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Celtic Radio Community > General Discussion > Oddest Place For A Christmas Decoration?


Posted by: MDF3530 10-Dec-2003, 04:52 PM
I'll tell mine if you tell yours...

You'd think that out in front of the rectory of a Catholic church, they'd put like a Nativity scene or something like that. Evidently, one of the priests at my church, who's about 7-8 years older than I am, doesn't think that way. Instead, he put out a giant inflatable Homer Claus biggrin.gif . I like it but my folks hate it.

Posted by: AhilissaMay 10-Dec-2003, 04:56 PM
That one cool Priest. biggrin.gif

Ahil

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 10-Dec-2003, 05:13 PM
my uncle has a mini inflatable christmas tree standing on the window sill of his Loo... *blinks*

Posted by: single speed 10-Dec-2003, 10:59 PM


Picture this:
Red lights on the eaves, white net lights on the boxwoods, an average sized, but tsatefully decorated blue spruce in the picture window. What drove my neighbor creazy was the half dozen lawn flamingos with red bow ties in the front yard.

T.


smilie_osx.gif

Posted by: hilander1299 11-Dec-2003, 01:45 AM
It is very sad to see the depths to which commercialism has infected Christmas .... I am not Christian or Catholic .... I am Pagan .... but I abhor the way society has bastardized the season .... let all beliefs or non-beliefs co-exist without the curse of advertising which only caters to the greed and innocence of children in our society .... I have Jehovah's Witness in my family and the scope of advertising makes them feel totally out of the loop .... Christmas is for Christians and should remain such .... but there is a few of us others out there angel_not.gif

Posted by: Richard Bercot 11-Dec-2003, 06:26 AM
hilander1299,

I am not a person who likes to argue. But I do have to disagree with you on this one.

Christmas is not really a Christian Religion. It just so happens as in many other Holidays that the Christians use the times that other Religion, Faiths and whatever else there is, for their own use too.

Christmas is not the blame for advertising. The Advertising Industry abuses all Holidays.

Even though I am not a Christian myself, I still like looking at the decorations that is out there. Some are really nice and artistic and others, well I just won't go there. tongue.gif

Posted by: free2Bme 11-Dec-2003, 06:29 AM
In the small fishing village of Inglis FL where my sister lives, one of her neighbors decorated her lawn one year with some old Christmas lights that she bought at a garage sale - all red bulbs. So someone commented about her "red light district" and the neighbor decided to not only keep the red lights but to add to it! So now that whole entire yard is covered in red Christmas lights - every palm tree, every tropical bush, and every twig or fishing line that will hold a string of lights! Its fun and great for a hearty laugh while sitting on the porch in balmy 80' weather that is Winter in Florida!

Posted by: Danann 11-Dec-2003, 09:23 AM
My neighbor... oh goodness... Every year he puts up lights on his house... in shapes of the local radio stations calls and icons, American Flags, and he lights up the ceramic skunks on his lawn... I swear its worse than the Griswald's Christmas.m I have to shut the bedroom doors on the front of the house so I can sleep.

Posted by: oldraven 11-Dec-2003, 09:59 AM
QUOTE (hilander1299 @ Dec 11 2003, 12:45 AM)
It is very sad to see the depths to which commercialism has infected Christmas .... I am not Christian or Catholic .... I am Pagan .... but I abhor the way society has bastardized the season .... let all beliefs or non-beliefs co-exist without the curse of advertising which only caters to the greed and innocence of children in our society .... I have Jehovah's Witness in my family and the scope of advertising makes them feel totally out of the loop .... Christmas is for Christians and should remain such .... but there is a few of us others out there angel_not.gif

Good God man. There is such a thing as having too much conviction. How do you not go insane being bothered by everything.

Step back and look at what you're complaining about. It makes people happy, and treat each other better. It hurts, NO ONE!!! Chill out and join the rest of us by smiling.

Santa isn't about Christianity, just so you know. The only thing Christian left in the holiday is the occasional, and I mean that, Nativity scene. Maybe one on every block, and that's stretching it. It's only a Christian holiday to Christians. To everyone else it's a time for giving, caring, and spending time with those you love. I fail to see the evil in that.

It's up to the parents how they want their kids to view the season. If they want them to be greedy, then they make Christmas about the gifts. If they want them to see it as a time of giving and warmth and love, then they sing songs, drink apple cider, give their old toys to the needy and drop a few bucks in the Salvation Army kettle.

Posted by: Raven 11-Dec-2003, 10:36 AM
We (Arminta and I) go out each year in search of a large stone chipped head for our front lawn. As a result we end up with no decorations. tongue.gif

just for the record - Christmas was a pagan holiday with different names long before it was a Christian Holiday.

So it seems like it's all working out. Who's to say that Comercialism is not a religeous endeavor for some wink.gif

Posted by: Danann 11-Dec-2003, 11:08 AM
Here's the history of Christmas. It was Christianized, like many other holidays like Easter for example.

QUOTE
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.  Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.

The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side.

To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king.

The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey.

Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun.

In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return.

The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.

The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits).

The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.

"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.

But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.

Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.

The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.


If you want more on the history, several good sites are http://www.benbest.com/history/xmas.html or http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real.html

Posted by: Raven 11-Dec-2003, 12:04 PM
Great Background Danann biggrin.gif

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 11-Dec-2003, 12:32 PM
there is other backgrounds as well... think of Yule =)

I like Christmas for the festive mood that belongs to it in Germany. Alas up here in Scotland I'm not too impressed with it...

But I guess that even people in the dark ages had problems with their children wanting this and that wink.gif

I don't mind anybody's beliefs but only as long people don't want to lecture me about mine wink.gif

Posted by: JaneyMae 11-Dec-2003, 12:47 PM
Wow, Danann! Quite the info! Thanks for the update! I look at it simple peace. Have a merry!

Posted by: Raven 11-Dec-2003, 01:07 PM
QUOTE (Aon_Daonna @ Dec 11 2003, 01:32 PM)
I don't mind anybody's beliefs but only as long people don't want to lecture me about mine wink.gif

(Shakes finger at Aon in stead of lecture) What.......don't look at me like that Mirri
I just given ya a wee bit of a tease lass. wink.gif

Good point more history to be had on the Christmas Holiday for those that care to look. May be it's best to look at it for the fun and festivity smile.gif

That's why I like my anual search for a large stone chipped head. (I actually found one in a local shop last year but when I went back to put it in layaway it was already sold sad.gif ) Oh well it's the hunt that I live for thumbs_up.gif beer_mug.gif

Posted by: Aon_Daonna 11-Dec-2003, 01:18 PM
a stone chipped head? how cool is that wink.gif

mmh.. must be that image of that black bird taking a gingernut that makes me forgive you biggrin.gif

Posted by: maisky 11-Dec-2003, 01:58 PM
The history was nice. Personally I will accept ANY excuse for a party!
band.gif clap.gif happybday.gif kiss1.gif newyear.gif

Posted by: JaneyMae 11-Dec-2003, 02:02 PM
Party? Did someone say Party? Where? When?

Posted by: single speed 11-Dec-2003, 06:29 PM
QUOTE (oldraven @ Dec 11 2003, 10:59 AM)


It's only a Christian holiday to Christians. To everyone else it's a time for giving, caring, and spending time with those you love. I fail to see the evil in that.

I If they want them to see it as a time of giving and warmth and love, then they sing songs, drink apple cider, give their old toys to the needy and drop a few bucks in the Salvation Army kettle.





Well said! Christmastime revolves around fond memories, rich tradations, and the child that we all become during the holidays. Ignore the commercial aspect of the holiday, and focus on the joy.

Please, someone get Hilander a Santa hat and a mug of wassel! You have to loosten up!

T.
smilie_osx.gif

Posted by: Celeste of the Stars1 11-Dec-2003, 07:37 PM
Weirdest place for a decoration? My dad decorates his truck with lights, wreaths and bows. and the best part? One of those light up santas and snowman in the bed. It's great to see it driving down the road in Florida.

Posted by: single speed 11-Dec-2003, 11:01 PM


And the only thing brighter than the snowman is the smile on your dad's face!

T.

[/COLOR]

Posted by: MDF3530 12-Dec-2003, 03:08 PM
QUOTE (JaneyMae @ Dec 11 2003, 02:02 PM)
Party? Did someone say Party? Where? When?

Your house, tomorrow night. I'll bring the Corona, some limes, and my two favorite kinds of Doritos, the Spicy Nacho and the new baked Nacho Cheese ones.

Posted by: MDF3530 12-Dec-2003, 03:11 PM
QUOTE (Danann @ Dec 11 2003, 11:08 AM)
Here's the history of Christmas. It was Christianized, like many other holidays like Easter for example.

QUOTE
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.  Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.

The Mesopotamian king would return to the temple of Marduk and swear his faithfulness to the god. The traditions called for the king to die at the end of the year and to return with Marduk to battle at his side.

To spare their king, the Mesopotamians used the idea of a "mock" king. A criminal was chosen and dressed in royal clothes. He was given all the respect and privileges of a real king. At the end of the celebration the "mock" king was stripped of the royal clothes and slain, sparing the life of the real king.

The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey.

Early Europeans believed in evil spirits, witches, ghosts and trolls. As the Winter Solstice approached, with its long cold nights and short days, many people feared the sun would not return. Special rituals and celebrations were held to welcome back the sun.

In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return.

The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.

The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits).

The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.

"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians though it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.

But as Christianity spread they were alarmed by the continuing celebration of pagan customs and Saturnalia among their converts. At first the Church forbid this kind of celebration. But it was to no avail. Eventually it was decided that the celebration would be tamed and made into a celebration fit for the Christian Son of God.

Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.

The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.


If you want more on the history, several good sites are http://www.benbest.com/history/xmas.html or http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real.html

Hence the phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

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