What does christmas mean to you

[Beedie Tijii]

Christmas used to be a time of peace and joy, brotherhood and good will. USED to be.

I see signs like these pop up in neighborhoods now: "I'm American and I say Merry Christmas!"

Well, I'm not an asshole so if someone tells me Happy Holidays I'll say "Same to you!"

I have some Muslim and Jewish friends who are also American and they say Merry Christmas too. So maybe the sign isn't wrong and maybe I'm taking it wrong. But I'm thinking that's not what's intended at all.

This war on Christmas seems to be terribly one-sided and caused by the very people who invented Christmas - the Christians. For someone who's supposed to be spreading this goodwill toward all they sure get pretty pissed off at anyone who doesn't believe like them, or in other words, infidels.

Today Christmas means that I need to get my end-of-the-year donations completed for taxes.

Some people just see every single example of secular inclusiveness as an example of political correctness. It's a reactionary habit that's very common for nationalists, religious bigots and theocrats.

I like the phrase 'happy holidays', although it is seen as a bit of an 'Americanism' across the pond. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Bodhi Day and Saturnalia all at the same time with one pithy, alliterative phrase.

Christmas itself mostly makes me think about food.

 

[twoton]

I was thinking the same thing. It's Facebook memes that seem to promote the idea that you can't say Merry Christmas anymore.

Perpetuated by the people who always could say Merry Christmas but for some reason need to be pissed off about not being allowed to say it. It's like a Trumpesian tautology.

 

[ronin001]

STUD, So am I (haha) but I am CUT so I may say I am Jewish!! Bill lol

Mazel tov

 

[BillM]

Mazel tov

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Bill

 

[rbkwp]

IF
we only knew Dee

as i head to my 2hd or 3rd str BRANDY ha .. Martineu Napolean ..
YAY!@!!

very interesting ha like'

A global map of roadless areas and their conservation status

Road rage. While 80% of Earth’s land remains roadless, this area is broken up into around 600,000 patches and only 7% of these are larger than 100 square kilometres. The team behind this new global map say roadless areas need to be valued for their conservation benefits, and these wildernesses need more protection. (BBC; Science paper)

Roads have done much to help humanity spread across the planet and maintain global movement and trade. However, roads also damage wild areas and rapidly contribute to habitat degradation and species loss. Ibisch et al. cataloged the world's roads. Though most of the world is not covered by roads, it is fragmented by them, with only 7% of land patches created by roads being greater than 100 km2. Furthermore, environmental protection of roadless areas is insufficient, which could lead to further degradation of the world's remaining wildernesses.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6318/1423

wonderful

2016 in pictures: The best science images of the year
Includes storms from space, southern stars and a striking cell.

http://www.nature.com/news/2016-in-pictures-the-best-science-images-of-the-year-1.21156

 

[1010309]

 

[1010309]

Thank you all for your great responses regarding what Christmas means to you ..... They are all great.

Peace on earth to all

 

[1010309]

Christmas means absolutely nothing to me now,its just another day of the year

I 'm so sorry you feel this way. I wish I could send you a gift

 

[1010309]

MERRY CHRISTMAS To ALL MY LPSG FRIEND AND A VERY HAPPY 2017

 

[munkieman]

I 'm so sorry you feel this way. I wish I could send you a gift

Don't worry about it....I understand how scrooge felt,its for kids...although Christmas isn't about traditional values,its about getting into debt by spending money on the later electronic toy.....I can really say I hate Christmas now

 

[ActionBuddy]

In my dreams, Xmas is more about "giving" than "getting"... The supposedly "religious" aspects of it are pretty much null and void to me, now a days... But, then, I sure don't mind when I get a $50 gift card from one of my sisters... ... And, I do like putting up, and decorating a winter solstice tree, in preparation for celebrating the New Year.

A/B

 

[deleted931509]

I hate Christmas - I mean, not hate, it's just that I'd rather not do it. I spend it with a very small family and it's just boring. I used to get drunk to get through it, until I realised that actually it goes a lot more smoothly without a hangover.
The best Christmas I ever had was when I stayed in my own place, thousands of miles from any family, and just cooked my own dinner, and did what I wanted. It was nice. I plan on doing that again soon.
Sorry if that sounds negative. Merry Christmas to all you LPSGers!

 

[ActionBuddy]

Depression.

 

[socalfreak]

When I was young, it was like most people my age....toys, no school, good food, treats..
Now, it's more disgust with the materialism, greed, & selfish rude behavior that permeates our society.
I'm old enough now to appreciate that the ones you care about won't be there forever.
I spoil my nephew & focus more on enjoying having people I care about in my life.
I don't hate Christmas...I just hate what it seems to bring out in people now.

 

[chicagosam]

Depression.

Aww, c'mon there, Buckaroo! Be of good cheer!

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to only white, über-wealthy people. For unto you is coronated this day in the city of Washington DC, the self-proclaimed savior, which is Trump the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the boob wrapped in gold lame lying in a tower."--The Fact Free Gospel of Trump Accuording To the Sainted KellyAnne

OK. Back to depression. I feel your pain. But, good cheer your way, regardless.

"It gets (can only get) better."--The Gospel Accirding To Dan Savage

 

[Digger]

What I enjoy about Christmas:
> Looking at the decorations people have put up - both the elaborate and the simple.
> Christmas music - but only during December and up to Christmas Day, perhaps the day after Christmas is okay too. (please don't start playing Christmas songs right after Halloween, and keep playing them after Christmas.)
> The childlike giddiness of snow on Christmas Day - although I have to travel to see that, because we certainly don't get it in Thailand.
> Classic Christmas specials on TV (Rudolph, The Grinch, Charlie Brown, etc.), "A Christmas Story" ("you'll shoot your eye out, kid") and "It's a Wonderful Life", which I've seen about 30 times, and I cry every time.
> Giving someone a heartfelt and well-thought-out gift I know they'll appreciate, regardless of expense - in fact, sometimes the cheapest ones are the best.

What I do not enjoy about Christmas:
> The loneliness, even if I'm surrounded by friends.
> Feeling the need to get a gift for someone just because societal norms say I should. This year, I almost got my father nothing, because honestly I couldn't find anything I think he'd really want or appreciate. I didn't want to get him something just to get him something. It should have meaning. Then, I just happened to find a box of cookies in a local supermarket here that I know he really likes, and you can't get them in the U.S. They cost about 12 cents per box here. I bought him 10 boxes. Sure, it only cost me $1.20...but I know he'll love them more than some sweater that he'll probably wear once or twice and only trot out whenever I visit. Throughout the year, if I'm out somewhere and see something I know one of my friends or family would really love, I'll get it for them as a gift to give any day of year, not just Christmas.
> Eggnog. I used to love it. Now I think it's just awful.

 

[ActionBuddy]

Creepy songs.

Pur-rump-a-pum-pum.