Do you consider Christmas to be more than a marketing festival?

1. 61

   Michael-Milecposted 8 years ago

   Do you consider Christmas to be more than a marketing festival?

   report
2. 75

   aliasisposted 8 years ago

   Sure. I am an atheist and there's absolutely no religious aspect to Christmas for me, however, Christmas is an extremely important holiday for me nonetheless. To me, it represents getting together with family, spending time together, eating great meals, singing and playing games, and ultimately just being with the people who love you the most. That isn't something that can be "marketed". And hey, I like the gift-giving traditions (though I think it can definitely go overboard, for sure) and I like the tree, the holly, and other decorations. It's great to have some festivities in winter. But ultimately, the important thing is about being together with family.

   report
   1. 61

      Michael-Milecposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks allasis for being first respondent to the widely advertised commercialization of the Christmas season. Glad to hear you choose your own way celebrating the spirit of the season without any pressure from outside...Wouldn't be nice if this kind

      report
3. 70

   Shyron E Shenkoposted 8 years ago

   Yes absolutely, Christmas represents the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
   That being said, there are those who use Christmas to market what they are selling. 
   Peace and Merry Christmas to you Michael-Milec.

   report
   1. 61

      Michael-Milecposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      More  so in the hearts of believing children, women and men , mostly behind the closed doors of ones family home... We do celebrate presence of the Savior of the world gratefully for Him bein Emmanuel- God with us always.
      The same wishes back to you

      report
4. 68

   connorjposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Indeed, it is the celebration of the birth of the Son of God. Having texted that we celebrate the season from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany (January 6th). Yet it is also a time for celebration with family and friends, both Christian, Jewish, and even Agnostics... We look at it as a time of peace and joy.

   report
   1. 61

      Michael-Milecposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Lovely choice of extended celebration coming " God with us"- Emmanuel throughout  the January then why not a  year-round? Enjoy it my friend peace and joy every day in health and  happynes.

      report
   2. 68

      connorjposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Michael. I do try to extend this thesis year-long...

      report
5. 60

   Sparkleaposted 8 years ago

   Hi Michael,
   Yes, most certainly I view Christmas as more than a marketing festival.
   I absolutely LOVED Christmas as a child...Life was so simple back then.  My grandmother who raised me made Christmas cutout cookies with red cinnamon candies which I loved.
   Excitement was in the air!  LOVED Christmas vacation from school.  My sis and I went sleigh riding in the deep snow.  In those days chains were put on car tires and sounded to me like Santa's sleigh going by the house.
   We went to the Presbyterian church and were told very early about the birth of Christ.  (even though I did not learn of salvation through Christ until I was eighteen years old...from another church).  I remember as a teen praying at the foot of the bed with my Bible...I read the Psalms.  So God knew I was searching.
   I loved the magic and the ambience those days...NO bickering about being 'offended' at "Merry Christmas"...I LOATHE, LOATHE, LOATHE 'HAPPY HOLIDAYS' and the brouhaha attached to Christmas now.
   I miss my childhood days when Christmas was so much more real.  Now people complain about a manger on a neighbor's lawn. 
   I get very upset when someone says, "Christmas is for children."
   It. Is. Not.
   Christmas is for EVERYONE.  It is the celebration of the birth of the Person who saved my life.  The whole meaning of Christmas is Jesus birth.
   Alas, it has become a marketing fiasco, with a child ripping open one gift after another...
   It has become an awful marketing tool...The Christmas commercials have started already!
   Last Christmas my daughter's gift to me was a NYC trip to Radio City Music Hall.  We only live 3 1/2 hours away...I take a bus there quite often as I LOVE NYC!  She bought us tickets for the Christmas show.  There were dancing Santas, the Rockettes, comedy, light and funny music...but the FINAL part was the manger, angels, and a tribute to Jesus Christ.  It was SO beautiful, and tears streamed down my face.  I just wept for joy that they did not leave Jesus out of Christmas.
   All this being said, I say to those who do NOT believe in Jesus and criticize "Merry Christmas" and get offended by mangers and carols:  Simply tell your children there is no reason to participate...that this is a religious holiday you do not believe in and treat it like another day...and let those who DO believe in our Lord and Savior celebrate Jesus's birthday.
   Also, I DO love the giving as the joy is in the giver...and Jesus was born to GIVE US ETERNAL LIFE.  Praise God!  Blessings, Michael Milec

   report
   1. 61

      Michael-Milecposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Double thank you Sparklea for your uplifting comment as well as to the HP administration letting it through. My curiosity would end in satisfaction that in all this hustle and bustle of the season, the Prince of peace continues living in the hearts.

      report