what is xmas???

Have been watching the Wiggles Xmas and found myslef thinking something extraordinary

"gosh, this is quite religious for the Wiggles"

then realised what i was saying. it's kinda weird that xmas is getting less and less religious each year. i know that there are many other festivals at this time held by other religions,but when we talk about xmas, it seems that it is less about Jesus and more about santa.

how deep for a non-religious person.

We're quite religious (to a point) so for us Xmas is all about the birth of Christ, but I do agree, Xmas does seem to be being de-religiousized (what a cool word, can you tell I made it up ), in Sydney the Westfields won't have a nativity display coz it might offend people who aren't Christian. Hello, it's a christian country!

and what would be wrong with also having a hanukah and kwanza display????

Kwanza is the African American celebration, not sure what it celebrates exactly, Barney is kinda vague on the details, but I do know the Happy Kwanza song

Yeah it does become less and less Christian each year.

That said there were 5 churches in our local Santa Parade this year and we were marching with our church...it was awesome!!!

Christmas is all about the birth of our Saviour for us so I guess we're the opposite to a lot of others, that is the main focus we will teach Maddie while teaching about Santa will purely be telling her that it is a story some like to imagine is real and eventually teaching her were the story of Santa came from.

We have no plans to tell her he is "real" though.

thinking about xmas now and wondering what i am going to tell the boys- religion wise. Imight need a new book. Jake only really understands Santa brings presents and has reindeer. He doesn't like any real santas and wil yell at any who wave and/or speak. "I DON"T LIKE YOU!". charming child. I like the idea about St. Nicholas and we are going to do the kmart tree next week as well as the Arohanui tree (hospice where my grandfather died). We did the food drive this year too and I explained why. actually don't think he really got that

"some boys and girls don't have enough food to eat so we can give them some of ours, like sharing"
"mama, i hungry. I want spaghetti"
"No, thats for the other boys and girls"
" no thats mine. they go to the shop"

he was not hungry - he was eating a yoghurt at the time I believe. i wish those food drive people would take these friggin grapefruit though. i hate it dropping to waste on the ground.

what about ofering your grapefruit to a local resthome for the residents there....they may love it - if you were up here I would know some who def would!!!

BTW I tend to "remember" hanukah at xmas as i lived in a jewish household for a year...and now think of xmas as a family time that celebrates everyone...as a "non believer" Im pleased i can do that....but yes i agree that people have forgotten how xmas came about - its now all presents and holidays....

I agree that Christmas has become less religious - I am sure that there are loads of people out there who don't know the story, yet still celebrate (and enjoy the presents), I am pleased I know the Christmas story and want to share that

DH and I were just talking the other day about what we would be teaching Luke about Christmas and Santa - my mum told me the other day that she never told us that Santa was real - we just learnt that from friends/school/kindy. She said she didn't want to lie to us about Christmas and what was real...

I love Christmas - everything, from the real meaning, the carols and the family all together - and thats what I want to pass on to my kids.

For me christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ. My parents never did the whole Santa thing and I'm glad they didn't (for me personally).
Even in New Zealand christmas is advertised with snow and decking the halls with bells of holly but for me it's the good old barbie and a shared meal with family with some swimming and games involved