Do Santa, Christmas Trees etc. Bother You?

[Windwalker]

To me Christmas is two separate things:

1) A celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
2) A winter celebration/feast

They just so happen to coincide, regarding time and date - and share the same name!

But to me they are separate

One is Pagan in origin, the other Christian

They don't just happen to coincide, the mid-winter solstice celebration was "Christianized", choosing December 25 as the birth of Christ. No such date is found anywhere in scripture. In fact, it was more likely he was born around the time of harvest in the Fall, as that is when they would call for a census to determine taxation. December 25, is purportedly the birthday of the god Tammuz. That's what I've read, but can't attest to its veracity. It certainly is not something from scripture or early Christianity either, for that matter.

But none of that actually matters. It's what people choose to see it as, and celebrate it as such. I sincerely doubt God cares if it's historically correct. Only legalist thinkers think it matters to God. Romans 14: 5-6

One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. ​

 

[Spiderman]

I don't think Christmas or December 25th was Christ's birthday, but if so, Santa and Rudolf the red nose reindeer and elves, Christmas trees, and many of the gifts are a huge distraction from what is supposed to be celebrated.

 

[Orbit]

When I was a Christian I loved everything about Christmas, and had no problem with the secular and sacred symbols co-existing.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Ironically the only time I ever had a problem with Christmas symbology is not when I was an atheist, but when I was a Christian (JW).

 

[Revoltingest]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

I never believed in Santa, & never had anything against him.
But now he reminds me of the complex expectations of gift giving.
So I've come to dislike him a little.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Though an atheist, I have enjoyed many human celebrations -- religious and others -- all my life. When I was younger and had a voice that didn't resemble finger-nail on chalkboard, I sang in choirs and carolled with as much joy as anyone. I've attended Diwali festivities, and Kalsa day. I like Santa (for the kids), and I have no issue at all with all the symbols that people around the world put up to celebrate.

I just want to be sure that if one group is allowed to put up a creche in the public square, another group can put up a menorah...and so forth.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

I know I'm not the target audience for the OP, but I've never quite understood the 'reason for the season' viewpoint. Christmas is a mish-mash of a lot of imagery and celebrations. I know plenty of Christians who are convinced it's literally Jesus' birthday, for example, and find myself wondering whether a Christmas tree does more damage to the religious meaning of Christmas than a level of ignorance from actual believers.

Long story short, most people are bringing something to Christmas. It's changed many times over the years, and continues to evolve. More power to you in terms of how you view Christmas, but (as you would well understand) hoping others will share your views on the day is wasted effort.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

Personally, I see the secularization of Christmas as a good thing.

... and what did the Christians expect? If they impose their holidays on everyone - religious or not - they're really giving non-Christians license to re-interpret their holiday and assign their own meaning to it.

If they had wanted to keep it sacred and religious, they could have kept it in church.

 

[SomeRandom]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

I thought Santa Claus was (at least loosely) based upon the Catholic Saint Nikolas, which represents the act of selflessness. Which was then mixed with various traditional folklore characters, depending on which version you go to.
Indeed all Christmas trees are adorned with a star on the the top, to represent the star which helped guide the three wise men to Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. The various decorations are also very Christian in nature. The green tree is thought to represent everlasting life. The red decorations are the sacrificial blood of Jesus and the lights are supposedly the light of lord Jesus.
It’s true there is a lot of Criss crossing of various traditions with pagan folklore. But that often happens to a lot of cultures anyway.
Rediscover the Meaning of Christmas: Symbols behind the Christmas Tree

Now I’m not particularly Christian myself, though every year I spend it making merry with my Christian “family.” And isn’t that a good wholesome Christian thing to do? Drunken shenanigans notwithstanding

 

[Valjean]

Christians, and good people in general, claim to value truth and honesty. They're not supposed to lie. Yet Santa is a lie, and Christians justify it by saying it's fun or makes kids happy.
So honesty is desirable only when convenient? Lying is OK when it's convenient? Are these the values we want to impart to our kids?

 

[Milton Platt]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?[/QUOTE
Doesn't really bother me. I understand that the whole thing is a mix of pagan rituals from beginning to end, but I just see it as a time to get together with my family (which is normally scattered to the four winds) and have a nice meal and socialize. And of course, the gifts.

 

[Milton Platt]

I thought Santa Claus was (at least loosely) based upon the Catholic Saint Nikolas, which represents the act of selflessness. Which was then mixed with various traditional folklore characters, depending on which version you go to.
Indeed all Christmas trees are adorned with a star on the the top, to represent the star which helped guide the three wise men to Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. The various decorations are also very Christian in nature. The green tree is thought to represent everlasting life. The red decorations are the sacrificial blood of Jesus and the lights are supposedly the light of lord Jesus.
It’s true there is a lot of Criss crossing of various traditions with pagan folklore. But that often happens to a lot of cultures anyway.
Rediscover the Meaning of Christmas: Symbols behind the Christmas Tree

Now I’m not particularly Christian myself, though every year I spend it making merry with my Christian “family.” And isn’t that a good wholesome Christian thing to do? Drunken shenanigans notwithstanding

Those meanings may have been assigned by Christians after the fact, but the items were all incorporate from other belief systems.

 

[SomeRandom]

Those meanings may have been assigned by Christians after the fact, but the items were all incorporate from other belief systems.

Wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Milton Platt]

Wouldn’t surprise me.

To be clear, even as an atheist, I enjoy the holidays and am not dismissing them.I simply do not attach religious connotations to them.

 

[SomeRandom]

To be clear, even as an atheist, I enjoy the holidays and am not dismissing them.I simply do not attach religious connotations to them.

Well I don’t like working during the holidays. But the actual holidays are always fun. Religion or not

 

[blü 2]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

Going the other way, in the steps of Charles Dickens and Santa, we're not believers but we've always celebrated Christmas with trees, angels, presents and MUCH feasting.

I think an international season of goodwill towards everyone, regardless of creed, color or customs, is well worth celebrating.

And a big feast that brings the family / families together is well worth it too.

 

[Rival]

Going the other way, in the steps of Charles Dickens and Santa, we're not believers but we've always celebrated Christmas with trees, angels, presents and MUCH feasting.

I think an international season of goodwill towards everyone, regardless of creed, color or customs, is well worth celebrating.

And a big feast that brings the family / families together is well worth it too.

I'm not asking about Christmas itself tho. I'm asking about the things tacked onto it, such as Santa.

 

[InChrist]

Christians, and good people in general, claim to value truth and honesty. They're not supposed to lie. Yet Santa is a lie, and Christians justify it by saying it's fun or makes kids happy.
So honesty is desirable only when convenient? Lying is OK when it's convenient? Are these the values we want to impart to our kids?

I was raised Catholic and we celebrated Christmas with church, Santa, the Nativity scene, Rudolph and everything. Later in life, I was saved by Jesus Christ and born again and from then on Christmas was focused on the birth of Christ, no more Santa. We didn’t lie to our kids. I think many Christians share a similar experience.

 

[InChrist]

I recall when I was a Christian and even as a kid, I never really liked or understood the whole Santa thing. I found it a bit odd and thought it took away from the religious meaning of the holiday by way of overshadowing it. Things like Christmas trees also bothered me and I recall mentioning that to one of our Jewish users on here when I was a Christian.

Are there any Christians here who are also bothered by this? Do you think it's too childish or otherwise takes from the message/meaning?

I am not necessarily bothered by many of the things incorporated into Christmas celebrations, although many are distractions from the birth of Christ, the Savior entering into humanity on earth. I don’t expect non- believers to fully understand or acknowledge the point of Christmas, so I’m not surprised at the various things thrown into people’s celebrations.
Since being saved by Jesus Christ, our family does not include Santa as part of our Christmas. I don’t see the Christmas tree as a distraction any more than candles on a cake when celebrating someone’s birthday or having beautiful flower arrangements at a celebration. I believe it’s a beautiful symbol pointing to the eternal light and life in Christ.

 

[blü 2]

such as Santa.

Who more welcome at the solstice?