How Christian is your Christmas?

I’m not a churchgoer but, like others, I do keep a few small rituals to remind me what Christmas is about. I always like to have the crib on display, and never miss the Nine Lessons and Carols. I also have a favourite poem that I read on Christmas Eve - T.S. Elliot’s ‘The Journey of the Magi’. On Chirstmas Day there is Bach’s ‘Jauchzet, frohlocket’ to kick start my day. I really couldn’t have Christmas without that. From then on, anything goes.

Thank you Daddima,

Thank you Daddima - I always thought it was laziness!

My approach to Christianity has switched about over my 73 years. I was brought up as Catholic, attending Catholic schools (no brainwashing) and married in church. I neglected my religion until children came along and both were baptised and confirmed though only one attended a Catholic secondary school. Neither is sure they believe on God and both married in hotels. The elder had her children christened in the C of E, which I couldn't fathom as she had no knowledge of that faith and though her DH and his family regarded themselves as C of E, none of them ever attended church - and his sister was married in a Catholic church!

Whilst we don't regard it as a religious festival as such we do sing Carols and I have a nativity scene on display. But really nowadays it is just an excuse for families to get together and for some to get drunk at parties, so not religious at all.

vampirequeen

I'm not a Christian so there is no Christianity in my Christmas. Although it's now referred to as Christmas, mid-Winter festivals have been held for thousands of years. So in our house it's simply that. Lots of greenery, lots of food and lots of fun.

Similar to our family. We do try to accentuate the giving to others side of the festival.

Maybe Dan should have done his homework!
No need to be facetious. I said earlier on this thread, that I, and no doubt Dan too, aren't complaining or belittling what others do, or how they express it.

Thank you Daddima, I didn't know this. I believed it was an American import. Very interesting.

escaped

Cabbie21

Yesterday Dan Walker on Classic FM , announcing a competition or something, asked people to text in with the word Christmas. He added “Not Xmas, put Christ back into Christmas”.

Always.

"Xmas” is a common abbreviation of the word “Christmas”. The “-mas” part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for “Mass”, while the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as “Christ”.
There is a common misconception that the word Xmas is a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas”. While “Xmas” is considered to be an informal abbreviation, and should never be used in formal writing, it is historically correct.

Maybe Dan should have done his homework!

LaCrepescule

For me, Christmas is about the birth of Christ. I’m not particularly religious but it saddens me that this message is all but lost.

I understand, but it’s well known that it was a date arbitrarily selected by the church authorities, in conjunction with the incorporation of the Pagan winter solstice festival of Saturnalia into the Christian calendar, during the early 4th century.

This was done at the behest of Roman Emperor Constantine as a means of bringing the many Pagans in the then Roman Empire, into Christianity, as a means of strengthening the empire under one religion. Since there were no records of who Jesus was or when he was born, December 25th, immediately after the end of Saturnalia, was as good a date as any to pick.

Large numbers of the public mightn’t be aware of this, after all, the Christian church doesn’t advertise the fact, but all biblical scholars have long known it.

Not very- as we are not religious. Christmas was highjacked from Celtic culture, and as we live on an ancient Celtic site, this is more what I feel personally. We do have a tree, nothing Christian about this however, as said above.

Meloni in Italy has just passed a Law forcing all schools to have a traditional Nativity Scene in all schools. Does she realise Joseph and mary looked quite dark. The she was an unmarried mother- and what about the wise men?

As an atheist, it's not - and I always write xmas!

For me, Christmas is about the birth of Christ. I’m not particularly religious but it saddens me that this message is all but lost.

Although all my children and I have been baptised we don't go to church nor have religious displays in our houses at Christmas.
A lovely vicar once told me that being a Christian is about caring for all living creatures, being kind and considerate and helping where you can. Isn't that what Jesus did . Going to church isn't necessary to being a Christian.

I was brought up Catholic but no longer to go church but regard myself as a Christian, I always put a crib up , when our daughter was small we didn't put the baby in till Christmas eve. I like the day, made even more special as I have a DGC born on that day, but I hate the hype mostly made by the big supermarkets and the press that it will all somehow be spoiled unless you having a huge family gathering and a table groaning with food. And don't forget the Bailey's and a box of celebration🤐

Kate1949

After my staunch Catholic upbringing, religion doesn't have a part in my life at all now. However, being Christian as in being kind to others is what I always try to be.

Same

I have sung so many Christmas concerts in the past that I am well aware of the Christian nature of Christmas. However, it doesn’t come into my family celebrations very much, though I made sure my children were aware of it. Nobody goes to church, though we do listen to and watch the Nine Lessons and Carols.

My son wanted to get a little nativity set for his children when they were small, but my DIL, brought up Catholic, was having none of it. She said something to the effect that she wasn’t having the children brainwashed, as she was.

Exactly vampirequeen, it wouldn't be Christmas.

Smileless2012

Good for Dan Walker Cabbie, if not for Jesus there wouldn't be Christmas.

But there would still be a mid-winter festival. We'd just call it something else.

After my staunch Catholic upbringing, religion doesn't have a part in my life at all now. However, being Christian as in being kind to others is what I always try to be.

Good for Dan Walker Cabbie, if not for Jesus there wouldn't be Christmas.

Really should have read that through before posting.

To me the fact that Christmas is a Christian festival is important. I do realise it piggybacks on more ancient festivals.

We don't go to church as much as we used to but are still involved. The DGC 'do' Chritmas at school. Little ones still have nativity plays and they all have school Carol services at local churches. I will attend the local one that two DGC are involved it. Another family always decorate a tree for their Christmas tree festival. I've helped with that other years but now the children are able to do it themselves.

We will fit a couple of Cristingle services in with grandchildren. Also the nine lessons and carols on Christmas Eve. Most years we go too church on Christmas morning too but not sure we will be able to this year.

We have a crib in a prominent position in the hall every Christmas. We go to church as a family. Even the ttal non-believe in the family si insistent on that. DGS, now 15, is still a amember of Boys Brigade and chose to be confirmed last year. His mother attends church with him.

We see the family, as being everything Christmas is about, but at nearly every Christmas we have someone from outside the family with us.

Cabbie21

Yesterday Dan Walker on Classic FM , announcing a competition or something, asked people to text in with the word Christmas. He added “Not Xmas, put Christ back into Christmas”.

Always.

Yesterday Dan Walker on Classic FM , announcing a competition or something, asked people to text in with the word Christmas. He added “Not Xmas, put Christ back into Christmas”.