What is the true meaning of Christmas?

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I grew up Catholic, and Christmas was a religious event first, a family event second, and a festive/commercial event third.

These days, the religious aspect is no longer applicable. It's thoroughly X-mas for me.
But I have an intense desire to be around family this year.
I think that as I am getting a little older, I'm coming to understand some of the truly important things in life, and I regret the fact that I'm so distant from most of my family.

And I still harbor some of the festive and commercial aspects... I love to decorate with lights and trees and garlands... and I enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Much as I am opposed to stupid pointless comsumerism, I find a way to buy meaningful things for the people I care about as some kind of physical manifestation of my feelings for them. I can listen to Christmas music and enjoy the nostalgia, even though the lyrics are meaningless to me. I find satisfaction through some of the more ancient pagan nature rituals that surround this time of year.

I think that the traditional trappings of the American interpretation of Christmas are still useful for people, regardless of their persuasion:

Family, giving, care and understanding. Music and decoration. I can relate to that, even though I'm not christian, and I think the whole santa thing is a crock.

What is the true meaning of Christmas to you??

The real purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the sun-god. This day was normally celebrated with such adultery and scandalous that it was outlawed, and 'reclaimed' as a Christian holiday by the Catholic Church.

True Meaning of Christmas

The winter solstice. That's the true meaning of most winter time holidays. Lunar calendar holidays are based on the lunar solstices.

These days it Consume

Vengence

pigging out with my family and puppy

Starting really big fires. It is a time for fertility rite offerings, to cause the Sun to return, the giver of life. After the fires burn out, living on uncooked food in the ashes, wearing your oldest clothes, and complaining a lot.

Then when the Sun starts coming back, cleaning up, throwing a big party, feasting for a month.

In all honesty, it's a way to brighten up the darkest days of winter. Some nuts decided to make it a religious thing... but in the end, it's just a way to end mass depression. Yes, I know some people are actually more depressed during the winter holidays, but it's hard to blame colorful lights and uplifting songs.

The true meaning of Christmas?

No one really knows when Jesus was born but the winter solstice represents the birth or rebirth of the sun god.

I am a "neo pagan" I don't really believe in anything but I do believe in certain things.

As "a people" we need things to celebrate to keep us together.

A spring festival (Easter) is a good idea as is Midsummer's day. (The American fourth of July?)

The American "Thanksgiving" is just a harvest festival.

"Halloween" or the day of the dead is another good idea.

It does not matter if these days are "true" or not.

We as mortals need stability and hope in our lives.

Well, according to my religion teacher, the meaning of Christmas is the fulfillment of God's promise that someone will save us and whosoever believe in that someone shall not perish but have an everlasting life. (John 3:16)

To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

To worship at the alter of the almighty God of Consumerism.

To keep children indoors with their families.
Every year at midnight on christmas day, aliens show themselves for around half an hour to continue peace talks with earth, and only children can see them without thermal imaging equipment.

'alter'?.. or maybe even an altar... not to worry...
It's the co-optation of Saturnalia by the Catholic Chursh, because it's easier to lead a horse to water if he's heading in that direction anyway...

I think truth is in the eyes of the subject. The memory print of any given moment plugged into a pattern in subjects mind so it will fit in to a category of their beliefs. All experiences become contextualized and woven into your core fibers. Thus truth is subjective.

Truth of Christmas seems to me awkward and way way to buisy.

I can admit it and not feel all scroodgy here on WP. I would love giving gifts if they were ever the right ones. I always notice a lack of enthusiasm when the tools that I buy our family are opened. I make myself laugh. I don't just buy them tools. but usually I do buy them some tools. They may not be exited on Christmas day but Ill bet they appreciate the quality of their new hammers when they hang their pictures after.