Christmas is coming!

10/2/2009 8:53:30 AM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	That most beautiful time of year when truth,light,love,perfection itself, our God took flesh. Share some memories. I remember one Christmas eve looking out the window to my neighborhood in Lee, MA, as a young boy and seeing withered grass, pathes of brown or black dirty snow and just thinking -I guess no white Christman this year. Is nature going to cooperate? An hour or so later little snow flakes were coming down. 'Till midnight they fell putting down an inch of the whitest shiniest snow I'd ever seen -a white blanket just like we had under the tree! God's special day had arrived.
10/2/2009 10:21:31 AM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	That most beautiful time of year when truth,light,love,perfection itself, our God took flesh. He did not take flesh at christmas because he was not born at this time, this is a man-made holiday ladened with pagan evilness.
10/2/2009 6:33:50 PM	Christmas is coming!
yetihunter Sarasota, FL age: 53	sharedmercy, my friend! I am shocked! I've read years ago that Jesus's actual birth was in January or February. Is this what you believe? I've read that the Church in those ancient times re-directed Christ's birth to coincide with the Pagan rite of Winter Solstice, in the same way that they put his resurrection to coincide with the Spring Solstice - Easter. And of course Samhain - celebrating the memory of the Dead - has become Halloween but even that is banned by some churches.... They were trying to kill Paganism. Do you do Christmas on Dec 25?
10/2/2009 9:10:23 PM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	I prefer the winter solstice...the longest night of the year. Evil? Hardly!!
10/2/2009 11:20:58 PM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Quote from yetihunter: sharedmercy, my friend! I am shocked! I've read years ago that Jesus's actual birth was in January or February. Is this what you believe? I've read that the Church in those ancient times re-directed Christ's birth to coincide with the Pagan rite of Winter Solstice, in the same way that they put his resurrection to coincide with the Spring Solstice - Easter. And of course Samhain - celebrating the memory of the Dead - has become Halloween but even that is banned by some churches.... They were trying to kill Paganism. Do you do Christmas on Dec 25? NO I do NOT. Most know that based on John the Baptist birth and the fact that he is 6 months older than Jesus Christ the birth time of Christ falls between the last week of September and the first week of October. We are NOT told to worship His birth. We are just told to rejoice. I do not do easter, I do Passover celebration. I do not do any man-made holiday. This was the lie satan created and people fell for it; but then again, God told mankind he was the master deceiver. Saturnalia's Dark Echos Author Hugo Slim reminds us that Christmas "is perhaps the best example of the early Church Christianizing the traditional non-Christian festivals of a season-in this case the festivals of returning light surrounding the winter soltice" (A Feast of Festivals, pp. 36-37). The Romans celebrated the soltice season as the "Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture" (Fillmore, p.10). This connection to the Saturnalia reveals an even darker side to Christmas traditions, and shows plainly why Christmas is not a child-friendly holiday! The Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that at the feast of Saturnalia "all classes exchanged gifts, the commonest being wax tapers and clay dolls. These dolls were especially given to children..." (article: "Saturnalia," 11th edition). What was the purpose of those gifts? "Varro thought these dolls represented original sacrifices of human beings to the infernal god. There was, as well have seen, a tradition that human sacrifices were once offered to Saturn, and the Greeks and Romans gave the name of Cronos and Saturn to a cruel Phoenician Baal, to whom, e.g. children were sacrificed at Carthage". Gifts Dolls were given as gifts as symbols or proxies of children burnt to pagan gods. Yet this practice echos the modern tradition of hanging, cherubs or human figures on Christmas trees as they were on ancient pagan idols. The ancient Greeks placed small masks called oscilla on branches, where they could twirl freely in the wind. Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that oscilla were small figures, most commonly masks or faces, that were hung up "as offerings to various dieties...the custom of hanging these oscilla represents an older practice of expiating human sacrifice". Cannibalism Not only did ancient Saturn-worship and fire-worship involve child sacrifice, it also included cannibalism. Author John Garnier noted: "Cannibalism appears to have been initiated by Cronus, i.e. Saturn...For we are told by Sanchoniathon that Cronus was the originator of human sacrifices...Saturn is represented as devouring his own children." (The Worship of thhe Dead, pp. 34-35). New Year's Celebration The celebration of New Year's on January 1 also dates from Roman times. the festive atmosphere of parties , drinking and uninhibited behavior is a relic of the pagan Roman Saturnalia. The New Year babe in a diaper traces back to the rowdy Greco-Roman festival of Dionysus (Bacchus-the god of wine) held at the beginning of each year. Father Time, the white-haired man carrying a scythe, represents the Greek god Cronps (Saturn), the mythical "silent reaper" who mutilated his father and ate his own children in episodes of cannibalism (Encyclopedia Americana, vol.3, p.13) Note: In 1934, popular author Dale Carnegie wrote: "For thousands of years, the Romans, gorged with food, and drunk wine, celebrating the feast of Saurnalia in December...they held high festival in Saturn's honor, decorating their houses with evergreen and holly, giving dolls to their children and showering gifts upon one another. How sad that we accept and perpetuate these depraved pagan symbols in our endless cycle of fun-filled, yet empty, holiday activities. God told us NOT to worship Him as the Gentiles did. He also said, do NOT offer your children to Moloch/Molech. [Edited 10/2/2009 11:24:20 PM PST]
10/3/2009 6:16:34 AM	Christmas is coming!
yetihunter Sarasota, FL age: 53	Well, I may as well just put on my robe and huddle in a corner of a cave facing a wall, since every holiday is filled with killing and human sacrifice and evil. I feel sorry for the kids who dress as pirates and ballerinas on Oct 31. Do they pass by your house and whisper "That's the crazy lady's house; don't go there!" I'm sorry shared, your version of Christianity is too dark and Taliban-like for me. Please lighten up! You probably never saw any of the Harry Potter movies either. Then you missed the Christmas tree in the hall in the first one. Oh, that's right, Christmas is evil. Open your mind a little, shared. Be aware and tolerant of other beliefs. I've had a very unpleasant encounter once with Christians who formed an idea of who I am and just went with it without proof. Well, maybe they were going on faith. Go to YouTube and search Dar Williams "The Christians and the Pagans" music vid. "You find magic in your God and we find magic everywhere." Even me, Mr Zen Buddhist, likes to listen to Christmas music. Sarah Brightman and Enya can bring tears. Silent Night is one of the best songs of all time, don't you agree? I don't mean to rip into you shared but it irks me that someone can be so close-minded and insistent on ONE belief without even considering other possibilities. And when you DO reference other beliefs, you do so in a hostile, negative way. I like you, my friend, but please open your thinking. Otherwise: "There's a place for you, up on Golgatha." - Pilate, 'Last Temptation of Christ'.
10/3/2009 8:38:54 PM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	Nice post Yeti. In these evil times if Christians can't come together over Christmas then we are doomed. The Bible warns us of those who constantly want to sqaubble over this or that. The Church is the great uniter. The Catholic Church was established by Christ but not all are united visibly. Yes the celebration has become too materialistic. But I agree with Yeti..."I'm sorry shared, your version of Christianity is too dark and Taliban-like for me." Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way...
10/3/2009 8:53:09 PM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	This is translated from Italian so its a little awkward but reliable information. Excavations in Zama, Tunis, reveal that the practice of sacrificing children by the Phoenicians is a myth. The myth was born in the Greco-Roman age with Diodoro Siculo. He made a claim that in 310 B.C. the Carthaginians remembered that they did not honor their god Chronos with the annual sacrifice of children of noble families. Because of that, in few days, they slaughtered two hundred children. Recent archaeological discoveries have disavowed this macabre religious tradition, demonstrating that among Phoenicians there is no trace of human sacrifices. This appears in an interview, in the new issue of the Italian review: "Archeologia Viva," with professor Piero Bartoloni, Head of the Department of Phoenician-Punic Archaeology at Universita' di Sassari, Italy, and a favorite student of famous archaeologist Sabatino Moscati. He undertook a major excavation campaign in Zama, Tunisia, that is linked to the fall of Carthage after the battle of Zama in 202 B.C. The battle ended the second Punic war. He declares that, "In ancient times, for every ten children that were born, seven died within the first year and out of the remained three, only one became an adult. Now I ask: is it reasonable that, with such a high level of infant mortality, these people killed their own children?” Ten necropolises are the resting places of children. Actually it has been discovered -- Bartoloni reveals -- that the greater part of approximately 6,000 children urns found in Carthage, contain bones of fetuses, therefore of still born babies. The little older children remain a problem. They most probably passed away before their initiation, a ceremony that corresponds to Catholic baptism. Flames in some way were involved, because the same initiation included the "passage of fire” of the child, accompanied by its godfather. They jumped on burning coals, as written in the Bible, the Book of the Kings.
10/4/2009 6:21:41 AM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	quote: " Christmas is not a child-friendly holiday!" I know of no children who have been sacrificed in the name of this holiday. I am not sure what happened a few thousand years ago, but in this day and age, I believe that they are being lied to. I was one of them. Whether it is a about a mythical Santa, or that Jesus was born on this day. Either way they finally grow up to find that what adults have told them is not true when it comes to Christmas. I will admit that when my kids were young I got caught up in the whole Christmas lie too. Now it is more about the Sun of God and the Solstice, and the days getting longer, until the Sun has risen in the Spring. At least that much is true.
10/4/2009 6:42:56 AM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Quote from yetihunter: Well, I may as well just put on my robe and huddle in a corner of a cave facing a wall, since every holiday is filled with killing and human sacrifice and evil. I feel sorry for the kids who dress as pirates and ballerinas on Oct 31. Do they pass by your house and whisper "That's the crazy lady's house; don't go there!" I'm sorry shared, your version of Christianity is too dark and Taliban-like for me. Please lighten up! You probably never saw any of the Harry Potter movies either. Then you missed the Christmas tree in the hall in the first one. Oh, that's right, Christmas is evil. Open your mind a little, shared. Be aware and tolerant of other beliefs. I've had a very unpleasant encounter once with Christians who formed an idea of who I am and just went with it without proof. Well, maybe they were going on faith. Go to YouTube and search Dar Williams "The Christians and the Pagans" music vid. "You find magic in your God and we find magic everywhere." Even me, Mr Zen Buddhist, likes to listen to Christmas music. Sarah Brightman and Enya can bring tears. Silent Night is one of the best songs of all time, don't you agree? I don't mean to rip into you shared but it irks me that someone can be so close-minded and insistent on ONE belief without even considering other possibilities. And when you DO reference other beliefs, you do so in a hostile, negative way. I like you, my friend, but please open your thinking. Otherwise: "There's a place for you, up on Golgatha." - Pilate, 'Last Temptation of Christ'. You my friend are a contributer of the evilness that abounds this season.
10/4/2009 6:56:55 AM	Christmas is coming!
sun_shine51 West Monroe, LA age: 58	Although NO ONE knows the "exact date" when Christ was born, December 25th is the day "most all Christians" celebrate HIS birth. I taught my grandchildren that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus... Who HE is and what HE is all about. HE is my savior and is LOVE.... Some may say satan created Christmas. To each their own belief, I say.... Don't condemn me for my belief.... My heart/spirit is all about Christ. Today, yesterday and tomorrow. Yes, I celebrate Christmas, as Christ's birthday, because we do not know the exact date He was born... We all know when we were born and celebrate. HE is the most important birth to celebrate and share to the world, in my opinion.
10/4/2009 6:57:18 AM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Asha reminds everyone of the story of Jephthah in Judges 11.....
10/4/2009 9:17:42 AM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	Quote from sun_shine51: Although NO ONE knows the "exact date" when Christ was born, December 25th is the day "most all Christians" celebrate HIS birth. My heart/spirit is all about Christ. Today, yesterday and tomorrow. Amen Sun-shine. I know there would be some naysayers. There always are. But this thread is not about arguing about Christmas. It's about sharing memories...
10/4/2009 9:32:01 AM	Christmas is coming!
sun_shine51 West Monroe, LA age: 58	Thanks...... Memories.....Have had some very beautiful memories.... Been able to see many of my family that I did not even know was family.... Able to visit my dad, grandparents and half sisters/brothers, when no other time I could.... Got lots of hugs, catching up on what others had been doing, sharing about Jesus.
10/4/2009 9:57:37 AM	Christmas is coming!
ourself Hamilton, ON age: 37	I try not to concern myself too much with the Ghosts of Christmas Past. I celebrate Christmas for what it has become. Sure, maybe it has become a little too commercial but I usually see alot of good things happen around that season. People going a little further out of their Way to help others, families coming together and the sufferings of Mankind seem a little more emphasized. I couldn't care less why We do it. Whether it be for the birth of Jesus or the Winter Solstice. I recognise both but celebrate it cheifly for the warmth it brings to my being.
10/4/2009 10:57:21 AM	Christmas is coming!
thatfatguy Belleville, MI age: 30	Dar Williams - The Christians and the Pagans loved it! I think Dar is so hot! She is madly in love with me, she just don't know it yet.
10/4/2009 11:02:31 AM	Christmas is coming!
canlvu2 Burlington, VT age: 44	quote from Ourself: "People going a little further out of their Way to help others, families coming together and the sufferings of Mankind seem a little more emphasized. I couldn't care less why We do it. Whether it be for the birth of Jesus or the Winter Solstice. I recognise both but celebrate it cheifly for the warmth it brings to my being." I agree with what you say here, the sad thing is that it is only one day of the year. People should give of themselves everday, bring goodness and the spirit of giving into each day of our lives. You don't have to max out your credit card to be there for someone who needs your help, or support. Regardless of how it is celebrated, it is too bad we only focus on this one day, to do it.
10/4/2009 12:06:44 PM	Christmas is coming!
whitegirlkiller McDonough, GA age: 27	Quote from sharedmercy: NO I do NOT. Most know that based on John the Baptist birth and the fact that he is 6 months older than Jesus Christ the birth time of Christ falls between the last week of September and the first week of October. We are NOT told to worship His birth. We are just told to rejoice. I do not do easter, I do Passover celebration. I do not do any man-made holiday. This was the lie satan created and people fell for it; but then again, God told mankind he was the master deceiver. Saturnalia's Dark Echos Author Hugo Slim reminds us that Christmas "is perhaps the best example of the early Church Christianizing the traditional non-Christian festivals of a season-in this case the festivals of returning light surrounding the winter soltice" (A Feast of Festivals, pp. 36-37). The Romans celebrated the soltice season as the "Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture" (Fillmore, p.10). This connection to the Saturnalia reveals an even darker side to Christmas traditions, and shows plainly why Christmas is not a child-friendly holiday! The Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that at the feast of Saturnalia "all classes exchanged gifts, the commonest being wax tapers and clay dolls. These dolls were especially given to children..." (article: "Saturnalia," 11th edition). What was the purpose of those gifts? "Varro thought these dolls represented original sacrifices of human beings to the infernal god. There was, as well have seen, a tradition that human sacrifices were once offered to Saturn, and the Greeks and Romans gave the name of Cronos and Saturn to a cruel Phoenician Baal, to whom, e.g. children were sacrificed at Carthage". Gifts Dolls were given as gifts as symbols or proxies of children burnt to pagan gods. Yet this practice echos the modern tradition of hanging, cherubs or human figures on Christmas trees as they were on ancient pagan idols. The ancient Greeks placed small masks called oscilla on branches, where they could twirl freely in the wind. Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that oscilla were small figures, most commonly masks or faces, that were hung up "as offerings to various dieties...the custom of hanging these oscilla represents an older practice of expiating human sacrifice". Cannibalism Not only did ancient Saturn-worship and fire-worship involve child sacrifice, it also included cannibalism. Author John Garnier noted: "Cannibalism appears to have been initiated by Cronus, i.e. Saturn...For we are told by Sanchoniathon that Cronus was the originator of human sacrifices...Saturn is represented as devouring his own children." (The Worship of thhe Dead, pp. 34-35). New Year's Celebration The celebration of New Year's on January 1 also dates from Roman times. the festive atmosphere of parties , drinking and uninhibited behavior is a relic of the pagan Roman Saturnalia. The New Year babe in a diaper traces back to the rowdy Greco-Roman festival of Dionysus (Bacchus-the god of wine) held at the beginning of each year. Father Time, the white-haired man carrying a scythe, represents the Greek god Cronps (Saturn), the mythical "silent reaper" who mutilated his father and ate his own children in episodes of cannibalism (Encyclopedia Americana, vol.3, p.13) Note: In 1934, popular author Dale Carnegie wrote: "For thousands of years, the Romans, gorged with food, and drunk wine, celebrating the feast of Saurnalia in December...they held high festival in Saturn's honor, decorating their houses with evergreen and holly, giving dolls to their children and showering gifts upon one another. How sad that we accept and perpetuate these depraved pagan symbols in our endless cycle of fun-filled, yet empty, holiday activities. God told us NOT to worship Him as the Gentiles did. He also said, do NOT offer your children to Moloch/Molech. True, true. sharedmercy, well said. In fact good job
10/4/2009 12:37:42 PM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Who is Dar Williams? Post a photo of her.
10/4/2009 1:42:26 PM	Christmas is coming!
thatfatguy Belleville, MI age: 30	Quote from xashax: Who is Dar Williams? Post a photo of her. not a photo, but still a view.
10/4/2009 2:43:39 PM	Christmas is coming!
yetihunter Sarasota, FL age: 53	I saw Dar Williams live at a Clearwater Festival concert in NY, Westchester Community College, back in '94. Sitting on a hill above the stage. You should check out her song "February" on Youtube.
10/4/2009 3:06:34 PM	Christmas is coming!
yetihunter Sarasota, FL age: 53	My memories of Christmas are a conglomeration of memories both real and imagined through many years. I remember Christmas lights on houses and trees up North and the incongruous lights on palm trees here in Florida. I remember lights shining through snow covered bushes. I remember the reflected light of those lights shining on the wall of the living room. I remember peace.
10/4/2009 4:07:04 PM	Christmas is coming!
mrchris2u Hicksville, NY age: 48 online now!	Quote from sharedmercy: He did not take flesh at christmas because he was not born at this time, this is a man-made holiday ladened with pagan evilness. Lighten up Scrooge. Admit it it's not that it's a Pagen Holiday. It's that your to cheap to buy presents for your friends and family. Ya freaking Grinch.
10/4/2009 4:20:36 PM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Its never truly feels like Christmas until someone calls at 3am for bail. Let freedom ring...
10/4/2009 6:22:26 PM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	Quote from xashax: Its never truly feels like Christmas until someone calls at 3am for bail. Let freedom ring... Bail? for what? shoplifting?
10/4/2009 7:01:56 PM	Christmas is coming!
ourself Hamilton, ON age: 37	Quote from canlvu2: quote from Ourself: "People going a little further out of their Way to help others, families coming together and the sufferings of Mankind seem a little more emphasized. I couldn't care less why We do it. Whether it be for the birth of Jesus or the Winter Solstice. I recognise both but celebrate it cheifly for the warmth it brings to my being." I agree with what you say here, the sad thing is that it is only one day of the year. People should give of themselves everday, bring goodness and the spirit of giving into each day of our lives. You don't have to max out your credit card to be there for someone who needs your help, or support. Regardless of how it is celebrated, it is too bad we only focus on this one day, to do it. Yes, it is sad. This is why celebrating Christmas to me is the same as celebrating Life. I try to let people know that I support them and celebrate Us every day in my own Way. But Christmas does make me see Compassion flourish more... The sad truth is that if We didn't have days like Christmas to remind some, they wouldn't take all that much notice in the sufferings of others.
10/4/2009 10:29:34 PM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Quote from mrchris2u: Lighten up Scrooge. Admit it it's not that it's a Pagen Holiday. It's that your to cheap to buy presents for your friends and family. Ya freaking Grinch. Think what you want, it's still evil...
10/5/2009 4:28:54 AM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	It seems to me that there is no real reason to argue about this because the Pagans seem to celebrate "Yule" which is the observance of the Solstice and more in keeping with the original designation of the holiday and the Christians celebrate Christmas. Pagans decorate and feast and exchange gifts because these customs were part of the original traditions. The Christians merely added on Santa (Saint Nicolas) and Jesus. Lets face it though, its a Pagan holiday. Dragging trees in your house to decorate? Come now...lol
10/5/2009 6:35:26 AM	Christmas is coming!
sun_shine51 West Monroe, LA age: 58	Again, For me and my house, it is about Christ.. More testimony! We sit around in one large group, and share, and lift up the name of Jesus. Telling the story to all the children, about Christ's birth; some of us go to church, some watch on TV, some play Away in the Manger, and more Christ-like songs, about Christ's birth. We share how we should always seek Christ in everything we do, and to do everyday, not just Christmas. My son and I (when he was little) would go to the grocery store, and get lots of can goods, to take to the homeless shelter, Salvation Army, or Women's Shelter.. We give, because we care about others. We pick several Angels off the tree (where I worked, and at the Mall) to give a child some clothes and a toy, and always put a Letter in there about Jesus, and how he was born and died for them. My son, would give some of his best toys from the year before to another child, who had nothing. We also did this at other times, when he was growing up.. I always taught him about Jesus, and giving is way much better than receiving. He one day said, "Momma, I did receive when I gave. My heart felt good." Praise God! He understood what giving was all about. Giving from his heart and receiving this awesome blessing, about giving....
10/5/2009 7:16:30 AM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	Quote from sharedmercy: Think what you want, it's still evil... Sharedmercy, I still think that it is a matter of opinion. Quite awhile ago I looked at your profile. I usually do that if I am engaged with someone in the forums in a strong debate, or if I want to add them as a friend. I was surprised to notice that in your profile you acknowledged yourself as a smoker. I think that it surprised me because you seem so "anti" anything that isn't pure and good, and healthy. From your writings and your stance on "True Christianity" you come across as very diciplined. I am not putting you down, the point is.....I think smoking is awful, even though I am a former smoker. I know how hard it is to quit as I have done it. I don't condemn anyone for doing it, but choose not to be in a room where people are doing it. I know that no one is perfect, and most all of us have vices of somekind. It's all a matter of choice and opinion really... I know that smokers sometimes get very annoyed with nonsmokers, mostly because they don't want to be preached to or reminded about the dangers of it. I believe that it is up to the person to quit in their own time, like I did, and that constantly being in someone's face about it, can sometimes make things worse. I suppose I could have summed this all up in one sentence.....Smoking is like preaching religion, they both can be annoying to certain people.
10/5/2009 3:47:47 PM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Chantix works well for quitting smoking.
10/5/2009 4:19:09 PM	Christmas is coming!
droog1 Louisville, KY age: 52	Quote from yetihunter: Well, I may as well just put on my robe and huddle in a corner of a cave facing a wall, since every holiday is filled with killing and human sacrifice and evil. I feel sorry for the kids who dress as pirates and ballerinas on Oct 31. Do they pass by your house and whisper "That's the crazy lady's house; don't go there!" I'm sorry shared, your version of Christianity is too dark and Taliban-like for me. Please lighten up! You probably never saw any of the Harry Potter movies either. Then you missed the Christmas tree in the hall in the first one. Oh, that's right, Christmas is evil. Open your mind a little, shared. Be aware and tolerant of other beliefs. I've had a very unpleasant encounter once with Christians who formed an idea of who I am and just went with it without proof. Well, maybe they were going on faith. . Well said, yetiman, may your hunt bear fruit someday!!!! I dunno you guys, some child sacrifice and cannibalism just might be what the doctor ordered for this yuletide....won't have to spend any cash, won't have to get trampled to death at Wal-Mart.....killing some unsuspecting kids and barbecueing them sounds like a damn good idea... Here's to a Hannible Lector X-Mas!!!
10/5/2009 5:22:35 PM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	I really suspect that this child sacrifice business amongst the Pheonicians is just so much urban legend. The entire myth of child sacrifice is based on the writings of two authors: Diodorus of Sicily and Plutarque, who write solely about Carthage and not Phoenicia itself. Most of the remains found in the urns are babies who died before they were even 9 months old, In other words before they were even born. A child can't be sacrificed if it hasn't been born yet. All the stelae (prayers) that were found with the child urns are dedicated to Baal, and this deity was never associated with sacrifices anywhere, We have to also keep in mind that Abraham did not even hesitate when god asked him to sacrifice Isaac. This should be an indication that the Hebrew may have engaged in sacrifice from time to time. Its a lot of bad mouthing with no archeological substance to back it up.
10/5/2009 5:36:24 PM	Christmas is coming!
bleweyes2 Osseo, MN age: 57	The Christmas is all about true LOVE and that LOVE is our LORD ! John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. And real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. He loves us! We needed a Savior! He is love itself (1 John 4:8). And we celebrate Christmas because we know what He did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). I think it is a very special day to share about Jesus ! The Bible gives a wonderful story about the gift God gave us—Jesus Christ—and we can use it as an opportunity to present the gospel and to show love. Giving and receiving gifts can be part of fulfilling what Paul says about giving in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8, "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others." Paul was talking to the churches who were giving him gifts (financial) so that he could keep on in the ministry. We can apply this same lesson to our own lives by giving to others, not just at Christmas, but year round!
10/5/2009 6:05:29 PM	Christmas is coming!
canlvu2 Burlington, VT age: 44
10/5/2009 8:03:18 PM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Scorpiomoon: Sharedmercy, I still think that it is a matter of opinion. And what I posted was mine. Oh and by the way, I started smoking when I lost my father and shortly afterwards, I lost my husband of 30 years Dec 31st, 2006 along with everything I owned; anytime you want to walk in MY shoes let me know, I will be glad to ask God to allow you the same pain. What a cheap shot. [Edited 10/5/2009 8:27:22 PM PST]
10/5/2009 8:18:12 PM	Christmas is coming!
micmo Grand Bay, AL age: 45	TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IS A JOY TO ME. I'VE GOT SO MANY MEMORIES CONNECTED TO CHRISTMAS AND EVEN THOUGH THE ACTUAL BACKGROUND MEANINGS OF CHRISTMAS MAY NOT ALL BE EXACTLY AS SOME PERCEIVE IT--IT STILL IS MEANT AS A CELEBRATION OF THE SAVIOR'S BIRTH TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. THERE IS SOMETHING SO SOOTHING AND REASSURING ABOUT BEING SURROUNDED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND KNOWING THAT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN AND HIS SON WHO GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT ALL COULD BE SAVED AND NOT HAVE TO PERISH WHEN THEY DIE. Christ is life and Christmas is a celebration of that life's beginning-his birth day!HE REALLY WAS ALIVE AND WELL BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD-BUT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATES HIM BEING TRANSFORMED TO FLESH AS A NEWBORN CHILD-A CHILD BORN TO A VIRGIN NAMED MARY-WIFE OF JOSEPH. SO, MERRY CHRISTMAS FOLKS AND HAVE MANY MORE HAPPY NEW YEARS... [Edited 10/5/2009 8:20:53 PM PST]
10/5/2009 9:17:53 PM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	Quote from canlvu2:[/quote the sad thing is that it is only one day of the year. People should give of themselves everday, bring goodness and the spirit of giving into each day of our lives. You don't have to max out your credit card to be there for someone who needs your help, or support. Regardless of how it is celebrated, it is too bad we only focus on this one day, to do it. That is the idea. That is how Christianity grows. WELL SAID. I lament my own own falling short of this. After suffering a heart incident I'm spurred on to offer what I can. For truly "it is in giving that we receive." Ask any homeless person when the best time of year is. Not only is there food and sharing but the spirit of love is present. That is what matters. And this love is ordered and reaches out and covers our brokeness.
10/6/2009 5:53:44 AM	Christmas is coming!
southernlass Adkins, TX age: 50	Quote from sun_shine51: Again, For me and my house, it is about Christ.. More testimony! We sit around in one large group, and share, and lift up the name of Jesus. Telling the story to all the children, about Christ's birth; some of us go to church, some watch on TV, some play Away in the Manger, and more Christ-like songs, about Christ's birth. We share how we should always seek Christ in everything we do, and to do everyday, not just Christmas. My son and I (when he was little) would go to the grocery store, and get lots of can goods, to take to the homeless shelter, Salvation Army, or Women's Shelter.. We give, because we care about others. This is the perspective I take as well. My little girl and I do much the same as you. I'm certainly open to other perspectives that others have, in that I respect that these are fine for those who prefer not to celebrate Christmas or Easter. Our society acknowledges it at Christmas time and so do we. We very much enjoy this time to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ and how the season encourages giving to others. I've never experienced this focus on Jesus Christ to be at odds with my personal Christianity. I do agree with many though who said that His birth should be celebrated every day, as should the giving to others. [Edited 10/6/2009 5:55:17 AM PST]
10/6/2009 9:01:17 AM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	Quote from sharedmercy: Scorpiomoon: Sharedmercy, I still think that it is a matter of opinion. And what I posted was mine. Oh and by the way, I started smoking when I lost my father and shortly afterwards, I lost my husband of 30 years Dec 31st, 2006 along with everything I owned; anytime you want to walk in MY shoes let me know, I will be glad to ask God to allow you the same pain. What a cheap shot. If you interpret it as a cheap shot I am sorry for that. I said I wasn't putting you down!! I do know that I have not referred to what you believe in as "evil"... to me, that's a cheap shot! I also have experienced the death of several close family members, and friends, in the past few years, so I am aware of grief, and don't wish to share my shoes with anyone!! I personally don't care if you are a smoker or not, my point was that it is all about CHOICES and OPINIONS, I just used smoking as an analogy. I am sorry for your losses, believe it or not!! I do know the story of the Mustard Seed.
10/6/2009 10:47:09 AM	Christmas is coming!
droog1 Louisville, KY age: 52	Quote from sharedmercy: NO I do NOT. Most know that based on John the Baptist birth and the fact that he is 6 months older than Jesus Christ the birth time of Christ falls between the last week of September and the first week of October. We are NOT told to worship His birth. We are just told to rejoice. I do not do easter, I do Passover celebration. I do not do any man-made holiday. This was the lie satan created and people fell for it; but then again, God told mankind he was the master deceiver. How sad that we accept and perpetuate these depraved pagan symbols in our endless cycle of fun-filled, yet empty, holiday activities. God told us NOT to worship Him as the Gentiles did. He also said, do NOT offer your children to Moloch/Molech. Shared Mercy, I think your glass is half empty on this one, at least concerning Christmas. Number one...there is no way anyone has any clue whatsoever when Jesus was born. It is all a matter of speculation, some more educated than others, but speculation nonetheless. Some scholars may have some clues or evidence to what part of the year, but they all agree there is no definitive answer. So who cares when it is observed, imho. But the reason I believe your attitude towards Christmas may be misplaced is because of what we have tried as a society to do with it. At least we made the attempt to turn a holiday filled with sacrifice and cannibalism and turned it around, attempted to inject some religion into it, and made it into a time FOR children and families... Have we been 100% successful? Of course not!! Hey, I did a three year stint at WalMart, I know precisely how savage shoppers can be. The commercialism involved with the so called holiday season is beyond the pale, totally off the charts. The pressure involved can be enormous for some people. But a lot of people are beginning to ignore all tghis, making their X-Mas' more down to earth and less expensive....More power to them! But when everything is said and done we at least try as a people to make this holiday cool as hell for as many people as possible. There's nothing like a christmas morning when there's no one out side doing anything.. The peacefulness is amazing. I am not trying to be melodramatic or maudlin by this next paragraph, so please don't take it as such. Everyone in my family has pretty much passed, so these last three or four holidays I've spent by myself....This last X-Mas was different, I had to work X-Mas eve and X-Mas night so just slept through the day. But although there has been no one else present, I always find a way to make it fun as hell and as meaningful as possible...even my dog knows there's something special about the day 'cause he never gets table food, but christmas he helps me kill the turkey off. I guess the basic point I'm trying to make to you is this...although we've tried our best to tarnish this holiday, it is anything but an evil time......
10/6/2009 12:40:15 PM	Christmas is coming!
sun_shine51 West Monroe, LA age: 58	I agree with you droog ... I loved what you had to say. Could not have said it any better.. I have so many good memories of Christmas with my family and celebrating Jesus' birth... [Edited 10/6/2009 12:41:00 PM PST]
10/6/2009 2:47:22 PM	Christmas is coming!
sharedmercy Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	Quote from droog1: Shared Mercy, I think your glass is half empty on this one, at least concerning Christmas. Number one...there is no way anyone has any clue whatsoever when Jesus was born. It is all a matter of speculation, some more educated than others, but speculation nonetheless. Some scholars may have some clues or evidence to what part of the year, but they all agree there is no definitive answer. So who cares when it is observed, imho. But the reason I believe your attitude towards Christmas may be misplaced is because of what we have tried as a society to do with it. At least we made the attempt to turn a holiday filled with sacrifice and cannibalism and turned it around, attempted to inject some religion into it, and made it into a time FOR children and families... Have we been 100% successful? Of course not!! Hey, I did a three year stint at WalMart, I know precisely how savage shoppers can be. The commercialism involved with the so called holiday season is beyond the pale, totally off the charts. The pressure involved can be enormous for some people. But a lot of people are beginning to ignore all tghis, making their X-Mas' more down to earth and less expensive....More power to them! But when everything is said and done we at least try as a people to make this holiday cool as hell for as many people as possible. There's nothing like a christmas morning when there's no one out side doing anything.. The peacefulness is amazing. I am not trying to be melodramatic or maudlin by this next paragraph, so please don't take it as such. Everyone in my family has pretty much passed, so these last three or four holidays I've spent by myself....This last X-Mas was different, I had to work X-Mas eve and X-Mas night so just slept through the day. But although there has been no one else present, I always find a way to make it fun as hell and as meaningful as possible...even my dog knows there's something special about the day 'cause he never gets table food, but christmas he helps me kill the turkey off. I guess the basic point I'm trying to make to you is this...although we've tried our best to tarnish this holiday, it is anything but an evil time...... Droog, your opinion would be more valueable than mine...how? Scorpiomoon, I don't go to people's profile and bring up personal behavior as an attempted intimidation tool either; but you do whatever you feel you need to. [Edited 10/6/2009 2:51:34 PM PST]
10/6/2009 6:56:55 PM	Christmas is coming!
israelite Marshall, MI age: 51	I am not sure that christmas is spiritual, at least I have never seen anything about christmas in the bible.
10/6/2009 7:17:36 PM	Christmas is coming!
d_voted Winnipeg, MB age: 57	Quote from israelite: I am not sure that christmas is spiritual, at least I have never seen anything about christmas in the bible. I agree - and also there is nothing in the Bible or the Koran or any other Holy Books that says anything about stopping the genocide in Darfur. We MUST conclude from that - because it is NOT written in our collective Holy Books - that we have no business interfering with God's plan. It must be God's plan to eradicate those who are in refugee camps otherwise it wouldn't be happening. The Bible is the one text I am most familiar with and NOWHERE does it say ANYTHING about halting the genocide in Darfur. I suggest that if one were to interfere with God's plan to have these people wiped out we would certainly be in league with Satan. As far as Christmas coming - many will freeze and starve to death. That seems like a good plan - Dawinian economics and survival of the gluttonous (that would be us). Giving only makes people dependent upon us. If we give to these ones, others will follow and pretty soon God will punish us for wasting our resources on those who don't deserve it. Especially if they go to another church. WE are feeding the demons. Stop this sacraledge << bad spelling << kill the bad spellers to << and those who don't know when to use: to; two or too in a sentence - death to them all. There must be others that deserve to die this winter. We should make a list. (WE the good guys NOT WE the bad guys).
10/6/2009 7:31:56 PM	Christmas is coming!
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	A few years ago for my daughter's elementary school christmas concert, they did a multicultural theme.. songs and plays about how this time is celebrated in different cultures. I thought it was awesome! The kids got to see that we are not in fact the center of the universe, which I personally think should be encouraged... I was shocked and dismayed the next day to hear of the outrage from many christians who felt this somehow belittled 'true' christmas. Why I bother to be shocked anymore is probably even more shocking. Christmas is, as in most things, whatever it is to YOU.. it seems to me that each family I know has their own little traditions that become lasting and special which may or may not have anything to do with religion. And as Droog has eloquently pointed out, no matter your circumstances, you can absolutely make the best of it!
10/6/2009 7:34:22 PM	Christmas is coming!
israelite Marshall, MI age: 51	Sorry if I said something that upset you, I was just saying I have never seen it in the bible is all. I know it's a huge part of our economy for income because people like to buy gifts and all. I wonder how this year will fare with the economy so bad?
10/7/2009 5:00:52 AM	Christmas is coming!
sun_shine51 West Monroe, LA age: 58	d_voted said: kill the bad spellers to and those who don't know when to use: to; two or too in a sentence - death to them all.
10/7/2009 5:59:51 AM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	Scorpiomoon, I don't go to people's profile and bring up personal behavior as an attempted intimidation tool either; but you do whatever you feel you need to. *********************** Shared, You seem to be somewhat paranoid about this, especially since I haven't revealed anything to anyone that you hadn't already done yourself. I also said that you come across as someone who is diciplined and into pure and good things. Maybe you should remove some of the "holier than thou" armor and find that not everyone who isn't just like you, is an idiot, or an evil, enemy. On topic...I have Jewish friends that celebrate Christmas AND Chanukah.
10/7/2009 6:20:53 AM	Christmas is coming!
xashax Union, NH age: 37	I know a lot of people that celebrate Christmas and Chanukah both. Thats pretty common nowadays with so many people of different faiths marrying. Jews can marry gentiles and not ask that they change their faith and vice versa. Its the best of both worlds There was an episode of that show "Curb your Enthusiasm" and his wife is a gentile and he's getting worried because she's brought a Christmas tree into the house. . [Edited 10/7/2009 6:21:12 AM PST]
10/7/2009 6:56:01 AM	Christmas is coming!
lees224 Cohoes, NY age: 52	Quote from shakti: A few years ago for my daughter's elementary school christmas concert, they did a multicultural theme.. songs and plays about how this time is celebrated in different cultures. I thought it was awesome! The kids got to see that we are not in fact the center of the universe, which I personally think should be encouraged... I was shocked and dismayed the next day to hear of the outrage from many christians who felt this somehow belittled 'true' christmas. Why I bother to be shocked anymore is probably even more shocking. Christmas is, as in most things, whatever it is to YOU.. it seems to me that each family I know has their own little traditions that become lasting and special which may or may not have anything to do with religion. And as Droog has eloquently pointed out, no matter your circumstances, you can absolutely make the best of it! ms shakti now that my 4 sons,and two adopted children are all grown,i sssoo miss the holiday concerts they had at their schools,,i always cried,every year seeing these little ones,all coming together even if just for one day..and singing songs of different cultures and religions,,they always seemed to sing their little hearts out..and their sweet smiles brightened the whole auditorium..the children enjoyed the day.. the innocence of these young children,,not tarnished by the parents beliefs..just sharing in the day,with their friends of many beliefs.. --- my children always loved setting up the manger,,with Mary and Joseph,baby jesus,wisemen,shepherds and the animals,and the angel on top,,i use to love catching them in the quite of the night laying there just looking in,,or rearranging them..because i would remember me doing the very same thing..
10/7/2009 8:31:13 AM	Christmas is coming!
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55 online now!	One of the most pleasant things in life is watching a child learn things for the first time. I love seeing them so serious as they try to figure what shape fits in where and how. But toys like that only help develop part of their brain. Fantasy, helps them develop their sense of awe about the world, use their imagination and see things maybe non existant in a physical sense. Good grief, there is nothing wrong with them develping the capacity of abstract thought and inner beauty that one cant see in this life. If any thing, we dont do enough now days I think. Maybe thats why so many ugly bland cars are made, people b*tching about a rainy day, maybe they never learned that there can be beauty in every thing, even a rainy day or just transportation. Nothing ticks me off more than those who because of some obscure legalistic thinking, want to deny kids the wonder of Santa or the excitemnet of Halloween.There are the legalistic type Christians on one side, on the other the cold no heart Aethiests who just deny, deny deny. Both have so much in common, they just think they are worlds apart. The one wants to take the wonder of God and boil that down into a bunch of legalistic laws. The other side, wants to narrow every thing down to a laboratory setting made up of natural laws.They really are cousins ,even if they cant see the family lineage in the mirror. I say humbug, to the whole bunch of Scrooges. I do not care, if Christmas is not technaclly the exact date of Christs birth. I dont care, if Pagans celebrated it first. I know why I am celebrating it and thats the only reason that counts. In fact, we dont have enough celebrations in this sterile life, I say lets borrow some more holidays if that is what it takes. Pagans celebrating something else that day? Whats the problem? Heck, invite them over for a drink and wish them their merry soltice or what ever. Now the Sanata thing, sheesh, I dont know of one person damaged by belief in Sanata when they were little. Where are all you legal beavers going to stop? Are you going to sit your son and daughter down just before they get married? Tell them the facts about another abstract thought called love? Hey, Junior or missy, chances are the one you think you love is going to screw around with your best freind, take every penny and your kids from you, be ready because you have a 60 % chance of getting screwed for the rest of your life.Of course not, why? Because you surrely hope that it is true even though you your self never had the real thing. When you legal types tell the truth about love, I will stop talking about Santa.In the mean time, I say screw off scrooge, invite the nehibours over for a drink, if they are Pagan no problem lol, here is a drink. And I cant wait, to read my Grand Kids the Night before Christmas and see the magic ( that doesnt exist either right?) in their eyes. I will remember that same magic that shone in my kids eyes so many years before. LOL, I can still do all the sound efects. If someone just wants to celebrate a holiday, another Religous festival? No problem, I am celebrating Christs birthday and I have never had anyone from another Religion get up set at me doing that. I am damned if I will let other Christians take that away, go read your law books.
10/7/2009 8:40:19 AM	Christmas is coming!
scorpiomoon Brattleboro, VT age: 60	Dun......you know what I think about your post?......
10/7/2009 9:09:45 AM	Christmas is coming!
droog1 Louisville, KY age: 52	Quote from dunrich2: . Nothing ticks me off more than those who because of some obscure legalistic thinking, want to deny kids the wonder of Santa or the excitemnet of Halloween.There are the legalistic type Christians on one side, on the other the cold no heart Aethiests who just deny, deny deny. Both have so much in common, they just think they are worlds apart. I say humbug, to the whole bunch of Scrooges. I do not care, if Christmas is not technaclly the exact date of Christs birth. I dont care, if Pagans celebrated it first. I know why I am celebrating it and thats the only reason that counts. In fact, we dont have enough celebrations in this sterile life, I say lets borrow some more holidays if that is what it takes. Extremely well put, Dunrich. You put into words precisely thoughts that I try to convey...especially the line "Both have so much in common, they just think they are worlds apart". And since you have all been such wonderful creatures this year, you have deserved presents..... Xashax, may your alpacas breed like wildfire, and i wish you to keep us on our toes with your logic!! Woodsmamma, for you, milady, your constant regard for everyones opinions has earned you a lifetime subscription to kazaa, so you can download all the tunes and videos that exist....bless you sweety!!! Lethal, "The Illiad and the Odyssey"... Shared Mercy, more icons.... Jstme, a plane ticket and hotel room in Turin Italy so you can see the shroud for yourself when it is on display next summer... Mindya, your marriage proposal to Xashax will be accepted... Dunrich, to you sir, my constant respect for your Christian views and ways of making things so clear to most of us..a box of Partagas no. 10 maduros, i hope you like cigars dude.... happy holidays, Merry f-ing christmas, Happy Channukah, Festival of Carneia, whatever druid holiday one can think of, kwanza, whichever.......
10/7/2009 8:16:13 PM	Christmas is coming!
yetihunter Sarasota, FL age: 53	Let this never be a land where "it's always winter, but never Christmas". With regards to C.S. Lewis.
10/7/2009 11:16:28 PM	Christmas is coming!
rainydaysangel Evanston, WY age: 47	Quote from sun_shine51: Although NO ONE knows the "exact date" when Christ was born, December 25th is the day "most all Christians" celebrate HIS birth. I taught my grandchildren that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus... Who HE is and what HE is all about. HE is my savior and is LOVE.... Some may say satan created Christmas. To each their own belief, I say.... Don't condemn me for my belief.... My heart/spirit is all about Christ. Today, yesterday and tomorrow. Yes, I celebrate Christmas, as Christ's birthday, because we do not know the exact date He was born... We all know when we were born and celebrate. HE is the most important birth to celebrate and share to the world, in my opinion. Right On!
10/7/2009 11:43:59 PM	Christmas is coming!
sharenlove Fort Wayne, IN age: 54	We are not instructed to celebrate Jesus birth other than rejoice in our hearts. We are instructed to keep the Holy Days forever. God said, DO NOT honor me the way the heathens honor their gods. Clear and simple. ~Truth of Yahshua~
10/8/2009 1:36:25 AM	Christmas is coming!
a_codger Mountain View, AB age: 48	Share some memories. The first Xmas memory that comes to mind for me was that once upon a time we didn't start talking about it until after Thanksgiving and Halloween. [Edited 10/8/2009 1:38:30 AM PST]
10/8/2009 7:29:45 AM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	Quote from droog1: "Mindya, your marriage proposal to Xashax will be accepted..." Too funny. Who's selling the ringside tickets?
10/8/2009 7:53:07 AM	Christmas is coming!
jongeo Naples, FL age: 53	Quote from dun: If any thing, we dont do enough now days I think. Maybe thats why so many ugly bland cars are made, people btching about a rainy day, maybe they never learned that there can be beauty in every thing, even a rainy day or just transportation. Nothing ticks me off more than those who because of some obscure legalistic thinking, want to deny kids the wonder of Santa.. I say humbug, to the whole bunch of Scrooges. I do not care, if Christmas is not technaclly the exact date of Christs birth. I dont care, if Pagans celebrated it first. I know why I am celebrating it and thats the only reason that counts. In fact, we dont have enough celebrations in this sterile life, I say lets borrow some more holidays if that is what it takes." Well said dun. On that car thing it's those da* computers. They don't know what beauty and creativity is. The Holy Spirit takes and reshapes our world. Some things new...some things borrowed.