~ Something To Think About ~

"Sadly,Christmas has become a commericalized holiday that has gradually

taken Jesus' birth out of the celebration."

Christmas is a holiday that is anticipated all year long. It is a time of

giving and thinking of others because Christ gave His life for us. Sadly,

over the past several years, industries and businesses have placed too much

emphasis on giving. The Christmas season is when businesses make the

most profit. They focus on giving material possessions rather than focus on

love or joy like Christ gave us. They have turned Christmas into a gift-giving

frenzey instead of sharing Christ's message of love.

Christmas is a Christian holiday that honors and recognizes the birth of Jesus.

No one knows the exact day that Christ was born, but His birth is observed on

December 25. This date was chosen around 336 A.D. on an early Roman calendar.

The date was actually influenced by the pagan festivals at the time. During this time,

the Romans honored the harvest god, Saturn and the god of light, Mithra. As part

of the celebration, they decorated their homes, exchanged gifts, and sang songs.

These traditions were incorporated into the celebration of Christmas.

People today may not worship the sun god or the god of light,but they do not

recognize the one true God. They leave out the main idea of Christmas and the

reason for the celebration. In addition, over the past years, Christmas has returned to

it's pagan origin, and people are more focused on decorating their tree and making

their homes look festive. Children begin making a list of toys they want months before

December arrives. Family and friends turn department stores upside down looking for

presents to give each other.

Businesses have also lost the genuine meaning of Christmas. They begin placing

Christmas items in stores after Halloween. The main department stores ignore

Thanksgiving and promote Christmas giving. Stores have also removed Christ in more

subtle ways. In order to be politically correct, they use phrases such as,

"Seasons Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" instead of using "Merry Christmas."

The catering business has become more poplar and is now the way to prepare a

Christmas dinner instead of teaching future generations the family traditions and customs

associated with Christmas dinner. Parents have forgotten to hands down special

recipes to their children, families think they are too busy to cook a traditional

Christmas meal for several people. Radio stations start to play Christmas music in

November to help bring in better reviews and more money. These are all ways

Christmas has evolved into a more secular celebration.

Sadly, Christmas has become a commercialized holiday that has gradually taken

Jesus' birth out of the celebration. Stores and businesses skip Thanksgiving and forge

into Christmas profits. People focus too much on gift exchanging, shopping for deals and

decorating for family and friends. Everyone needs to take a break from the bustle of

Celebrating and remember what we are celebrating; the birth of Jesus and the love

He showed us. If we remember what we are celebrating, then our hearts, attitudes and

minds will change.

~ Sad But True ~