Is Christmas a Christian (or Catholic) Holiday?

[Stann]

I have no problem with Christmas whatsoever...
It is one of my favorite holidays. I celebrate it hard....I give away thousands of cookies and homemade gourmet chocolate truffles every year....I also make blank gingerbread houses for kids to decorate.

I talk freely about Jesus' birthday and even sing the birthday song to him.

So I'm not exactly sure what you are talking about.

You do understand that Jesus wasn't born on December 25th. When Christianity became the state religion, Jesus Christ replaced the king of the gods Saturn. Who was celebrated on December 25th. Historians of basically proven Jesus was born in the fall, primarily because the flocks of sheep were still in the fields. Long before December sheep were gathered up and corraled.

 

[zaangalewa]

Nice music. Hope for the hopeless. How do people allow themselves to become so hopeless and gullible.

Also in every darkness and hopelessness god is with us. The problem are the dark eyes. I was lucky: Once I had been for some hours the most happy man in the world and I saw a world full of light. Out of every face came light - out of the church tower came light - even out of a crumbled cola can in the gutter channel came light. So when I light a candle in Advent now - today is the second sunday in advent 2021 - then I "know" what this light is.

 

[Clyde 154]

Christ's (Mass) the very title denotes its origins.

 

[SweetSue92]

I repeat my Christmas message for Americans of all types.

In the U.S. we celebrate two unrelated feasts on the same day. One of them, called Christmas, is a religious holy day when Christians celebrate the Nativity - the assumption of human form by God, facilitating the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of the human race. We celebrate the holy day with congregational prayer, family prayer, images of an infant in a stable...you know the drill.

The second feast is called, "Christmas." It is a secular holiday celebrating - more or less - the Winter Solstice, when the days starting getting longer marking the coming of spring. It is celebrated by decorating a tree, exchanging gifts, and that whole drill.

We are all free to celebrate both, either, or neither of these feasts. When someone wishes you a "Merry Christmas," they are usually referring to the secular holiday, and there is no intention to proselytize any religion or insult those who don't celebrate the religious feast.

Deal with it.

Old Man Yells at Clouds thinks he gets to tell us how to celebrate our holidays.

Go find some six year olds at bus stops to irritate you.

 

[Stann]

Also in every darkness and hopelessness god is with us. The problem are the dark eyes. I was lucky: Once I had been for some hours the most happy man in the world and I saw a world full of light. Out of every face came light - out of the church tower came light - even out of a crumbled cola can in the gutter channel came light. So when I light a candle in Advent now - today is the second sunday in advent 2021 - then I "know" what this light is.

The light you speak of is natural, as everything is of GOD. Religious gods are not natural, they are of man's imagination.

 

[BS Filter]

Don't have to deal with it, appreciate it, to which I reply, " Happy holidays ! " Which compliments all, and offends none.

Wrong. The term "happy holidays" offends me and many others. Now what?

 

[Stann]

Wrong. The term "happy holidays" offends me and many others. Now what?

Happy holidays is generic, sorry if that offends you, you've got the problem not me.

 

[BS Filter]

Happy holidays is generic, sorry if that offends you, you've got the problem not me.

Exactly, that's the point. Who cares who is offended. Merry Christmas.

 

[Stann]

Exactly, that's the point. Who cares who is offended. Merry Christmas.

Wrong, Merry Christmas is not generic. Your response was not logical, but emotional, you have a definite problem.
We are a nation of many people Christians are the only ones in our country so if you're talking to someone you don't know it's best to say happy holidays a lot more people are non-Christian then you think. Besides Christians there are Jews Muslims Hindus Wiccans and more and more non-believers.

 

[BS Filter]

Wrong, Merry Christmas is not generic. Your response was not logical, but emotional, you have a definite problem.
We are a nation of many people Christians are the only ones in our country so if you're talking to someone you don't know it's best to say happy holidays a lot more people are non-Christian then you think. Besides Christians there are Jews Muslims Hindus Wiccans and more and more non-believers.

I don't care and many others don't care. You just said that you say "happy holidays" to not offend people, but when told it does offend people, you say "that's their problem". You really can't see your hypocrisy?

 

[Stann]

I don't care and many others don't care. You just said that you say "happy holidays" to not offend people, but when told it does offend people, you say "that's their problem". You really can't see your hypocrisy?

I cannot cater to you because of your bigotry that would make me a bigot and I am not a hypocrite like you are.

 

[BS Filter]

I cannot cater to you because of your bigotry that would make me a bigot and I am not a hypocrite like you are.

LOL. Blinded by your politically correct hypocrisy. Thanks for proving my point.

 

[Stann]

Exactly, that's the point. Who cares who is offended. Merry Christmas.

You seem to forget what Christmas Even means it's caring about all people not just yourself I don't believe you're a Christian at all

 

[BS Filter]

You seem to forget what Christmas Even means it's caring about all people not just yourself I don't believe you're a Christian at all

You're not the judge. You believe whatever you want. You're just butthurt that your hypocrisy was exposed. Have a good day.

 

[DudleySmith]

I find this piece interesting and tellworthy, because nowadays many denie the christian roots of Christmas they just equal it with ancient pagan roots, and consumerism. They want to erase the Christ out of Christmas. Many just say "But Christmas is pagan not Christian."

Read Catholic Roots of Christmas


Catholic Roots of Christmas
December 19, 2020
Christmas honors the pivotal day which altered all of history. Christians around the world celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Christ Jesus. On this day, God Incarnate departed the hidden tabernacle of Mary’s womb into the blissful embrace of His mother’s arms. And she, in turn, presented this unblemished child, this Divine Gift, to all the world that we might adore Him as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

As with any child’s arrival, there are many preparations to be made before welcoming the new family member; an expecting family gathers bathing items, blankets, and a collection of cozy outfits. Faithful members of the Catholic Christian family prepare for Christ’s coming by observing the season of Advent.

Advent is a time of joyful anticipation in which the faithful prepare their hearts for the most special arrival of the Divine Infant. Formally introduced by the Council of Tours in 567 AD, the Advent season begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. This period provides a precursor to the special holy day when the Light of the World shines amidst the darkness, the Sign of Hope dispels all despair.

One Catholic tradition orienting believers toward Christ’s coming is the Nativity Scene. This practice harkens back to Medieval times when in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi directed a live nativity scene as a form of public remembrance honoring Christ’s birth. St. Francis wanted to bring the Gospels to life, assigning parts for Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others so that in witnessing this reenactment, all people would learn the extraordinary story of God’s love for mankind. Often the nativity creche remains empty until Christmas Eve as a reminder that the faithful eagerly await the Christ child. And when the Divine Infant arrives, how much greater is the joy during the Christmas vigil when Baby Jesus joins the Holy Family and all humanity!

When the faithful prepare their hearts properly, the blessings of Christmas may be appreciated in full. “We Christians are called to safeguard and spread the joy of waiting,” Pope Francis declared in a Vatican address. Additionally, much as the faithful await Christ’s birth in remembrance of the first Christmas, the Catholic liturgical readings point the faithful toward awaiting Christ’s ultimate return upon Judgement Day.

According to Catholic tradition, the rejoicing of Christ’s coming lasts considerably longer than one great day. Rather, it stretches from the Christmas vigil Mass until the Feast of the Epiphany, sometimes called Three Kings’ Day.

Why did the Church choose to celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25? The most direct answer is that according to the Roman calendar, this day marked the winter solstice. Saint Augustine explained the significance of this day in remembering Christ’s coming, writing, “on the day which is the shortest in our earthly reckoning and from which subsequent days begin to increase in length. He, therefore, who bent low and lifted us up chose the shortest day, yet the one whence light begins to increase.”

The most excellent Catholic tradition of celebrating Christmas as a family is attending Holy Mass together. Even young adults who may have strayed from observing other tenets of their Catholic faith will often return to Mass with their families in order to observe the sacred Feast of the Nativity.

Christmas is a rare time when the Mass readings differ according to the order in which the Mass is offered. There are four distinct Christmas Masses. The Vigil Mass is offered at the start of Christmas Eve. The Mass of the angels is a popular celebration, offered at midnight. The Dawn Mass is called the Mass of the Shepherds; it is offered early morning. Finally, on Christmas Day, the priest offers the Mass of the Divine Word.

The Christmas octave is punctuated with a feast that originally honored Christ’s circumcision. In present times, the Catholic Church commemorates the first day of the year as the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. This holy day respects Mary’s unique human privilege of forming Christ physically and spiritually before releasing Him into the world to fulfill His divine salvific work.

The end of the Christmas season points toward this extraordinary mission for which God entered the world. According to Catholic tradition, the Magi, called the Three Kings, spent 12 days following a star. The brilliant star led them to Bethlehem, where Jesus had just been born. The Wise Men—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar—presented three symbolic gifts to the Holy Family for their newborn son. The kings presented to the Divine Child gold to honor His kingship, frankincense to honor His priesthood, and myrrh to honor His humanity.

Many families around the world present gifts to one another either in celebration of Christmas Day or in commemoration of the Three Kings. The faithful fulfill the Christmas spirit when offering their own hearts to the Divine Messiah who humbled Himself to enter the world as a small child.

Article written by Myriah C. Boudreaux for Christian Catholic Media

Myriah C. Boudreaux graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a BA in Psychology. Soon after, she left her native Southern California home to marry a FUS alumnus, start a family, settle in Bayou Country with her Cajun husband, and begin a career homeschooling their ever-growing family. With seven children ranging from ages 21 – 2, her practical understanding of Heavenly Father's patience, love, and mercy is continually expanding.

It's a Christian holiday. Since nobody knew when his birthday actually was, they didn't see anything wrong with setting the day of celebration on a the same day as a pagan one, so no problem. All the gimpy sniveling that is supposed to be some big 'revelation' to assorted halfwits and deviants is what is irrelevant. Try as they might, they can't legitimatize their closet paganism and lust for human sacrifices so we still get these silly attempts by tards to attack Xians.

 

[DudleySmith]

The way I figure it, its a Catholic holiday and other Christians picked it up. It use to be all Christians were Catholic and they broke away and called themselves Protestants.

lol rubbish. There never was a time when 'all Christians were Catholic', not ever.

 

[Stann]

lol rubbish. There never was a time when 'all Christians were Catholic', not ever.

You are correct, two of the first Christian groups or the Coptic Christians in Egypt and the Orthodox Christians in Turkey.

 

[Stann]

You're not the judge. You believe whatever you want. You're just butthurt that your hypocrisy was exposed. Have a good day.

That's correct I am not the judge but from what you said you have judged others over and over and over and why do you think God your your God he's depending if he's all-powerful. You are the one who is inflicting pain and suffering because you're of your intolerance the main thing Christ preached was loved thy neighbor and not judge them and you keep doing this that's why I said I don't think you're a Christian you don't act like a Christian I've ever heard of

 

[BS Filter]

That's correct I am not the judge but from what you said you have judged others over and over and over and why do you think God your your God he's depending if he's all-powerful. You are the one who is inflicting pain and suffering because you're of your intolerance the main thing Christ preached was loved thy neighbor and not judge them and you keep doing this that's why I said I don't think you're a Christian you don't act like a Christian I've ever heard of

You're inflicting pain and suffering on me by not acknowledging Christmas. What about offending me? Why are you so mean and hurting to Christians? There are many movies on TV and specials saying "Christmas". Are we supposed to demand that they stop showing them because some backwards hateful murderous goat fucking muslim is offended?

 

[Stann]

You're inflicting pain and suffering on me by not acknowledging Christmas. What about offending me? Why are you so mean and hurting to Christians? There are many movies on TV and specials saying "Christmas". Are we supposed to demand that they stop showing them because some backwards hateful murderous goat fucking muslim is offended?

I enjoy Christmas movies, and since you say you're a Christian I wish you a Merry Christmas it's no sweat off my back but your attitude is very unchristian like. Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards all men, all people. Jesus did not make any exceptions. If a person that does not know you wishes you happy holidays they do it with the best intentions they do not do it to try to hurt you.