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It’s Called Christmas For A Reason
December 6th, 2009
It’s Called Christmas For A Reason
I was in a supermarket today grabbing some Christmas bits n’ bobs and one of the things I wanted to pick up were some Christmas Cards. Now, although I don’t like to make a big deal about my faith it is no secret that I am a Christian. I don’t try to “convert” anybody, or start harping on about what I believe, or walk up to strangers and ask them if they’ve let the Lord into their life. It’s just a personal position.
But when I buy Christmas cards I do prefer them to have a Christmas message. Even if you don’t share my faith I believe you might understand why I might prefer that?
So why is it that I couldn’t find that sort of card in the store? I looked right through their range. No wise men, just sappy elves. No shepherds or trios of exotic kings or nativity scenes, just big colourful pictures of wrapped gifts. Lots of merry Santas and snowy meadows and christmas baubles but not a Baby Jesus amongst them.
I know plenty of you celebrate Christmas but are uncomfortable about the idea of faith. That is, of course, your decision. What you believe and how you express it is nobody’s decision but your own. If you’re on my card list, I don’t suppose you’ll mind receiving my bland, colourful Christmas cards. It’s the thought that counts.
But there are still millions of people who do have faith. And it’s just as much their country as it is the non-believers. So how about you remember, if only for a minute or two, why it is that we exchange gifts, make time for family, share a good meal and enjoy one another’s company. Why it is that we light the streets, put decorations in our houses and sing carols. It’s not for Winterval, that’s for sure. It’s called Christmas for a reason. Maybe our big-name supermarkets might reflect that in a few cards that bare a real Christmas message next year?
Peace and good will to all.
Non-Christians might want to avoid watching this YouTube video.
It will annoy you. You have been warned!
: )
9 Responses to “It’s Called Christmas For A Reason”
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Well said Steve – I prefer to call myself spiritual rather than religious, but I do try to go to midnight mass if I can to remind myself what we’re celebrating for.
the truth and then some spot on steve. glad im not the only one.
It’s not just the cards. Try finding wrapping paper with any kind of religious theme to it. Lots of reindeers, Santas, candy canes and the like.
Most of the time I end up settling for a solid silver or gold paper.
As ever Steve, you make your point with dignity, respect and diplomacy without copping out or compromising your views. As such, you’re completely right when you say the Youtube video will annoy me but not for the reason you might think. In comparison to your grace, the video is jarringly crude and confrontational: in my opinion, it’s an uneccesary addition that serves only as a juxtaposition that debases your own writing which is reasoned not ranty.
As for the lack of Christmas cards without Christian imagery, I completely agree with you that there should be the option to purchase them just as much as there should be the option to purchase the non-religious/ comicy onces. It seems to me that it is something of an extreme version of what should be happening with everyone having the option that they want available. It was be just as bad if there were only religious cards avaiable.
To me, ‘Christmas’ is something that transcends Christianity in Britain, and so it should with our wonderful, richly diverse citizenship. There should be the option to celebrate it the Christian way, the Pagan way, the faithless way, or any way that you want to. What is undeniable is that it is completely ingrained into British culture that it is difficult, near impossible, to avoid during December. Diversity is a good thing, and celebrating this particular season in your own way without stigma should be encouraged.
As a staunch athiest that, like you with your Christianity, does not force it upon anyone but ensures that people know that that is what I believe, I sometimes find Christmas can be grating particularly if I encounter the ‘Let the Lord into your life’ squad that you mention. I find myself being judged for only embracing the social aspects of the season, but not putting up decorations in my home for example. With hindsight, announcing my lack of decorations on Facebook was a rash decision, but hey.
As for cards, for me, they’re nice to recieve as an affirmation of friendship, and if a religious friend chooses to give me a religious card, of course that’s fine. Personally, I choose to send an ecard and donate the money I would have spent on paper cards to charity. You can find my online card here:
http://queenandlatifa.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/2236817-q-l-seasonal-card
Seasons Greetings/ Merry Christmas,
Mark x
I am easy going when it comes to the picture on a Christmas card, preferring that there are choices for all tastes. However, I was extremely confused to receive a card with a picture of a GOAT on it (real photo – fake antlers) – just what does a goat have to do with Christmas?
Steve, I have found the place to visit to get Traditional Christmas cards is Either poundland(Money Grabbers(1p)) or the 99p store. The big stores are to impressed with being non-denominational
James
Ah, I’ve worked out the connection. It simply has to be “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Goat, Amen”
Is there nothing that one cannot find in a Pound shop?! Gotta love the pound shops…
Pound Shop = WIN.
I seem to have arrived back at this point by tracking you on Twitter Steve (shows how little I know about the internet)
Hoever, as a fellow Christian I agree entirely with your views but for Heaven’s sake don’t ever go to New York at this time of year because you won’t find the word Christmas mentioned anywhwere there – because of the ethnic diversity in the city, all you see is ‘Happy Holiday’
Incidentally, in all the hoo hah about global warming none of our church leaders seems to be promotiong that it could be a punishment from God for us all abusing the planet for years and unless we change our ways we will face oblivion. It’s surely self evident to anyone who believes in the Creation