I Hate Santa! But What About the Real Meaning of Christmas?

!9# I Hate Santa! But What About the Real Meaning of Christmas?

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So the name speaks for itself, but before you get all mad at me let me explain...

I have long struggled with my feelings on Christmas. No need to go into the whys and all right now, but let's just say that though I have always felt the holiday had good meaning behind it, anymore it is nothing more than a commercialized joke. And a sick one, at that. Everyone just has to be out buying the biggest and best gifts. It used to be that people suffered from what they call "keeping up with the Jones'" (which means keep buying big stuff for yourself to keep up with what your neighbors are buying for themselves so you don't look bad). But at Christmas time, it's "keeping up with your family"- basicly, an all-out attempt to make sure your relatives don't outspend you on Christmas. Because after all, if they spend 0 on you because they can afford it, and you only spend , well then how does that make you look? Cheap? Well, that's what the retailers would want you to believe. So you end up spending yourself into debt that takes you all of next year to recover from.

Then there is Santa Claus. Let's first examine his minions- the guy at the mall with a santa suit on. Sure, he's there to make your kids happy. He's a stranger in a costume that makes them smile, gives them candy, lets them tell him what they want for Christmas. Just like other strangers want to do throughout the year... O.K., is it just me or does anyone else find that creepy? Does anyone actually know who these "santa" fellows are? Maybe it's just me, but some old guy in a costume that I have never met before, he wants to give my kid candy while sitting in his lap... and I'm supposed to smile and pay for a photo of this? Any other time of year, and the guy would be arrested as a child predator, but hey, it's Christmas time so it's o.k.?!? And I say this while noting especially here in Boise, at the Boise Towne Square Mall, they put santa freak right next to the Victoria's Secret store- so santa's staring at you know what all day while passing out candy to the wee little ones. Can you say Mary Christmas?

Then there is Santa himself. The whole legend of some fat guy in a "magical" sleigh flying through the air pulled by eight tiny reindeer that most likely all combined weigh less than Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Seriously, as many cookies as this guy supposedly eats, he would be the Biggest Loser's worst nightmare! It amazes me that he can make it to one house, let alone get out of bed! Obviously, from the weight of Santa alone we know that this story is a farce, yet we are supposed to treat him like a holy icon. Everywhere you go, it's Santa this and Santa that. God forbid if stores actually say "Merry Christmas", but it's o.k. if santa's hanging from every rafter in the building because after all, he's the real meaning of the "holiday"- you know, the spirit of gimme gimme gimme cause I deserve it!

It used to depress me what they have turned Christmas into. I would always look at this month with an attitude of doom and gloom. Yes, I knew it was all garbage, that this is not what Christmas is supposed to be. But it depressed me none the less.

However, this year was different. I was reminded again by a couple of people(my wife being one of them) that it shouldn't matter what other people do or think. If they want to continue being miserable in their materialistic celebration of paganism, so be it. Rather, I should focus on something else; o.k., 2 something elses. First off, my family. I only get my kids for a certain amount of time. Then they grow old and move away. I really don't want their memories of Christmas being the time when dad is irritable, cranky, depressed no matter what. I want them to have good memories of it too. No, this does not mean I am going broke trying to get them that all-elusive 0 toy that they "can't" live without- instead, we are working to build memories- events and traditions that they will remember longer than two days after Christmas(when the "new toy effect" wears off). Something that will be more meaningful than anything this world and all the manufacturers together have to offer.

Secondly, and most importantly, I will be focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. Not the gimme gimme gimme routine that we get shoved down our throat each year. Rather, the baby in the manger. The gift of hope. The gift of faith. The gift of true love, as the only begotten Son of God was born to a virgin on that one fateful night so long ago. A gift- like no other gift. A gift from God Himself- a Redeemer from our sins so that we might have fellowship with the Creator of the universe. A gift of love to us- a gift that paved the way to the cross, to our salvation. For you see, without Christmas, there would be no Easter. Without the birth of our saviour, there would be no death of our Saviour as a ransom for our sins. Without the birth of the Saviour there would have been no resurrection of Him to give us hope in the life hereafter... We would be lost without hope if not for one beautiful glorious night when angels appeared to lowly shepherds declaring that "born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

So you see, this should be a time of celebration! A time when we thank God for what He has given us- our families, and the gift of salvation. So to those who would go about trying to keep up with Santa, trying to outspend everyone, only to end up unfulfilled and deep in debt come January, I say this: there is a better way to celebrate this year. To the retailers with their old man in his fuzzy red suit I say, keep your Santa; I'll stick with the baby in the manger. And to any and all who might read this, I say- I hope and pray that your Christmas will be a very merry time of year- that you will discover the true meaning of it, the true hope that it holds for us- and that you will cherish the memories and the traditions you have with your family in celebrating today; for our time here with our families is but a small time. Don't waste it. And to my Saviour, Jesus Christ who was born this night in Bethlehem, with a manger for His bed, I say, thank you for Faith, Hope, Love- thank you for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all, and may God bless you and your families!

I Hate Santa! But What About the Real Meaning of Christmas?

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Family Christmas Traditions from Germany

!9# Family Christmas Traditions from Germany

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German legend says that on Christmas Eve all the rivers turn to wine, animals speak to each other and for the people who carry the fruit trees, the church bells ringing from the sea, and gems flowing from the mountains. Is it any wonder, then, that the family celebrate Christmas traditions in Germany, bold, beautiful and full? When Christmas or Christmas as the Germans call it, rolls around in Germany, there are many beautiful decorations, delicious food and traditional stories toBrightness of the season.

The first part of December is traditionally reserved for solemn religious reflection. In recent years, this quiet period that lasted until Christmas, until. This time included a focus on reconnecting with your religion through reflection and fasting. Modern German form, but use a slightly shorter time, but the idea of ​​focusing on religious aspects of the season ..

The four weeks before Christmas (usuallyAre starting shortly before the December 1, four Sundays before Christmas) is the season of Advent or Christmas. Many German families include a crane or Advent wreath. It is a crown of leaves with five candles, usually with four purple candles and one white. On each Sunday of Advent, one of the purple candles is lit. The white candle is traditionally lit around midnight on Christmas Eve to signal the birth of the Christ child. Many families also have an advent calendar foreach child. There is a door on the calendar for each day from a Dec. 25, and behind each door the child to find a small chocolate or toy. Many families open their doors just before bedtime so the kids something to dream about in anticipation of the arrival of Christmas.

Children in Germany tend to both of St. Nicholas and the Baby Jesus to honor their traditions. Families on 6 December to celebrate the birthday of St. Nicholas', to their shoes by the fireplace. TheThe children hope that St. Nicholas will stop her behavior during the year as a pretty good bite of fruit, nuts, chocolate and almond paste instead of coal and twigs his partner Knecht Ruprecht makes naughty children to justify. Today, many modern German use a decorative element, like a wooden sleigh or shoe in place of real shoes, waiting for the arrival of St. Nicholas. After S. Nicholas has come and gone, the children write letters to the Christmas and Baby JesusBoy, their bill in his hometown of heaven.

According to many accounts, was the Christmas tree that has become traditional in many parts of the world in Germany. Known as the Christmas tree in the German tradition, the Christmas tree is a live fir or pine, with candles, marzipan, beautifully wrapped chocolates, hand-blown ornaments and tinsel decorated. Tradition has it that the children of the family is not allowed to see the Christmas tree topRinging in the Christmas night of Christmas Eve. Many families now keep the Christmas tree in a confined space for that purpose, while others put their trees on Christmas Eve evening preference.

On Christmas Eve, the German family traditionally starts the evening with a worship service in their church. When they return, ring the bell signaling a member of the family Christmas, the beginning of the Christmas party. The family then goes to the tree to open Christmas gifts. ThisTradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve is different from many other Western countries, but remains true to this day. Different parts of Germany believe differently about who brings presents. In the northern part of the country, families traditionally believe that Santa Claus or Christmas Man brings their gifts. In the southern part of the country, but that brings the Christmas gifts that everyone will enjoy.

Then comes the Christmas party. Several families participate inThis festival at different times, may take place before the disaster, after the presents, or even after the midnight mass service on Christmas. Regardless, the feast traditionally consists of roast goose or carp and lots of goodies. Some side dishes Christmas cake that has a loaf of bread stuffed with nuts and marzipan fruits, gingerbread and honey cake, marzipan fruits themselves and galleries, a fruit full of bread. The festival is usually complete with plates of biscuitsto bring chocolates and a proper end to the celebration.

Christmas was spent with family and friends and usually includes time for religious activities. The holiday season is traditionally the end, but on the 6th January. This day was traditionally used to celebrate the birth of Christ, and is still regarded as the feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings. This day celebrates the three wise men and wrote their initials in chalk on the yearThe doors of German homes to families throughout the year to protect as well.

Germany is the source of many Western Christmas traditions. While retaining their complexity, the Germans have their own traditions around the world for wonderful ideas and can share how to start your own family Christmas traditions into account. Maybe this year, may your family in the celebration of Christmas with a calendar full of beautiful chocolate participate, or decorate your tree withGingerbread and biscuits. Take your traditions and your family to remember your Christmas party for years to come.

Family Christmas Traditions from Germany

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