We had our Christmas Progressive Dinner at church last night. We started with appetizers at a gorgeous, huge, home. What a nice view! Then back to church for some to attend Saturday night service, while others stayed at the appetizer course.
After church we all went into the new gym for a dinner of prime rib, lemon chicken or vegan/vegetarian. Awesome food served by the youth in our church.
Plenty of door and raffle prizes. I won a bottle of wine and an oven rack...which was cool as Angie is always saying the only rack in our house isn't big enough to hold cornish game hens
Entertainment was about 20 middle school kids that perform in a "glee" type club. They were so cute, funny and talented! We will have them back again.
Then off to the dessert course for a lot of goodies that I stayed away from...was getting my calories a plenty from the wine
Other than having to pick up, twice, a 73 year old lady off the floor (she has Muscular Dystrophy and beginning Alzheimer's) a fun time was had by all
I personally enjoy the holiday season(s). I like the smells of baking goods in the oven [even if I don't eat any of it], I enjoy the sense of being together & just enjoying each other's company.
I like decorating a LOT lol. But we're the ONLY people on our ENTIRE street with any lights up, any decorations, even just a wreath! It breaks my heart
I was reading something interesting recently which said that the Day of the Dead is the fastest growing holiday in the United States. I come from a Mexican family that never celebrated it because not all Mexicans do, at least not all Mexican-Americans. The funny thing is I had some cousins posting this year about it and I've always appreciated the artistry surrounding it. People like holidays which is one reason you see many non-Christians celebrating at least winter time and possibly decorating their house, opening presents on Christmas, etc.
I'm still hoping for a smooth flight to visit my family. We don't really do presents or at least we try not to. I'll inevitably get a few small trinkets from a couple people.
I am not a fan of christmas. The reason: it is one of the few days of the year I am guaranteed not to work and I have to spend a heap of money and time participating in something that really has not particular interest or significants to me. In saying that, if christmas is your thing, go for it.
I am only speaking for myself here in response to some of the posts
When I, as a christian, say "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season" it is just a reminder for all that believe to "focus" on why we celebrate the birth of Christ.
It is not meant to offend those that don't believe.
For believers Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons! W/o Him we have zero seasons or purpose in life.
In response about Jewish people not "door knocking" ...this is very true. The Jewish religion does not go out and "convert"...they do allow it though under certain circumstances. Jewish people do not believe their religion is for ALL people. Christians believe Christianity is for ALL who believe in Christ as their Savior..all sinners and races alike...for those that repent and believe in Christ and what he has done.
As a Christian it really matters very little if one celebrates Hanukkah, Day of The Dead, Kwanzaa or any other celebration during winter or anytime for that matter...these things mean nothing to me.
If someone wants to celebrate Christmas "Santa Claus style" w/o remembering the birth of Christ then fine for them. I, as I have mentioned, have an overlap of Santa Claus Christmas in my life but it will mean nothing for my eternity....oh but the birth of the Christ child will!
As I end this my family is trying to find the right evening for a family get together for ALL during this season of LOVE....and that is a good thing
Today at work I was in the same room as a job friend of mine. I asked him about his Christmas plans and he just went off telling my how he hates this time of year. His wife spending a lot of money on the grandkids and kids that isn't necessary. His wife and son in law getting into a fight because she buys too much and competes with her daughter for the best buyer of toys.
Pretty sad
After I got home from work, while I was putting the trash out, a neighbor lady, that can see my house from hers, walked by with her dog and thanked me for my decorations and said she had a Bible study at her house the day before and the ladies all loved the view of my house from hers.
Now that was a good thing
Then a lady that goes to my church came running by with her 6 year old twins....stopping to pet my dogs and telling me how excited they were for Santa Claus to come and that they were baking cookies for him and baby Jesus....( mom whispering to me she doesn't need to eat all those cookies! )
I like the traditions. I like the smell of ginger bread and sugar cookies and popcorn balls. I love decorating the tree. I love saying "Merry Christmas" to clients, friends, family and wishing them all a happy new year.
I like church on Christmas Eve.
But mostly I like the fact, that my side of the family, works together to celebrate, maybe not on the "day", but we work it out so we have the whole day to spend together. All of us are busy, with several folks who have jobs that involve being on call.
We reserve this time to be together. With the large and extended family, just on my side, this celebration is sacred! We don't care about your religious sexual, political or whatever preference, just show up and have fun, and enjoy the family time. We bring $5 gifts and play robber bingo, for gifts and then play charades or bingo or some other silly game. Lots of fun.
Unfortunately, my husbands side of the family, is not as forgiving, or accepting. They are in a snit this year due to lots of family crisis, and don't even want to do anything.
I love most everything about Christmas itself -- the spirit of giving, love, peace, joy, and goodwill towards men. I like the music & carols & great Christmas stories (including movies). You can feel how the spirit of Christmas makes many people more cheery & helpful & giving at this time of year.
We try to share the many blessings we have received with others. DH and I give all year round, and to many different sources but we give at this time of year too. We look for small gifts that people really like or need, whenever we can; and we limit the price too (just like your family does).
We decorate and hang up some pretty lights; and we have a lovely pine tree that DH found one year (many people think it's real). We put out our home-made Nativity Creche -- DH made the Creche, and I made Mary & Joseph; and some friends helped with it too, even donating the baby Jesus (bless their hearts).
We have a nice dinner and share with friends each year; used to be with family but they all live far away now (so I send cards and small gifts to my parents). I don't bake like I used to (trying to watch), but we do serve some snacks like a variety of nuts & cheeses, along with olives, meat & crackers; snack mix, and light shortbread & gingerbread men, etc.)
I like it that even non-Christians celebrate the season with us; any time there is more love and joy in the air, the world is a better place for it ...
The lyrics to this song seems to fit our thread here....
The Christians and the Pagans
------Dar Williams
Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three.
He told his niece, "It's Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style,"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile,"
So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.
The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian,"
"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere."
So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning,
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.
When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here."
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying,
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."
So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.
I was able to stop by the grocery on the way home and pick up some turkeys and hams and gift card for the baskets my church will hand out this week-end....
that's a good thing
I am blessed
that's a good thing
As I went over to the church office to tell our secretary I put the goodies in the kitchen, and give her the family assistance gift card, I noticed a sign on the door....
"we are unable to take anymore requests for baskets at this time"
The lyrics to this song seems to fit our thread here....
The Christians and the Pagans
------Dar Williams
Interesting that you posted that EZ! - I was just explaining to a friend of mine the similarities of celebrations between Xtians & pagans. I think a lot of Xtians don't know or realize that many of their Xmas celebration traditions are rooted in pagan tradition. For instance, the Winter Solstice -
Winter Solstice (celebrated on or around December 21)
which is also called Yule, Jul, Saturnalia, Christmas, solar/secular New Year
Colors: red, green, white
Decorations/tools: mistletoe, evergreen wreath, lights, gifts, holly, Yule log, Yule tree
Energy: regeneration & renewal
Rituals: personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends
Customs: wreaths, holly, mistletoe, lights, gift-giving, singing, feasting, resolutions
Also, the Xtian "Easter" celebration (and the St. Patrick's celebration) is in tune with Spring Equinox which includes:
Dates: around March 21
Colors: green, yellow
Tools: eggs, basket, green clothes
Energy: birthing, sprouting, greening
Rituals: breakthrough, new growth, new projects, seed blessings
Customs: wearing green, egg games, new clothes, egg baskets
I find it very interesting all the similarities and differences between religions, and I enjoy learning about them as well. When I was in college, I took a course called "Philosophy of Eastern Religion" which was a quick study on Buddhism, Hinduism, and a few other eastern religions, in contrast and comparison to western religions. It's truly a fascinating subject!
)
Well GARY, likes & dislikes about Christmas ... 
I love most everything about Christmas itself -- the spirit of giving, love, peace, joy, and goodwill towards men. I like the music & carols & great Christmas stories (including movies). You can feel how the spirit of Christmas makes many people more cheery & helpful & giving at this time of year. 
We decorate and hang up some pretty lights; and we have a lovely pine tree that DH found one year (many people think it's real). We put out our home-made Nativity Creche -- DH made the Creche, and I made Mary & Joseph; and some friends helped with it too, even donating the baby Jesus (bless their hearts).
We have a nice dinner and share with friends each year; used to be with family but they all live far away now (so I send cards and small gifts to my parents). I don't bake like I used to (trying to watch), but we do serve some snacks like a variety of nuts & cheeses, along with olives, meat & crackers; snack mix, and light shortbread & gingerbread men, etc.) 
