It really saddens me........

GulfBreezer · #1 Postby **GulfBreezer** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:08 am

It hurts my heart this time of year to hear things like "I sure will be glad when Christmas is over" "I hate this time of year" and it seems like I hear this things all too often these days. What happened to Christmas Magic? The true meaning of Christmas? Commercializing Christmas has become so heart-breaking to me. Growing up, we never did anything super special for Christmas but I do remember it being more about family and Jesus than it is now. The saddest thing to me is that I find myself getting caught up in all the craziness, hearing words come out of my mouth just like the ones that hurt to hear others say. What can we do to get back to the real meaning of Christmas? What are some of the things that you do this time of year to remind you of what we are REALLY celebrating? Special family traditions? Let's take a moment to share what is important about Christmas and what it means..........
Thanks for listening......
Sandi

Lindaloo · #2 Postby **Lindaloo** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:12 am

So true Sandi!! People have forgotten the real meaning of CHRIST-mas.

#3 Postby **cycloneye** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:15 am

Yes agree with both of you about this because the meaning of christmas is the birth of Jesus at Belen but all that we see is all the malls full buying,buying and more buyng,drinking many times rum and beer and less celebrations on what it is the real theme of this time.

GalvestonDuck · #4 Postby **GalvestonDuck** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:25 am

So true. And then they get mad because we're "shoving religion down their throats." Pfffft! What do you expect out of a religious holiday but the observance of it's true meaning?

Buncha sorry grinches is all they are!

#5 Postby **Stephanie** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:14 pm

It is so very sad. You get caught up in the things you're "supposed to do" (says who? :roll:

) and the stress that is created is terrible. It's supposed to be a celebration of a life that was born - celebrations should be joyous. That's one of the reasons why I love to watch the various Christmas shows because AT LEAST the meaning of Christmas is still told and remembered.

JCT777 · #6 Postby **JCT777** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:17 pm

I love the Christmas season, and a lot of it has to do with my childhood memories of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was truly the one time of year when there were almost no negative emotions within my family. Attending the church service on Christmas Eve was wonderful, and I can still hear the choir's amazing rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High". Even when things get crazy this time of the year (and they most certainly do), I always think back to my childhood. And all of the craziness goes away.

Happy holidays to everyone.

weatherluvr · #7 Postby **weatherluvr** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 12:25 pm

The way the retail market is these days, the holiday season is the "bread and butter" of a lot of businesses. A few years ago I managed a dollar store, and I can tell you that your life basically stops until Christmas. 100+ hour work weeks, working all hours of the day and night... it's little wonder some people have the attitudes that they do, sad as it is.

Lindaloo · #8 Postby **Lindaloo** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:00 pm

I hate to bring this up AGAIN, but the ACLU is attacking Navity Scenes being displayed. I think it is a shame that this is being allowed to happen.

GulfBreezer · #9 Postby **GulfBreezer** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:57 pm

Like I said...............

It is just plain sad!! I am not angry, I am sad and so is God!

#10 Postby **vbhoutex** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:58 pm

Yes you are so right about this Sandi! some of my favorite memories indeed come from growing up at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal church in Gulf Breeze. Where the shopping center is now(or was) at the Southeast corner of 98 and the Pensacola Beach bridge road there used to be a bar and various shops. In that bar St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal church was born and raised for a few years. During those years I was in the Christmas play each year as a shepherd or a king or something. It was good times and wonderful feelings and the beginning of the growth of my faith in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Gulf Breeze was an idyllic place to grow up. We went out into the woods behind the house on San Carlos and cut our own Christmas tree from the scrubby pines available and we always managed to find just the right one. We continued that tradition for many years, even when we moved to Tallahassee for six years. Of course with my allergies now our family has the trusty fake tree.
My dad will be gone 5 years come January 3rd, but I have to say THANK YOU SANDI for bringing back some VERY WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF HIM and of WHAT CHRISTMAS IS TRULY ABOUT.

Since we are still recovering monetarily from the last 9 moths of my layoff we are only giving Christmas ornaments($10 limit among the family) We all have been so blessed by our Lord and his Grace and abundance to our families that there is certainly nothing material that we want for so we are trying to focus more on the real meaning of christmas as our kids are now adults and our parents that are still with us are now becoming the kids we must take care of. They blessed us in so many ways and now it is our turn to give back. I ramble on here-THANKS AGAIN SANDI!!!

Guest · #11 Postby **Guest** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:01 pm

Sandi - I agree - it is sad. Wish I had an answer for this....

GulfBreezer · #12 Postby **GulfBreezer** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:03 pm

David,
I was married in St. Francis church and yes it is still there, right behind the beach overpass. I know where San Carlos is too, much of that was woods back then. I loved Christmas back then and I want to love it now, but society has made it so hard. It is very challenging for me to remain spiritual and giving when that is not the norm anymore during the Holidays.

stormraiser · #13 Postby **stormraiser** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:38 pm

I used to love going to church Christmas eve growing up. I was a Lutheran and it was a conservative synod. We had a Christmas pageant every year. The children would recount the chapters in Luke about Jesus' birth. We would sing (both in English and German). My weeks up to Christmas was filled with practices to welcome Him back to earth again. Yes, I liked the presents, but this was my focus and I miss it to this day.

#14 Postby **CaptinCrunch** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 2:51 pm

JCT777 wrote:I love the Christmas season, and a lot of it has to do with my childhood memories of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was truly the one time of year when there were almost no negative emotions within my family. Attending the church service on Christmas Eve was wonderful, and I can still hear the choir's amazing rendition of "Angels We Have Heard On High". Even when things get crazy this time of the year (and they most certainly do), I always think back to my childhood. And all of the craziness goes away.

Happy holidays to everyone.

I relive my Christmas childhood thru my kids, (3 boys, 12,10,& 1 and 1 girl 11 as of today) I shall teach them what it all means and to pass it on to their kids.

Rainband · #15 Postby **Rainband** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:20 am

Sandi..it is very sad :cry:

...in reality we are the ones who made Christmas so commercialized the consumer...somewhere along the way we forgot what it was all about and got caught up in the glamour and flair of it all. It all boils down to money this time of the year..sad but true. For me Christmas will mean moving :eek:

I am just thanking god for the place to move to(which we will find today) and the JOB I have and Tony and all my family and friends... Hopefully people continue to teach future generations what CHRISTMAS is all about

The Birth of Christ!!!! Amen

#16 Postby **azskyman** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:46 am

Have to admit there, special lady, that I'm struggling with a "spirit deficit" right now too. Felt more like Scrooge yesterday when I had to inform my staff they would be working on Christmas and/orNew Years this year. I'm hoping to rotate them so they don't have to work both.

I'll be sneaking on over to San Diego Christmas Eve and spending time with my family and Emma will make it special.

Also...every year for as long as I remember I have provided an "open me last" gift for my family. Haven't even been out looking for them yet. I plan to do that next Tuesday.

Open me last gifts were not always the most expensive, but they were among the most meaningful. A special book, a piece of jewelry, an announcement of show tickets, maybe plans for a trip the next year, or a special photograph framed and ready to hang. Something that kept the gift giving alive after that day...and kept the relationships appreciated too.

Might want to try something like that. It will take place again this year...just not sure what for who...but I'm listening intently and doing some thinking.

Good luck in finding the answers. One thing for sure, the answer will NOT be inside you unless it involves doing something for others.

Guest · #17 Postby **Guest** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:00 am

Well last night I think turned my perspective of what the true meaning of Christmas is....each year we adopt several kids that are less fortunate and buy them new clothes, shoes, toys and candy. I see this as a sign from God and Jesus that we reach out to others and do what we can do to spread Christmas cheer. I think we have to quit looking at ourselves so much and look for it in others. Also, enjoyed the evening shopping with my mom.

Spiritually - you have to raise above all the commercialism and put Christ back into Christmas. I myself say a little prayer each night thanking God for another Christmas with my family and for him to strengthen my faith in him....

With this - I think its never too early to wish everyone a Happy Holiday.

Patricia

Miss Mary · #18 Postby **Miss Mary** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:09 am

I'll never forget the time in early December I went to a required parent religious spirtual talk (so my children could attend a summer CCD program). The topic that night was Advent. I was not in that spiritual place that night. I was feeling very frazzled and behind schedule. So many things to do, so little time. I had also just woolfed down my dinner and dashed out the door for this meeting. The Nun giving the talk asked us all how many had their nativity sets up? How many had their lights, tree, decorations up? I had none yet. Many hands went up but I felt even more frustrated at this point looking around the room. These people were ready for xmas it sure looked like to me. I was way behind. Then she directed the talk towards the true meaning of Christmas. Not trees, lights, poinsettia's, Christmas cards, parties, but in the true celebration of Jesus' birth. I went right home and got out my nativity set. And little by little my lights and tree went up. But at a much slower pace.

I think we all need something like this to inspire us to slow down. To contemplate what the holiday season is really all about - The Birth of Jesus.

That's my input. It is truly sad that Christmas is lost in the commercialism. I honestly don't see it turning around. We can all find our own way to make it meaningful and then pass that on to our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.

Mary

Lindaloo · #19 Postby **Lindaloo** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 10:13 am

ticka1 wrote:Well last night I think turned my perspective of what the true meaning of Christmas is....each year we adopt several kids that are less fortunate and buy them new clothes, shoes, toys and candy. I see this as a sign from God and Jesus that we reach out to others and do what we can do to spread Christmas cheer. I think we have to quit looking at ourselves so much and look for it in others. Also, enjoyed the evening shopping with my mom.

Spiritually - you have to raise above all the commercialism and put Christ back into Christmas. I myself say a little prayer each night thanking God for another Christmas with my family and for him to strengthen my faith in him....

With this - I think its never too early to wish everyone a Happy Holiday.

Patricia

VERY WELL spoken ticka!! You just raised my spirit level alot higher.

Amanzi · #20 Postby **Amanzi** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 11:14 am

I too find it heartbreaking that people will celebrate christmas, and deny the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, or challange his very existance. I know a couple of people who go the whole hog during christmas, with the tree and the presents.. everything.. but they are athiests!!!!!!! I find this very offensive (sorry but its just my Opinion) I dont go and celebrate Jewish holidays, I dont light fireworks during Ramadan....... IMHO people who dont believe in Christ should NOT celebrate CHRISTmas!

Sorry Im a grumpy today

It really saddens me........

It really saddens me........

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