It's Christmas Time... again

[BooJaka]

With the month being what it is and with the temperature ever gradually inching downwards, my mind inevitably turns to Christmas and whether or not it has lost its religious meaning and become too commercialised.

I consider myself to be firmly Agnostic meaning that I don't necessarily believe that any kind of god exists but, at the same time, I wouldn't say that there is definitely no god as, in my mind, I've seen no proof to support either argument. It's a bit of a fancy way of saying "I don't know" but that's how I feel about it.

Being this way, Christmas doesn't truly have much of a religious meaning to me. Oh sure, I know the story just as well as most people in the western world but, having doubts that such things were right to happen, should I really be celebrating this holiday? If I so shamelessly enjoy Christmas, shouldn't I do the same for Diwali or Passover?

One major concern that pops into people's minds around this time of year is that Christmas has become too commercialised; that the shops specially stock items only available to get money out of the people willing to buy them and that the Christmas spirit has turned from religious matters to simply trying to buy someone a better present than they got you in some kind of competition. But let's put this into context. One year all the shops didn't just suddenly decide to make everyone buy more at Christmas, this happened because people were willing to buy more and the demand was obviously there. If you feel that the commercialism of the season has ruined Christmas then it is not the big companies you should be blaming, you should blame yourself for buying into it in the first place.

And so, in my opinion, perhaps Christmas has lost its religious meaning with only the diehard Christians among us keeping it real and celebrating the season the way it used to be but then it had lost its religious meaning part way through the last century, it's nothing new. And just because it has lost one meaning is not to say it doesn't have others. Commercialised or not, Christmas is still the season of giving which I still feel is necessary throughout the world and, as it has become a social event rather than a religious one, as a nation, we invited all people to enjoy it as we do whether you're Christian or not. That's why I love Christmas.

Feel free to disagree

[Roderick]

There's a documentary coming out about this topic. I don't know the name, but it features a mock-reverend preaching the coming of the 'Shopocalypse', trying to get people to come to their senses and not buy outrageous amounts of stuff anymore during Christmas and thanksgiving etc.

That aside, I do like Christmas and the december month because of the spirit of giving. Religious stuff aside, I think that's very important for human kind, to have a ritualized point somewhere that is dedicated to altruism, love and friendship. The religious meanings are complete bullcrap; the birth of Jesus is a politically orchestrated event meant to pacify the many-coloured inhabitants of the Roman empire. Christmas is actually the pagan celebration of the winter solstice wrapped in Christian mythology. But, you know, whatever. As I said, I like the event because it's meaningful to the inner spirit.

[JoannaDark]

It seems to me that people spend a shitload at Christmas because everyone wants to return to those Christmases when you were a kid and everything was so magical, and like the only way to get that feeling back is to buy enough presents so that on Christmas morning you'll be all childish and superexcited again. But it doesn't seem to work. i'm getting a little sick of christmas shopping in general, everyone I love I give little things to during the year anyway and it's really difficult, especially when you know someone years and have run the full gamut of generic presents, to get something really inspired.case in point - my best friend and i have resorted to buying each other teddy bears from a particular range for birthdays and xmas. they're horrible, but it's hard to keep up with presents when i know that if she wants something she'll just go out and get it herself. So not even the consumerism of christmas is special anymore; it'd be hard to outshadow that of the rest of the year.

course, i get chanukah presents too.

[Noyb]

Reminds me of Tom Lehrer's "A Christmas Carol". Can't find a good streaming version atm, but worth seeking out. Key quote:

Hark, the Herald Tribune sings,

Advertising wondrous things.

God rest ye merry merchants,

May ye make the Yuletide pay.

Angels we have heard on high,

Tell us to go out and buy!

[Coldkill]

I would venture the theory that people believe that giving big, expensive presents shows their love and affection for someone. Christmas being the time of year to show a kindly attitude towards your fellow man, some people take that as "Give them presents!"

This attitude may have spurred on many shops to stock items for Christmas in an effort to cash in on this mentality.

I personally believe that Christmas is too commercialised and that children now believe it is a time for presents rather than a time for thought for ones fellow man and giving to those that do not have the benefits most of us enjoy something.

[Salka]

Here's the way I see it.

For kids, yeah it's time for big shiny presents, shiny colourful lights, toys, christmas trees, crappy kids TV and eating shitloads of food.

For adults, it's a time of getting together with your family.

I am totally okay with that. People who moan about it being too commercial... you know, you don't actually HAVE to buy presents. Especially not expensive ones. If you do then you have the worst family and friends in the world. Or you are weak willed.

I often get concerned about buying people gifts that they will love, but that has nothing to do with expense. For instance, I got Ginger the most awesome present ever this year, and it only cost me £5 but will mean so so much to him. We weren't gonna buy each other gifts but I saw this one thing that he'd totally love and I had to get it. I don't expect anything in return. And the same goes for Spaff... I have the most awesome present in the world for them both, oh man, I got them:

Dude, you didn't really think I'd tell you what your present was did you?