The meaning of Christmas

[Kendhni]

What is the meaning of Christmas to you?

For me it is about family and being able to spend quality time with the family.
We don't really go for the commercial side and limit the amount we all spend on each other ... in particular Julie and I buy each other token gifts and make a contribution into our 'holiday fund'.

[GillD46]

If my husband isn't working all over Christmas, working over Christmas has happened all too often, a family day is what is most important to us. Too many years our children couldn't understand why daddy wasn't there on Christmas day! No more though. Yes we give gifts, sometimes expensive, sometimes not, but a special meal, lots of games and a little Christmas TV makes our day together special.

[Frank Manning]

When I used to sing in a good church choir the highlight was the Carols, and Christmas anthems, which had so many lovely bass parts, especially Silent Night which has a beautiful bass part and which we used to sing during Midnight Mass. Christingle, The nine lessons and carols, and all the frienship and enjoyment which we the choir got from the services and rehearsals. It was a lovely time, with reflection too on how lucky we were to be able to enjoy it and to have full stomachs and warm homes.

Then a new vicar came; crash bang wallop. No carols before Christmas Eve, happy clappers songs and no four part music. Now I have to go and listen to other choirs, and watch Kings College on TV, hoping to hear 'In the bleak midwinter' - Harold Darke, or some John Rutter. Somehow its not quite the same.

Luckily we are blessed with a lovely family and grandson, and we can still reflect on the less fortunate at a time of indulgence.

[Boris+]

The festivities which so many subscribe to in late December sometimes make me shudder. Now - don't think I'm being disrespectful or anything, but so many people are pressured to spend money on stuff which they don't really need, and it causes long term unhappiness for so many ....... and all the while they are subscribing to the festivities simply 'because they do', and not because of their faith.

I feel so sorry for people who really go 'all out' and try very very hard to buy costly gifts and change their eating, drinking and clothing habits - and they do so mainly as a result of the intense advertising which we are all going to be subjected to.

Looking back, yes I made mistakes along the way, but now we don't do that anymore - it's a matter of choice. There are people pushing trolleys around supermarkets, running up the till bills, and do they look happy - no they don't.

So - what do we do? Well, for a start we don't do turkey and all the trimmings, qed we are not on a turkey only diet for several days. We don't like dried fruit, so mince pies etc are out. We do have a special meal on the 25th and 26th - but each meal is different.

To us the end of the year is a time to reflect, and gently celebrate getting through the 12 months. Yes there are gifts - why not? Yes we decorate a tree, and yes we do send cards - but that has now dwindled considerably.

Anyway, we celebrate the end of the year - gently and quietly; not joining in the huge crush in the shops, not attending any religious events; and most certainly not drinking, spending or eating to excess.

At the start of the following year we therefore don't have any regrets about the festive season, just contentment. It wouldn't suit everyone, but it suits us.

I hope that everyone else gets through it with minimal stress, and happiness.


Em

[Jan Rosser]

I don't wish to put a damper on people's enjoyment of Christmas but I'm afraid I don't enjoy Christmas very much having lost my husband a few days before. It will be seven years this Christmas and each year I tell myself it will be better this year but as the anniversary approaches it is all I can think of. It is a time of reflection for me - looking back to all those Christmas days with my family - happy times I count my blessings that I have such a lovely family and since having grandchildren it is extra special and a day spent with them is the best.

I just wish Christmas hadn't become so commercialised - I buy for close family and friends but struggle with what to get - everyone has so much these days My grandchildren still believe in Father Christmas so a peep at their lists will help me with their gifts.

Someone on tv has just said it is 76 days to go

[Dark Knight]

sorry to put a damper on this but I have no interest in Xmas
it is a commercial festival and has lost any meaning it ever had

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the son of God...not a binge drinking and eating holiday.
I feel for people of faith who's real celebration has been hijacked

[Stephen]

Yep, it's just an over commercialised shop keepers paradise.


Just another day.


BAH HUMBUG

[Quizzical Bob]

it's still October. Christmas should not be mentioned until after Remembrance Day, in my opinion.

[david63]

it's still October. Christmas should not be mentioned until after Remembrance Day, in my opinion.

Preferably about 40 days after

[Silver_Shiney]

For me, it is the celebration of the birth of my Saviour, even though it's at the wrong time of year (should be around September/October). We go to a midnight carol service at our 14th-century church building, which is lovely, but apart from that, I am becoming increasingly fed up with Christmas - it has been hijacked by commercialism, and it starts way too early in the year. Families seem (to me, at any rate) to be under pressure to buy lavish presents - especially for their children - that they can't afford, and then spend the rest of the year paying off the debt. Years ago, I was giving a lift to one of my son's friends, who was bragging about what he'd received - a computer, a bicycle and a TV (he was about 8). My son got a Guinness Book of Records, and this little lad couldn't believe that that was my son's main present.

We put our tree up as late as possible (used to be on Christmas Eve but recently, because of other things happening in the house, it's been a little earlier than than) and take it down as soon as possible - usually New Year's Eve. Personally, I wouldn't bother with it, as I dislike the disruption and, even though it looks nice, it just seems to be an awful lot of work for the sake of a few days.

We buy presents for each other and the kids (although not, this year, for my son and his family per se, as we're going over there to visit next month and so our "present" will be the entrance fees to Legoland, Cape Kennedy etc), and the Lady C cooks a traditional Christmas lunch for us, which is always most appreciated.

Bah humbug to the lot of it, I say!

I wonder if this Christmas they'll begin to understand
The Jesus that they celebrate is much more than a man
'Cause the way the world is I don't see how people can deny
The only way to save us was for Jesus Christ to die

And I know that if St. Nicholas was here he would agree
That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all to you and me
They led him to the slaughter on a hill called Calvary
And mankind was forgiven when they nailed him to the tree

But most of all the children they're the ones I hope will learn
That Jesus is our savior and he's going to return
And Christmas isn't just a day and all days aren't the same
Perhaps they'll think about the word and see it spells his name

And I know that if St. Nicholas was here he would agree
That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all to you and me
They led him to the slaughter on a hill called Calvary
And mankind was forgiven, mankind was forgiven
We were all forgiven when they nailed him to the tree

So Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.
Hoo-hoo. Ooo-ooh.
I wonder if this Christmas they'll begin to understand?

Randy Stonehill

Once in Royal David's City stood a lonely cattle shed,
Where a mother held her baby.
You'd do well to remember the things He later said.
When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
You'll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making
That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.

So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry,
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.

(Hey! Santa! Pass us that bottle, will you?)

Jethro Tull

[lioness]

I suppose it depends on whether you believe in a god. We don't, so Christmas is simply a holiday like any other. We have long since stopped buying each other presents - we just have a lovely day, a roaring fire, some good food!

[Meg 50]

it's still October. Christmas should not be mentioned until after Remembrance Day, in my opinion.

Agreed - no Christmas till after my birthday - which is on Remembrance Sunday this year!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Onelife]

Just like any other season of the year, winter (Christmas) has something special about it and although not a believer in the origins of Christmas I can still enjoy the atmosphere, excitement and thoughtfulness that Christmas brings out in most of us...

Yes! And if my wife thinks I’ll be forking out another £360 like I did last year she’s going to be very disappointed.

Happy Christmas

Regards

OL

[Meg 50]

it's still October. Christmas should not be mentioned until after Remembrance Day, in my opinion.

Agreed - no Christmas till after my birthday - which is on Remembrance Sunday this year!!!!!!!!!!!!

But when it comes it'll be simple and beautiful and have God and Jesus in it - otherwise it's just 'mas' cos Christ is missing

[Jacknian]

Unlike lots of you, I absolutely love Christmas, and everything about it. It's a time when all my family come to stay and we have a few days off work, lots of fun and good food. I start preparations in October and buy a little each week so the financial impact is spread out. I still do a stocking for my children even though they are in their 30s now ! They would be so disappointed if they didn't have one, and I love searching for little amusing gifts to fill them with. I love the lights in the shops, decorating the tree and the house, listening to the carols on TV, and so many more things. It's a bright spot in the middle of winter to cheer us up. Of course if I could afford more than one cruise a year I'd love to try a Christmas cruise ! But all my family would have to come too.

[Boris+]

We've just had a visit and a nice chat with our daughter and her husband; and it now seems that this December is going to be (hopefully and fingers and toes crossed) the last quiet one for some years.

We're going to be grandparents (early-ish 2014) - so, this will be the last quiet one I think, hopefully.

Em

[HK phooey]

Congratulations Boris, that's wonderful news.

[Boris+]

Cheers Helen,

I feel like fireworks and tigger! Fingers crossed - we've seen the first scan, I just can't believe it.

Em

[Jean W]

That's wonderful news Em - Congratulations

[Jan Rosser]

So pleased for you Em - I absolutely adore my grandchildren - you have so much to look forward to

[Boris+]

I feel so excited - roll on 2014!

Em

[david63]

That's it Em - the beginning of the end

You do realise that grandchildren are put on this planet with one aim in life - to bankrupt grandparents (and they have it down to a fine art from the minute they are born)

[Boris+]

I have to be very careful and be mindful of the feelings of the other grandparents - BUT I've already been looking on several websites - but easy does it for the time being.

I can gaily go off on our next cruise and BUY A TEDDY!!!!

Em

[Brenda W]

Congratulations Em, we are going to be grandparents early 2014 to twins. I have seen the scans and another one is due next Friday. I have already started buying for them. So happy, already have one grandson so is a joy.

Brenda

[Frank Manning]

Congratulations Em, we are going to be grandparents early 2014 to twins. I have seen the scans and another one is due next Friday. I have already started buying for them. So happy, already have one grandson so is a joy.

Brenda

Congratulations Brenda and Phil, from me and Sue. Keep us in touch.

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary is a week on Saturday, it hardly seems possible.