Why Is The "Christmas Spirit" So Different?

Digging4Truth · #1 11-28-2010, 07:40 PM

This time of year has what is referred to as the "Christmas Spirit".

That spirit requires it's own set of music that is not played in other parts of the year.

It requires it's own set of decorations that are not up other times of the year.

Why does this "remembrance" require such a complete regearing of the worship we give to God the other 11 months out of the year?

Cindy · #2 11-28-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

This time of year has what is referred to as the "Christmas Spirit".

That spirit requires it's own set of music that is not played in other parts of the year.

It requires it's own set of decorations that are not up other times of the year.

Why does this "remembrance" require such a complete regearing of the worship we give to God the other 11 months out of the year?

It also brings with it, most people trying to be kinder and more giving. You know, the way we are SUPPOSE to be all year long.

More than that, it is because our SAVIOR was born, our redemption has come.

Digging4Truth · #3 11-28-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

It also brings with it, most people trying to be kinder and more giving. You know, the way we are SUPPOSE to be all year long.

More than that, it is because our SAVIOR was born, our redemption has come.

Those are two good statements but they are true (or should be) all year long and yet we must completely change gears this time of year.

We remember his death and yet, while we may choose songs in keeping with the theme, they are songs we sing all year around. No special tree... it doesn't require this annual reconstruction of our worship that Christmas does.

Cindy · #4 11-28-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Those are two good statements but they are true (or should be) all year long and yet we must completely change gears this time of year.

We remember his death and yet, while we may choose songs in keeping with the theme, they are songs we sing all year around. No special tree... it doesn't require this annual reconstruction of our worship that Christmas does.

I don't think I can answer the question, except His birth was the Promise fulfilled. The long awaited Messiah for the Jews, and yet He adopted the whole world.

Praxeas · #5 11-29-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

It also brings with it, most people trying to be kinder and more giving. You know, the way we are SUPPOSE to be all year long.

More than that, it is because our SAVIOR was born, our redemption has come.

Kinder to their families and friends?

Cindy · #6 11-30-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Kinder to their families and friends?

Sometimes to strangers.

missourimary · #7 11-29-2010, 08:24 AM

The decorations are part of a long series of traditions from various parts of the world. For instance, evergreens were brought indoors during the season during the Middle Ages in Europe to lessen the stench associated with too many unwashed bodies and too-long closed windows. (Brides originally carried a bouquet to cover foul scents too.) Some of the older songs were used to teach the Bible story of Christmas at a time when many people couldn't read, too.

Over the years, Christmas has kept it's traditions and songs and become romanticized. So has Easter, but Easter tends to decorate itself with fresh flowers and such, and we tend to use and remember it's tree (the cross) all year. In Europe, where there is no Thanksgiving celebration, Christmas was a day of feasting, warmth and visiting, of thinking of others, and of having a holiday during the long, cold, dark winter.

My guess is that there are more decorations, romanticization, and sentimentalism because Christmas falls in one of the harshest months of the year. It's decorations are brought indoors and crafted, rather than being natural like Easter's, and we've used more and more of them in our celebrations to brighten what used to otherwise be a cold, dreary season. The decorations, stories, songs, gifts and family time have helped to make it a more sentimental and romantic holiday.

sandie · #8 11-29-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

The decorations are part of a long series of traditions from various parts of the world. For instance, evergreens were brought indoors during the season during the Middle Ages in Europe to lessen the stench associated with too many unwashed bodies and too-long closed windows. (Brides originally carried a bouquet to cover foul scents too.) Some of the older songs were used to teach the Bible story of Christmas at a time when many people couldn't read, too.

Over the years, Christmas has kept it's traditions and songs and become romanticized. So has Easter, but Easter tends to decorate itself with fresh flowers and such, and we tend to use and remember it's tree (the cross) all year. In Europe, where there is no Thanksgiving celebration, Christmas was a day of feasting, warmth and visiting, of thinking of others, and of having a holiday during the long, cold, dark winter.

My guess is that there are more decorations, romanticization, and sentimentalism because Christmas falls in one of the harshest months of the year. It's decorations are brought indoors and crafted, rather than being natural like Easter's, and we've used more and more of them in our celebrations to brighten what used to otherwise be a cold, dreary season. The decorations, stories, songs, gifts and family time have helped to make it a more sentimental and romantic holiday.

That's probably as good an explanation as I've ever read.

The only down side I see to this celebration is that it can exaggerate difficult times. If you can't afford all the trimmings it can be very painful.

missourimary · #9 11-29-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandie

That's probably as good an explanation as I've ever read.

The only down side I see to this celebration is that it can exaggerate difficult times. If you can't afford all the trimmings it can be very painful.

Thanks.

The commercialism is hard to avoid. That's true of other holidays too, but it's especially true of Christmas, and that's sad.

Guess that's part of what I like the best about Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and "The Gift of the Magi". I relate. The Cratchets and the couple in "Magi" seem to have nothing, yet what they have is priceless.

sandie · #10 11-29-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

Thanks.

The commercialism is hard to avoid. That's true of other holidays too, but it's especially true of Christmas, and that's sad.

Guess that's part of what I like the best about Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and "The Gift of the Magi". I relate. The Cratchets and the couple in "Magi" seem to have nothing, yet what they have is priceless.

YW.

I love those two stories. I just wish it could be understood what truly is priceless. But, then what would we do on "black friday". LOL