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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
 'Happy Holidays' |
Posted Dec 18, 2009; 9:18 pm |
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Does it bother you that people don't say Merry Christmas ? I hear some say that we should even boycott stores who will not support the word 'Christmas' in someway or other. Personally, it doesn't matter to me one bit. But I know of other Christians that take it as an offense and really don't see this as an area to 'turn the other cheek'.
Some believe there is merit in standing and fighting for certain traditions that seem to be losing their Christian meaning. My belief is that we shouldn't have tried to Christianize a pagan celebration in the first place. Obviously, not a popular belief. But as I observe the primary worship of the god of materialism during this season I keep thinking more and more that it would be better to take a Sunday sometime in the year and use it to celebrate God coming into this world in human form. Forget all the gift exchanges and perhaps make it a day of gospel concerts and rejoicing - Joy to the world the Lord is come.
Well, since the forum is pretty quiet, I thought I would stir the pot a little.  |
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| Neto Member Joined Feb 2, 2005 254 posts Location: Holmes County, Ohio |
| Re: 'Happy Holidays' |
Posted Dec 19, 2009; 10:13 am |
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| Sudsy wrote: | | Well, since the forum is pretty quiet, I thought I would stir the pot a little. |
The pot that is being stirred most right now is the one that has the hot cider in it. |
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| gay lynn voth Member Joined Jan 25, 2005 693 posts |
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Posted Dec 20, 2009; 9:24 pm |
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Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you Sudsy!  The cards I appreciate the most usually include the words "Peace" or "Joy" on the front of them ... and then it doesn't matter whether the inside says "Happy Hol(y)days" of "Merry Christmas" ...
Personally - "May the Peace of Christ be with you all this season" ... and "Joy to the World". 
Neto - I appreciated your humor I've been stirring a few pots (of homemade soup) and expect to do a lot more stirring in the weeks ahead since I am the primary cook for a number of family gatherings.  |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Dec 21, 2009; 9:27 am |
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| Quote: | | Personally - "May the Peace of Christ be with you all this season" ... and "Joy to the World". |
And to you and yours. Looking forward to more dialogue in the coming year, Lord willing. |
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| lornewel Member Joined May 11, 2004 553 posts Location: Abbotsford |
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Posted Dec 22, 2009; 11:18 am |
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It is not so much the actual greeting as it is the perceived purpose of avoiding mentioning Christ.
Personally, since I am not Roman Catholic, I will not be celebrating Christ-mass, but will be honouring the Lord on every holy-day of the year.
So I wish for all of you happy holy days. |
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| McDLT Moderator Joined May 14, 2004 1451 posts Location: Toronto |
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Posted Dec 23, 2009; 12:21 pm |
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| To be completely honest - I don't have any issues with people saying - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, et al. I think it's the person's motivation (heart and spirit) which matter - if they're just saying it because it's what you say at this time of year, than I think it's lost its meaning to them, but if they say it because they really mean it, than it means something. Hope this made some sense. |
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| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
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Posted Dec 24, 2009; 11:24 am |
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Merry Christmas!! to everyone who is part of our Forum community (either as an active poster or reader)
In terms of boycotting stores that don’t use the word ‘Christmas’ – I try to stay out of malls as much as possible anyway. In our multicultural society I don’t much care one way or the other how if they advertize with Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. At times I listen to KYLN (a Washington State Christian radio station) and hear US businesses advertising on the station about the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas along with a plug for their car dealership or whatever. Those ads sound like ‘buy Christian’ advertisements to me and to me anyway are off-putting.
- changing topic a bit; as we go to Christmas church services, family gatherings and so forth – keep in mind all the family and relationship turmoil and violence that happens over the holiday season. I dealt with new domestic violence clients right up until walking out the office yesterday. In a twisted way its the Christmas Season. (I’m glad to be heading toward a break for the next few days). It’s a tough time of the year for many families and for police officers. Keep them in our prayers. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
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Posted Dec 24, 2009; 2:10 pm |
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thanks for the link Sudsy
a quick point - the article appears to come out of Victoria, Australia not Victoria BC - at first while reading it I thought it was from Victoria BC except some of the statistics (police calls, etc) seemed high for Victoria and terms (police generated 'Family violence safety notices') were unfamiliar.
it seemed odd to me that the article didn't mention alcohol as a contributing factor to domestic violence. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Dec 24, 2009; 2:33 pm |
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| Quote: | | it seemed odd to me that the article didn't mention alcohol as a contributing factor to domestic violence. |
Yes, although I like a little rum in my cake this time of year  , there is no doubt that alcohol is a major contributor. I drove taxi cab as a part time job many years ago and experienced the awful evils of excessive alcohol intake and the acts of violence that often are triggered by the alcohol. I can tell and have told some pretty sad stories of experiences I had at this time.
Perhaps the writer didn't want to 'stick their neck out' mentioning the booze issue. Many don't want to look at the dangers there. I wish I could take some believers who mess with excessive alcohol on a tour and show them first hand of what it can do. Many times I have taken battered women and men to the hospital in the taxi cab from domestic violence from heavy alcohol settings.
IMO, every believer that is not a total abstainer, should go to one of the inner city missions, participate and view what can happen. Well, enough said and in some people's opinion, too much. |
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| westcoast frame of mind Moderator |
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Posted Dec 24, 2009; 3:30 pm |
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| Here is Regent College’s Prof Stackhouse’s weighing in on the Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays question. link and also on the good Professor's blog you can directly post comments to Prof Stackhouse: link |
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| Len Member Joined Nov 7, 2007 255 posts Location: Kelowna, BC |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Dec 25, 2009; 1:30 pm |
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| Quote: | | “When Christians take the Christmas narrative seriously, the practice of gift-exchange within a closed circle of family and friends becomes problematic. If our lives are to mirror the ways of God, then we must break open the closed circle of exchange so that Christmas gifts flow outward to those with profound needs.” |
I especially agree with this quote. What gifts have we given today to those with profound needs, expecting no similar gift in exchange ?
I recall a family member who always weighed the value of this gift exchange and was insulted if it was less than that individual had given or the gift they received was obtained through some special sale (sometimes discovered with a return). The gift thing certainly can become very unChrist like in various ways.
We must get away from this consumer mindset to rather being contributors. This is what Jesus modelled. |
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| rudyhiebert Member Joined Oct 2, 2003 481 posts Location: Abbotsford BC |
| Re: 'Happy Holidays' |
Posted Jan 1, 2010; 10:11 pm |
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| Sudsy wrote: | | Does it bother you that people don't say Merry Christmas ? Well, since the forum is pretty quiet, I thought I would stir the pot a little. |
Thanks for stirring the pot, Sudsy. This season of specific days set aside for special occasions, ie. remembering the birth of Jesus and starting a new year is for our ethnic roots changing and as varied as the day is long. I personally have not experienced any resistance to the use of the "Merry Christmas" greeting to even those who are not of a similar belief. In my opinion the topic is a time filler and diversion for media to stir up the population. If appropriate I have used the greeting "Christ-mas" just to see what the reaction will be. If I can muster the courage the next time I meet the right person, I may have a bottle of "holy water" to sprinkle on someone who looks needy and needs some encouragement. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2833 posts |
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Posted Jan 2, 2010; 2:46 pm |
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I found it interesting that Prime Minister Harper, in his Christmas address, wished everyone a 'Merry Christmas'. It would appear that his personal desire to retain this traditional wish overrode any thoughts of losing votes because of it. On the other hand, according to polls I have read, a majority of people still support the 'Merry Christmas' phrase and the next closest number is for 'it doesn't matter'. So, I guess we can't be sure of just when politicians are not really just being politicians.  |
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