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    United States Avalon Member Providence's Avatar
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    Default Struggling with Christmas

    I have been struggling with the concept of Christmas for many weeks now, and I sat down this morning and started to write, which is how I process things, clarify my thoughts.

    I decided that I it might be a good thing to share my thoughts with my PA family...

    Quote What is Christmas

    The most accepted definition of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, at least in our culture. I’m not sure anymore about this annual celebration, about the real purpose, or what has become the accepted norm for this holiday.
    Becoming aware of what is really going on in the world has changed my perspective so drastically that it is no longer within the realm of my reality, my being, to participate, perpetuate, the generally accepted view of this event as a holiday.
    It is difficult because our kids, grandchildren, all have a certain expectation at Christmas. I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing for them to believe as they do, they have their own lives to live, lessons to learn, at their level of enlightenment. But I feel uneasy about perpetuating what has become the focus of this celebration.
    If Jesus Christ was a real person, walked on this earth, healed the sick, raised the dead, all in an effort to bring humanity to a higher understanding of what it means to be a ‘child of God’, I think he would be appalled to see how his teachings have been so misconstrued and misinterpreted.
    The first responses I get from others when I mention that Christmas is just not the same is, oh yeah, it has become so crass and commercialized, but you just have to look past that and make it what you want it to be. Easier said than done.
    Christmas has lost all it’s magic, because it is no longer an acceptable premise. Christmas, what is Christmas? What should Christmas be? Should there even be a Christmas celebration? If your reality exists in a Christian based religious world, then the answer is clear. If you have gravitated away from the confines of a Christian-based religion, the answers become increasingly muddled and much more difficult to define. If the story of Jesus Christ were totally true, factual, does it really support the ideal of this Christmas celebration as we know it today?
    I even question myself as to why I capitalize the word Christmas, or even use the word in the same way as I have in the past, should I even be accepting it as a real event, holiday? Do I soften my perspective in order to keep the peace with family, to walk with them in this point in their journey?
    I guess the most obvious solution to my dilemma is to simply be myself, act upon my present understanding, but in reality this is very difficult, especially with family. I have lost a lot of family contact due to adherence to my personal principles and beliefs. Guilt used to keep my in line with the norms for society, but I no longer have much tolerance for any form of guilt in my life.
    I would feel much better about the whole Christmas thing if my perspective were to be understood and respected as a part of my reality. I wish I could express my feelings in the most eloquent words, poetry that reveals my innermost heart, and have the understanding and support of those who feel differently, but from past experience, that is not how it plays out.
    It’s a very difficult time right now. I look at the world around me and I have such hope and joy over what could be, and right now anyway, the ideas surrounding this annual Christmas celebration seem to warp that reality into something that is somewhat unacceptable to me at this point in my life.
    The struggle continues...

    Peace,
    Providence

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I think we all feel in some way the same as you my friend, how can I enjoy something that takes so much, money, time, and effort to enjoy something that should come naturally. indeed the only time like it seems i get to enjoy it is when the dust has settled and i spend time with the kids. Like church, to me I only get out of it so much before I start looking elsewhere for truth.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Great write, you encapsulate a lot with this. The search for Greater Truth, the inner conflict between living according to the Truth you find and the truth of those around you, the conflict between self and society, self and family and self and Self.

    I understand all of the problems with Christmas. But I accept things as they are. I accept people as they are. If someone asks, I'll share what I think I know about the holiday, about Jesus. But I'll sing the songs, because I know them all, I'll go to the parties, I'll say "Merry Christmas" to everyone because I accept the world as it is. I really believe that the change we need to make in the world is the change we need to make in ourselves, first. Doing so does not necessarily mean going out and haranguing family and friends about the holiday. Finding peace within self automatically results in an emanation of that peace without, into your surroundings and those you interact with.

    It's the winter solistice, at least. A powerful time of the year. A time that has been celebrated in all cultures, regardless of any kind of particular form of god or divinity. In that sense alone, it is a time worthy of celebration. Because we are within this culture, this is one of the forms of celebration, alongside Hanukkah, Kwanza and others, that is acceptable. I think as long as family respects who you are and what you believe then the same can be done with and for them.

    I'm just going to relax and enjoy the Now with those I love and who love me. The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so, delightful ... y'all know the rest.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Hello Providence: Thanks for the eloquent take on the new christmas! For many years I have hated the commercialism so much about christmas that I would leave north america and travel since all that was left to the magic time of christmas was the presents. To have people actually say to me " this is not what I wanted! I wanted........I don't even want this"
    How we as a people have lost our sense of value. All that seems to be left is how much the gift cost and showing it off.
    Providence you are not alone in you thinking! As you continue on your quest for truth you will find that most of our history has been skewed. We were lied to for whatever reason and I do know that it's hard to find the truth due to the propaganda. It takes a life time of searching down the roads to get the truth. Usually the truth is not what we have been told. Best we can do is enjoy giving toys to the kids and smiling about seeing them have fun with them for a few minutes before they want something else....
    We know what's right and can only hope others will find out too.
    Merry Christmas!! May you have a Christmas that meets your expectations!
    chancy

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    United States Avalon Member Providence's Avatar
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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Quote Posted by Rahkyt (here)
    Great write, you encapsulate a lot with this. The search for Greater Truth, the inner conflict between living according to the Truth you find and the truth of those around you, the conflict between self and society, self and family and self and Self.

    I understand all of the problems with Christmas. But I accept things as they are. I accept people as they are. If someone asks, I'll share what I think I know about the holiday, about Jesus. But I'll sing the songs, because I know them all, I'll go to the parties, I'll say "Merry Christmas" to everyone because I accept the world as it is. I really believe that the change we need to make in the world is the change we need to make in ourselves, first. Doing so does not necessarily mean going out and haranguing family and friends about the holiday. Finding peace within self automatically results in an emanation of that peace without, into your surroundings and those you interact with.

    It's the winter solistice, at least. A powerful time of the year. A time that has been celebrated in all cultures, regardless of any kind of particular form of god or divinity. In that sense alone, it is a time worthy of celebration. Because we are within this culture, this is one of the forms of celebration, alongside Hanukkah, Kwanza and others, that is acceptable. I think as long as family respects who you are and what you believe then the same can be done with and for them.

    I'm just going to relax and enjoy the Now with those I love and who love me. The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so, delightful ... y'all know the rest.
    Excellent perspective Rahkyt, much appreciated.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    What an excedingly eloquent elocution Providence!

    I feel similarly disgruntled with the deviation that christmas has taken from its' inception as a concept (whether founded in truth or not.......)

    As a spiritualist with a celtic/pagan leaning, I still pine after our pillaged festivals, not least of which is Yule. It is indeed a predicament to harbour absolutely no belief in a religious practice, smile and pollute your own childrens' brain with a capitalist fiction frenzy. It makes me feel hypocritical. My older son (12) knows the drill, but I haven't got the heart to ruin the illusion for my 6 year old. Life will beat that out of him organicly in time.
    Last edited by 777; 19th December 2011 at 17:03. Reason: typo

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Quote Posted by 777 (here)
    What an excedingly eloquent elocution Providence!

    I feel similarly disgruntled with the deviation that christmas has taken from its' inception as a concept (whether founded in truth or not.......)

    As a spiritualist with a celtic/pagan leaning, I still pine after our pillaged festivals, not least of which is Yule. It is indeed a predicament to harbour absolutely no belief in a religious practice, smile and pollute your own childrens' brain with a capitalist fiction frenzy. It makes me feel hypocritical. My older son (12) knows the drill, but I haven't got the heart to ruin the illusion for my 6 year old. Life will beat that put of him organicly in time.
    Thank you 777,
    Hopefully, our children and grandchildren will form a very different perspective in the years to come as consciousness continues to grow.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I have ignored Christmas for many years now and only had a Christmas tree with lots of gifts when my children were young....because it was fun for them. My husband and I both rarely remember most holidays, birthdays or anniversaries simply because we don't place importance on them. A few days ago it was our 16th anniversary and we forgot until late in the day and then we laughed, had a few extra mushy kisses and marveled at how lucky we were to finally find someone who could tolerate us by our 4th marriage (both of us had 3 previous marriages) and how we were able to be happily together for so long without killing each other.

    If people are truly inspired by the life story of Christ, whether real or embellished, and want to celebrate his birth in any way they choose to...that's good. Many people enjoy the holidays and more power to them. We don't care at all about them so we now do the minimum which is sending gifts to children and grandchildren because we love them and THEY like Christmas. To each his own. I don't need anyone else to agree with me and never let anyone pressure me into enjoying holidays I don't care about. I also like the idea of resisting the incredible media brain washing and societal/peer pressure that expects one to conform to the norm.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Quote Posted by Providence (here)
    Quote Posted by 777 (here)
    What an excedingly eloquent elocution Providence!

    I feel similarly disgruntled with the deviation that christmas has taken from its' inception as a concept (whether founded in truth or not.......)

    As a spiritualist with a celtic/pagan leaning, I still pine after our pillaged festivals, not least of which is Yule. It is indeed a predicament to harbour absolutely no belief in a religious practice, smile and pollute your own childrens' brain with a capitalist fiction frenzy. It makes me feel hypocritical. My older son (12) knows the drill, but I haven't got the heart to ruin the illusion for my 6 year old. Life will beat that put of him organicly in time.
    Thank you 777,
    Hopefully, our children and grandchildren will form a very different perspective in the years to come as consciousness continues to grow.
    I have absolute faith in that statement sir.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I think if Jesus saw what was happening to celebrate his birthday he would be shocked. I can hear Him say "Why only one day a year. why not every day?"

    Stan
    If you don't follow your spirit without hesitation, you end up following your hesitation without spirit.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Thanks to all who have written and especially the OP , it is exactly how my husband and I are feeling. We had friends over last night and we have the tree up and the Nativity scene set up under the tree.....my 21 year old who usually loves the job of doing that this year said ' NO thanks, down with that sort of thing" As we sat with friends who are also awakening and were also raised with the traditional catholic christmas we were questioning why we are even doing it at all.....I feel the same as the OP that this is a story we have been sold as part of the religious control system but then again I love the lights and the music and all the christmas shows........but as I stated in another post somewhere I am really finding it hard to get into it this year.......I will do the presents for my kids who are now in their 20's and totally awake as well so I think the coming years will see things start to slide that we once felt were so ultra important.......all that stress was really counter to what the season was meant to be. As my daughters favourite mini pops christmas album sings "why can't we love each other all year round" ......that is the goal, to keep the spirit alive all year ........Merry Merry to all

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Thank You for sharing openly, Providence...I feel many of Us here have much the same misgivings...the holiday was created as a distortion and deception.

    The Winter Solstice is a beautiful energy and time of the year...that We can enjoy each in Our Own Ways!

    I simply look at christmas get-togethers as a time to re-kindle love with my family in the now...that is my own personal rhythm by choice.

    Thanks again...and All Others that have shared here.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Quote Posted by eaglespirit (here)
    Thank You for sharing openly, Providence...I feel many of Us here have much the same misgivings...the holiday was created as a distortion and deception.

    The Winter Solstice is a beautiful energy and time of the year...that We can enjoy each in Our Own Ways!

    I simply look at christmas get-togethers as a time to re-kindle love with my family in the now...that is my own personal rhythm by choice.

    Thanks again...and All Others that have shared here.
    Thank you eaglespirit! It would be much easier for me if all I had to do was to attend the family celebration, but since the loss of my parents a few years back, the torch has been passed to me to carry on the traditions of the past so I struggle...

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    The Romans celebrated Mithras' birthday and the Feast of Saturnalia during the winter solstice. They were pagans. In the year 350 the pope, in an attempt to convert pagans to what would become the Catholic brand of Christianity, declared it to be Jesus' birthday.

    The perpetuated lie of Christmas, Is one of the most sicking lies that has ever been told. Even if you buy the premise that Jesus was born on
    December 25 ( Which he was most certainly not! ) Lets look at the Christmas holiday. Parents all over the world lie to their children telling
    them about the fictitious character Santa Clause!( We start out lying to them!) And yet we want honesty from them.

    Millions of families rack up thousands of dollars of debt each year (which they cant afford!) celebrating Christmas.( Which causes a host of many other problems.)
    A fight broke out at my local Walmart this year during the Black Friday sale.(One of the combatants was stabbed!)
    And that was only one incident during these sales, this year. I could go on and on. IMO God Plays no part in the celebration we call Christmas!
    No disrespect to the op, I have had this rant on my mind for a while.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Quote Posted by jagman (here)
    The Romans celebrated Mithras' birthday and the Feast of Saturnalia during the winter solstice. They were pagans. In the year 350 the pope, in an attempt to convert pagans to what would become the Catholic brand of Christianity, declared it to be Jesus' birthday.

    The perpetuated lie of Christmas, Is one of the most sicking lies that has ever been told. Even if you buy the premise that Jesus was born on
    December 25 ( Which he was most certainly not! ) Lets look at the Christmas holiday. Parents all over the world lie to their children telling
    them about the fictitious character Santa Clause!( We start out lying to them!) And yet we want honesty from them.

    Millions of families rack up thousands of dollars of debt each year (which they cant afford!) celebrating Christmas.( Which causes a host of many other problems.)
    A fight broke out at my local Walmart this year during the Black Friday sale.(One of the combatants was stabbed!)
    And that was only one incident during these sales, this year. I could go on and on. IMO God Plays no part in the celebration we call Christmas!
    No disrespect to the op, I have had this rant on my mind for a while.
    None taken jagman, I totally understand your viewpoint and I share your thoughts as well, thanks for sharing!

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I have felt for a while now that Christmas (among other holidays), has been over-commercialized by design, so people spend money (that they don't have), that they could be saving. If you have children, it is very difficult to not go along with the traditions. That said, we almost have our kids agreeing to maybe travel, instead of presents in the coming years. If it's Jesus Birthday, we could be gifting him by taking care of our precious planet, and feeding the hungry.

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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I don't have a problem with everyone deciding to have a celebration. What people decide to believe is their choice IMO.

    I don't see this celebration in the darkest time of the year (well, for the Northern hemisphere anyway) to be a problem. I decided long ago to call it the 'festival of lights' because so much that goes on involves decorating with tiny sparkly lights or candles.

    I know the history of the celebration. But history is not here now. The festival of lights is here.

    I like this festival because it allows me to give presents to my neighbors that they feel OK accepting. So, I can 'love on them a little bit' without making them uncomfortable. In my own home I don't decorate ... except to display any Holiday cards I get on my wall for a while, but I love looking at the decorations others do.

    Last night I made some spicy hot chocolate and went on a drive for about 2 hours (I only drive my car about 2-3 times monthly so this is a fun extravagance). I was looking at all the decorations people had set up to celebrate the dark time of the year with lights. It was wonderful seeing how people had spent time being creative... for no real reason... just to create beauty.

    lf you Lighten up a bit about the beliefs of others, you can enjoy the beauty of the human spirit! It is all good.

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    United States Avalon Member conk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    I've read that we have Mark Twain to thank for all the Christmas hooey. In his time Easter was much bigger than Christmas. After soaring sales of his Christmas Carol story, the celebrations took off like mad. Add the religious fervor, marketing/advertising, and the materialism, and we have what we have today.

    Edit: Dickens, not Twain. Doh!
    Last edited by conk; 19th December 2011 at 19:54.

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    Avalon Member Jay's Avatar
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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Thank you for sharing Providence - it's good to not feel alone in this struggle. BTW I have it every year & wish I could hibernate like a bear (October until after the dreaded event would be preferred in any weather )

    Phrygian cap ..
    Last edited by Jay; 19th December 2011 at 19:10. Reason: PS: Well said Jagman - note the Mithras/Phrygian cap ..

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    Avalon Member HORIZONS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Struggling with Christmas

    Just a thought: The bottom line for many retailers is that without the Christmas sales they would not make it another year. Many P & L's depend on Christmas sales to keep them in the black - this is one reason why the commercialism is so "in your face" like it is - without these $$$ many businesses would just not make it and go under, and we would all feel that.

    I understand yours and the other posters feelings on this subject as I have dealt with this issue many times before - but I have learned to let it all go - I do what I can to bless others without going into debt - and hope for a better future for us all. Although I fully agree that Jesus was not born on 12/25 the important thing at the birth of the Christ is what the Angels said: Glory to God in the highest - Peace on earth - Goodwill towards all mankind. That is the Christmas spirit to me.
    ~ If nothing changes then nothing changes ~

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