How do you celebrate Christmas?

[Hats Off]

Here is a video and a news story regarding how our congregation views Christmas.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryla ... story.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryla ... story.html

Nice!

[Wade]

Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?

[KingdomBuilder]

Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?

The picture thing seems weird. Never seen this before.

[Bootstrap]

I rather like the Nine Lessons and Carols, which is a simple retelling of the Christmas story that alternates Bible readings and hymns. I haven't seen that much in Mennonite circles, though ...

[Josh]

Especially with those who do decorate and etc. for Christmas, how comfortable would you all be in a church with two little trees with lights, wreaths, and something about the gift of Christmas on a banner above the pulpit that also includes a picture of a child giving a brightly colored wrapped present?

I wouldn’t care, outside of generally thinking churches and homes should be kept plain. But I don’t take particular offence to seasonal decorations if a church is not kept plain.

[Bootstrap]

What would be good goals for a Christmas celebration? Suppose we had never heard of a Christmas celebration, but after reading the accounts in the Gospels we decided it would be a good thing to celebrate. What would you want that kind of celebration to accomplish?

To me, one of the most important things is that we actually read these passages from the Bible together. And I really like singing some of the Christmas carols, they are some of the best hymns we have, and they include a lot of the Christmas story.

[RZehr]

We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.

[gcdonner]

We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.

Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?

[RZehr]

We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.

Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?

Who is the birthday boy of December 23, 24 or 25th?

[gcdonner]

We get together with family and usually have a gift exchange with a set dollar value of about $30. Sometimes we leave the adults out and just have a gift for each child. Sometimes the parents don't buy any gifts but the grandma will give gifts to the grandchildren. Books seem to be a common gift. We have a big meal. The children all play, and the adults might play or visit or debate Christmas. In the evening we might sing a few songs and have finger foods and leftovers. Usually there will be someone present that does not have family in the area to be with.
We might decorate the inside of the house with some greens and a poinsettia, and a nativity scene. No tree, or lights. Some might have a wreath on the door. Some will not decorate at all or give gifts.

In cases of large families spread across different states with different schedules and obligations it is very common to get together on the 24th or Saturday or Sunday instead of getting together on the 25th.

Sooo, what does the Birthday Boy get out of all of this? So much of what is called Christmas is self centered. How do all the things above relate to Christ himself?

This year ask the question, "What did you give the Savior?" instead of, "What did You get for Christmas?"

Think about it?

Who is the birthday boy of December 23, 24 or 25th?

If you don't know, then why do you celebrate "his birthday"? As far as I am concerned it is the Winter Solstice celebration and has nothing to do with Christ.