The Husband sets up a manger. Personally, I could live without it, but it's "traditional" in the christian world. (The Husband bailed on organized religion (but reads the bible daily) with the Orange Menace was elected, and I've been a heathen since the Catholic sex scandals came to light.) We put baby Jesus in there, and people have said we shouldn't put it there until xmas morning. Yeah, whatever. Other than that, there are no religious decorations. My tree is topped with a small sombrero, and is decorated with ornaments I've purchased in my travels. While I'm not a big fan of the holidays, I do love my ornaments. And I do love them with a side of "snark". (There's a few PG/R rated ornaments on the tree.) What would the fundies say about the lovely embroidered piece that hangs front and center from the decorative screen that says "Well Hung"?
Your comments today have totally deflated what is left of this old man's ego. When asked to give my birthdate for a medical visit or some other sort of ID required transaction I ofter hear back, "oh you're a Christmas baby" to which my canned reply has always been, "yes, me, Jesus and Jimmy Buffett." As Jimmy died this past September and now that you've revealed that Jesus was NOT born on 12/25 I stand with thousands of other peons who just happened to drop out of the womb on that once famous date! So if I hear the comment about being a "Christmas" baby I will act as if my hearing aids need new batteries! Merry whatever you celebrate in this cold dark season we are now in:))
growing up my parents used to give us HALF-Birthday parties in June so that we did not get gypped. It kind of worked. But really - it is a weird time to try and have a birthday. The only time I felt really heard about it was once, sitting in AAA waiting to be my drivers license renewed - I said out loud; "So, how does everyone here feel about having a birthday near Christmas?" And WOW! It was like a therapy group. It was hilarious. And heartening. For a brief moment in time - - I found a tribe I could have hung with.
My extremely short Sunday school career ended when the teacher broke it to a room of five and six year olds that Jesus wasn’t born in December because in all the pictures you see of the birth there isn’t any snow. When I pointed out it rarely snows in Bethlehem (I spent a lot if time with my globe and World Book) I was dispatched to the corner of the classroom because I violated the “Thou shall be seen but not heard” commandment. I realize now that, while her reasoning may have been flawed, she may have been on to something. My parents, baptized Catholic and Lutheran, took pity on me and with the exception of funerals, that was the last.time I set foot in the Congregational church or the Congo as we kids called it to get my grandmother going.
All that being said, our house was the place to be on Christmas Eve, Dozens of people, including many beyond the family, would descend on our house. There was no RSVP. Many of them friends of friends and acquaintances needing/wanting a place to be. There was no way of knowing exactly how many and who would show up but the number typically exceeded fifty people. When the time came for presents there was a wrapped gift under the tree for every single person there with their name on it (lots of socks and gloves). When I was small it was a miracle. When I got a little older, I got hipped to the Santa’s workshop like operation in my grandparents house next door. So yeah, while my holiday spirit isn’t rooted in a belief of a (questionable?) birthdate, I choose to lean toward the light and not the darkness. I’m thinking Jesus would be cool with that.
I think of it all, starting with Thanksgiving, as "the season." Loving, giving, laughing, sharing, creating beauty, more laughing, indulging. Jesus' influence was profound, so, yes, I have a creche. But the celebrations by so many... it all makes me happy. I am gradually putting up a small tree this year, which is fine. I will be baking 6 kinds of cookie. Singing in the choir. Watching dumb Christmas movies. So let's all swing around the glitter pole and celebrate one another.
I wonder to what extent Fundamentalism's appeal is an appeal to Be Correct? Not that that's lacking in other christianities or sectors of them. And it's a lot of what was behind the constant ordination questions about What is Authority.
Here in North Yorkshire, where there's no dilemma about church (of England) *being* state, there's a lot of Christmas around, but very little Christianity in the sense of adherence to a church, theology, doctrine, or authorities. I will be enjoying putting the anthropology of this through an experiential/thoughtful/masticatory process during the years we're here.
And I think it's beautiful, as it is most places. :D Going through the countryside in a bus or as Sheeyun drives is like driving through a series of Constable landscapes, and I enjoy the town of Harrowgate as well.
Thanks for confirming my impression! I mean, for your reading, which I'd be grateful for if it said I was all wrong, too. A clergy colleague of mine who has brought up Missouri Synod Lutheran but who became a liberal ELCA pastor said that when he started as clergy he was concerned that a layperson might ask him a question he didn't know the answer to, until he realized that that wasn't a concern for his congregation.
I started a tradition of keeping a tree year round and changing the lights and decorations for different holidays
The only person that seemed to hate it was my ex
The thing that I have come to enjoy about this time of year is reading the Facebook posts from goofballs that I know and will see from time to time that complain about people saying happy holidays instead of merry Christmas
I’ve found that smiling and wishing them happy holidays usually generates the same greeting in return
Perhaps we need a little Yule, right this very minute? I have a manger scene, it goes up every year (like Theresa's) with Baby Jesus there from the start. I love the old story of the baby, his parents, the star, the angels and shepherds. I love the waiting that commences (liturgically) this coming Sunday. Every year I prepare to welcome something new into the world. I love the story of the man the baby grew into, too. The teachings on love and compassion. It is a shame what religion has done to the story of the man. All that said, over the next few weeks, Christmas and Yule will coexist quite joyfully in my house and heart.
Your tree is beautiful and looks real. I have always loved the magic of Christmas and how giving made me feel. Picking out a real tree from the lot was one of my favorite parts. Unfortunately I’m allergic and have to deal with having a fake tree that looks real. But it can stay up longer and it does until Epiphany.
I agree about Jesus being born in the spring and wish there was more time between the holidays. I have been Happy Holidaying for years now. Joy and love shouldn’t be exclusive.
And I have a few ornaments from when I was a kid. One from my fifth grade teacher and four that I made. I collect an ornament from my travels and love the memories they bring. I also have ones for my beloved pets that have passed and ones for my parents and in-laws too.
I do all the decorating, shopping and cooking, which can be exhausting but I try to reduce it some as I get older. Last Saturday I went to a Dickens festival in Skaneateles, NY and sang carols. It was awesome!
I missed a holiday-lit-boat parade last night because I was out on the porch, decorating, and lost track of time. (I figured while I was up on a ladder, I'd clean, too. Someone should do that more often around my house.) The tree is real. It's a fir.
I don't decorate much, just a small string of felt ornaments on my apartment door and battery-operated candles in the windows. Haven't had any live greenery since I became an apartment dweller again.
I recently read two books by Robin R. Meyers: Saving Jesus From the Church, and Saving God From Religion. I highly recommend both. He writes about the need to recover the original Jesus movement and truly follow him, not just worship him on Sundays.
My Jewish husband LOVES the Christmas holiday gift giving. He loves to spoil and shower his loved ones with too many gifts and expects nothing in return. It's the spirit of giving and love that appeals to all of us. And who doesn't love the colorful lights everywhere? They open my heart. I love this season.
It's the one on the back of the Fluff tub. It has only let me down a couple of times -- including this weekend when the stuff didn't really harden. Oh well. Back to the fire to try again.
The Husband sets up a manger. Personally, I could live without it, but it's "traditional" in the christian world. (The Husband bailed on organized religion (but reads the bible daily) with the Orange Menace was elected, and I've been a heathen since the Catholic sex scandals came to light.) We put baby Jesus in there, and people have said we shouldn't put it there until xmas morning. Yeah, whatever. Other than that, there are no religious decorations. My tree is topped with a small sombrero, and is decorated with ornaments I've purchased in my travels. While I'm not a big fan of the holidays, I do love my ornaments. And I do love them with a side of "snark". (There's a few PG/R rated ornaments on the tree.) What would the fundies say about the lovely embroidered piece that hangs front and center from the decorative screen that says "Well Hung"?
I have two of the Three Stooges as ornaments. One broke. And most of mine were collected on travels, too. I love hanging them and remembering.
Your comments today have totally deflated what is left of this old man's ego. When asked to give my birthdate for a medical visit or some other sort of ID required transaction I ofter hear back, "oh you're a Christmas baby" to which my canned reply has always been, "yes, me, Jesus and Jimmy Buffett." As Jimmy died this past September and now that you've revealed that Jesus was NOT born on 12/25 I stand with thousands of other peons who just happened to drop out of the womb on that once famous date! So if I hear the comment about being a "Christmas" baby I will act as if my hearing aids need new batteries! Merry whatever you celebrate in this cold dark season we are now in:))
Take it and embrace it. You're a Christmas baby, consigned to forever not get enough gifts for both holidays.
My birthday is December 23.
My sister's birthday is December 21.
My brother's birthday is December 28.
Sooooo. There's that!
growing up my parents used to give us HALF-Birthday parties in June so that we did not get gypped. It kind of worked. But really - it is a weird time to try and have a birthday. The only time I felt really heard about it was once, sitting in AAA waiting to be my drivers license renewed - I said out loud; "So, how does everyone here feel about having a birthday near Christmas?" And WOW! It was like a therapy group. It was hilarious. And heartening. For a brief moment in time - - I found a tribe I could have hung with.
As a New Years baby, I can relate.
My extremely short Sunday school career ended when the teacher broke it to a room of five and six year olds that Jesus wasn’t born in December because in all the pictures you see of the birth there isn’t any snow. When I pointed out it rarely snows in Bethlehem (I spent a lot if time with my globe and World Book) I was dispatched to the corner of the classroom because I violated the “Thou shall be seen but not heard” commandment. I realize now that, while her reasoning may have been flawed, she may have been on to something. My parents, baptized Catholic and Lutheran, took pity on me and with the exception of funerals, that was the last.time I set foot in the Congregational church or the Congo as we kids called it to get my grandmother going.
All that being said, our house was the place to be on Christmas Eve, Dozens of people, including many beyond the family, would descend on our house. There was no RSVP. Many of them friends of friends and acquaintances needing/wanting a place to be. There was no way of knowing exactly how many and who would show up but the number typically exceeded fifty people. When the time came for presents there was a wrapped gift under the tree for every single person there with their name on it (lots of socks and gloves). When I was small it was a miracle. When I got a little older, I got hipped to the Santa’s workshop like operation in my grandparents house next door. So yeah, while my holiday spirit isn’t rooted in a belief of a (questionable?) birthdate, I choose to lean toward the light and not the darkness. I’m thinking Jesus would be cool with that.
Absolutely. Lean toward the light.
I think of it all, starting with Thanksgiving, as "the season." Loving, giving, laughing, sharing, creating beauty, more laughing, indulging. Jesus' influence was profound, so, yes, I have a creche. But the celebrations by so many... it all makes me happy. I am gradually putting up a small tree this year, which is fine. I will be baking 6 kinds of cookie. Singing in the choir. Watching dumb Christmas movies. So let's all swing around the glitter pole and celebrate one another.
AMEN!
I wonder to what extent Fundamentalism's appeal is an appeal to Be Correct? Not that that's lacking in other christianities or sectors of them. And it's a lot of what was behind the constant ordination questions about What is Authority.
Here in North Yorkshire, where there's no dilemma about church (of England) *being* state, there's a lot of Christmas around, but very little Christianity in the sense of adherence to a church, theology, doctrine, or authorities. I will be enjoying putting the anthropology of this through an experiential/thoughtful/masticatory process during the years we're here.
Is it beautiful there? And being correct, as I remember it, was all.
And I think it's beautiful, as it is most places. :D Going through the countryside in a bus or as Sheeyun drives is like driving through a series of Constable landscapes, and I enjoy the town of Harrowgate as well.
Thanks for confirming my impression! I mean, for your reading, which I'd be grateful for if it said I was all wrong, too. A clergy colleague of mine who has brought up Missouri Synod Lutheran but who became a liberal ELCA pastor said that when he started as clergy he was concerned that a layperson might ask him a question he didn't know the answer to, until he realized that that wasn't a concern for his congregation.
Being right is a big part of being a fundamentalist (by my reading). Right = righteous.
I started a tradition of keeping a tree year round and changing the lights and decorations for different holidays
The only person that seemed to hate it was my ex
The thing that I have come to enjoy about this time of year is reading the Facebook posts from goofballs that I know and will see from time to time that complain about people saying happy holidays instead of merry Christmas
I’ve found that smiling and wishing them happy holidays usually generates the same greeting in return
Funny that
Perhaps we need a little Yule, right this very minute? I have a manger scene, it goes up every year (like Theresa's) with Baby Jesus there from the start. I love the old story of the baby, his parents, the star, the angels and shepherds. I love the waiting that commences (liturgically) this coming Sunday. Every year I prepare to welcome something new into the world. I love the story of the man the baby grew into, too. The teachings on love and compassion. It is a shame what religion has done to the story of the man. All that said, over the next few weeks, Christmas and Yule will coexist quite joyfully in my house and heart.
That’s it. Both, together. It never dawned on me that I could make Christmas into something of my own (see “being correct,” above).
And may a harmonious season of joy and faith fill your every day.
Your tree is beautiful and looks real. I have always loved the magic of Christmas and how giving made me feel. Picking out a real tree from the lot was one of my favorite parts. Unfortunately I’m allergic and have to deal with having a fake tree that looks real. But it can stay up longer and it does until Epiphany.
I agree about Jesus being born in the spring and wish there was more time between the holidays. I have been Happy Holidaying for years now. Joy and love shouldn’t be exclusive.
And I have a few ornaments from when I was a kid. One from my fifth grade teacher and four that I made. I collect an ornament from my travels and love the memories they bring. I also have ones for my beloved pets that have passed and ones for my parents and in-laws too.
I do all the decorating, shopping and cooking, which can be exhausting but I try to reduce it some as I get older. Last Saturday I went to a Dickens festival in Skaneateles, NY and sang carols. It was awesome!
I missed a holiday-lit-boat parade last night because I was out on the porch, decorating, and lost track of time. (I figured while I was up on a ladder, I'd clean, too. Someone should do that more often around my house.) The tree is real. It's a fir.
It’s beautiful! Douglas fir was my favorite.
This is Frazier fir. Close!
Definitely!
I don't decorate much, just a small string of felt ornaments on my apartment door and battery-operated candles in the windows. Haven't had any live greenery since I became an apartment dweller again.
I recently read two books by Robin R. Meyers: Saving Jesus From the Church, and Saving God From Religion. I highly recommend both. He writes about the need to recover the original Jesus movement and truly follow him, not just worship him on Sundays.
Both sound like my kind of read. Thank you for the recommendation. I'm right now reading Jeff Sharlet's latest, "The Undertow." It's quite good.
My Jewish husband LOVES the Christmas holiday gift giving. He loves to spoil and shower his loved ones with too many gifts and expects nothing in return. It's the spirit of giving and love that appeals to all of us. And who doesn't love the colorful lights everywhere? They open my heart. I love this season.
I do, too, and I love his interpretation of the whole fraught thing. I share it.
Would you consider sharing your fudge recipe(s)?
It's the one on the back of the Fluff tub. It has only let me down a couple of times -- including this weekend when the stuff didn't really harden. Oh well. Back to the fire to try again.