not all are Christians, or for that matter, hold any type of religious beliefs at all. "Happy Holidays" is much better in respecting that not all people are the same.

The Mesopotamians celebrated the winter solstice 4,000 years ago and this celebration may date back as far cave dwellers. It is an astronomical event that has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Many religions attached their stories to this long standing celebration. Christmas varies from the solstice by a few days. This occurred when juluis Ceasar revised the calendar to make it more astronomically accurate. Early calendars needed many revisions before the actual length of an astronomical year was known.

Miracle birth claims are part of almost all relgions, Christians are far from being special in this regard. Just Google 'religions with virgin births' to see a long list.

The signs that state,"Put Christ back in Xmas" would be more historically correct to say,"Put the Stars Back in the Solstice." A good sign might be, "Take the Dollar Out of the Holidays."

Happy Holidays to all.

Happy Holidays Charlie. It isn't necessary to explain the holiday of Christmas...away. It wouldn't matter to me if someone proved Christ was not born at that time or ever. I would still do all the things I have always done, because it makes me happy. I think that if folks aren't having a good time at this time of year, they don't need to say things that belittle Christmas to those who are having a good time and who are enjoying Christmas.

Christmas is a wonderful time and everyone has their own feelings about it. Lacking the joy of Christmas in my childhood, I was determined to find the joy for my children and my husband. I created some joyful traditions that we repeated year after year. And every year Christmas comes to our hearts. Together or apart.

There is so much sadness in this world, so many painful realities, so many things to truly worry about that I will continue to treasure the Christmas season, and secretly wish everyone a Merry Christmas.