Christmas

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Sufjon

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Dear Friends:

The Christmas season is approaching quickly. I have been learning about Christianity from many of you over the past few months, so I was interested to know about some of the things you like best about Christmas from a spiritual perspective. I thought it would be a nice thing to share this time of year. For instance, are there certain traditions from your respective churches that make you feel most happy this time of year? For example, I have a friend who said as a child he would get the most spiritual feelings each week as another advent candle was lit. What are some of your memories and what makes you the happiest during the Christmas season? Are there certain songs you like best? Anything you would like to share is fine. All people of all faiths are welcome to share.

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Sufjon said:
Dear Friends:

The Christmas season is approaching quickly. I have been learning about Christianity from many of you over the past few months, so I was interested to know about some of the things you like best about Christmas from a spiritual perspective. I thought it would be a nice thing to share this time of year. For instance, are there certain traditions from your respective churches that make you feel most happy this time of year? For example, I have a friend who said as a child he would get the most spiritual feelings each week as another advent candle was lit. What are some of your memories and what makes you the happiest during the Christmas season? Are there certain songs you like best? Anything you would like to share is fine. All people of all faiths are welcome to share.

Your friend
Sufjon
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The birth of Jesus created a family. We share in Christmas first of all by worshiping a God who loved us so much that He became one of us, and then honoring Him by honoring our own family and friends. This was the day that light came into the world.

The celebration of the birth of our Lord is also a great time to pray for those mothers who are contemplating having an abortion.
 
I hate Christmas. This is the time of year when parents lie to their children or allow them to believe a lie. It truly amazes me how common place the Santa lie is.
 
Sufjon said:
Dear Friends:

The Christmas season is approaching quickly. I have been learning about Christianity from many of you over the past few months, so I was interested to know about some of the things you like best about Christmas from a spiritual perspective. I thought it would be a nice thing to share this time of year. For instance, are there certain traditions from your respective churches that make you feel most happy this time of year? For example, I have a friend who said as a child he would get the most spiritual feelings each week as another advent candle was lit. What are some of your memories and what makes you the happiest during the Christmas season? Are there certain songs you like best? Anything you would like to share is fine. All people of all faiths are welcome to share.

Your friend
Sufjon
Click to expand...
Hi,my friend Surjon…

Well, Christmas is a time of giving…a time of joy…it is one of the happiest times in the Church calendar, in anticipation of Jesus the Savior’s birth. In the Roman Catholic Church, in anticipation of the birth, the 4 Sundays before are called Advent, in anticipation and preparation for the Nativity. And yes, as per your friend, we light the Advent candles, one for each week.

I hope you are doing good in your study of Christianity.

pablo
 
pablope said:
Hi,my friend Surjon…

Well, Christmas is a time of giving…a time of joy…it is one of the happiest times in the Church calendar, in anticipation of Jesus the Savior’s birth. In the Roman Catholic Church, in anticipation of the birth, the 4 Sundays before are called Advent, in anticipation and preparation for the Nativity. And yes, as per your friend, we light the Advent candles, one for each week.

I hope you are doing good in your study of Christianity.

pablo
Click to expand...
Hi pablope: It’s good to hear from you again. Is there a part of the Christmas season or tradition that makes you happy in a more special way than others, or is it the whole experience? BTW, yes my studies are coming along well, and as usual, I appreciate all the help and (name removed by moderator)ut.

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Christmas has meant many things to me over the course of my life,
with the common thread being centered on family.

We always had a beautiful Christmas tree, with many ornaments that were very personal and meaningful. The Nativity Scene was always in a prominent spot. We celebrated with family and friends, feasting on special treats, talking, playing games- making memories that I carry with me to this day.

Tha past few years the Advent & Christmas seasons have taken a different meaning for me,and I have dispensed with many of the American, secular Christmas trappings, i.e., the tree, big parties, over-spending on gifts…
I now see the season of Advent as a time of joyous anticipation, and love using the readings from daily Mass, and from the Liturgy of the Hours in my prayer time. The whole idea of “incarnation”, God becoming flesh, is such an awesome gift, and I have learned to appreicate this time.

There is also much symbolism for me in this time of year. Mty father died on the Winter Solstice, the darkest night of the year, and Christmas was a very special time for me and him, as we had lots of little traditions that we shared together. I now look at this time of darkenss as a “necessary evil”, if you will, for a better appreciation of the 'Light" to come, that of my Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this.

Peace be with you.
.
 
To me, Christmas is a time of celebration and family - this will be my first Christmas as a RCIA candidate, and for a few weeks will actually be away from my parish. To be with my family who live interstate from me, I know I won’t be able to attend Christmas Eve at Church, as my family aren’t religious. So I will be saying my own prayers for Christmas in private, and will be attended church as much as i can.
 
Sufjon said:
Hi pablope: It’s good to hear from you again. Is there a part of the Christmas season or tradition that makes you happy in a more special way than others, or is it the whole experience? BTW, yes my studies are coming along well, and as usual, I appreciate all the help and (name removed by moderator)ut.

Your friend
Sufjon
Click to expand...
Hi, Sufjon…

In my childhood years, it was the receiving part…the gifts…but prior, attending the Mass and the anticipation of opening our gifts…

Now, it is the giving part…but also, attending the Mass, most of all…and also decorating our house and putting on Christmas lights with my kids…

pablo
 
My first Christmas Mass as an RCIA was special…both my husband and son are Catholic…the Church was beautiful…the life size navity was beyond belief…Mothers brought their children to say a prayer for the Christ Child…

It showed me what Christmas was suppose to be…the celebration of the birth of our Lord…

This year I will be able to take Communion which will make this so special…each Mass is special for me…

Our family is scattered…so no big dinners…just a small one…but this year our Lord will be there with us.

stormy
 
I really don’t have any spiritual memories about Christmas other than the most recent ones of attending midnight Mass. Of course, there was the few times when a prayer was actually said before dinner on Christmas or the few comments about a random nativity scene. My family always held Christian beliefs (with the exceptions of a few people) but my family has almost never consistently practiced Christianity. 😦 As far as I am aware, I am the only one who ever attends church in my family.
 
Holly3278 said:
I really don’t have any spiritual memories about Christmas other than the most recent ones of attending midnight Mass. Of course, there was the few times when a prayer was actually said before dinner on Christmas or the few comments about a random nativity scene. My family always held Christian beliefs (with the exceptions of a few people) but my family has almost never consistently practiced Christianity. 😦 As far as I am aware, I am the only one who ever attends church in my family.
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I know that feeling, if I went to Mass, mum will be questioning where I am going and stuff. I am not ready to tell her that I am becoming Catholic yet…she was baptized Anglican, and did attend church and baptized me probably 5-10 years after she stopped attending. But I think she won’t take it lightly…
 
Ashurie said:
I know that feeling, if I went to Mass, mum will be questioning where I am going and stuff. I am not ready to tell her that I am becoming Catholic yet…she was baptized Anglican, and did attend church and baptized me probably 5-10 years after she stopped attending. But I think she won’t take it lightly…
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I’m sorry to hear that Ashurie. You are in my prayers.
 
Sufjon said:
Dear Friends:

The Christmas season is approaching quickly. I have been learning about Christianity from many of you over the past few months, so I was interested to know about some of the things you like best about Christmas from a spiritual perspective. I thought it would be a nice thing to share this time of year. For instance, are there certain traditions from your respective churches that make you feel most happy this time of year? For example, I have a friend who said as a child he would get the most spiritual feelings each week as another advent candle was lit. What are some of your memories and what makes you the happiest during the Christmas season? Are there certain songs you like best? Anything you would like to share is fine. All people of all faiths are welcome to share.

Your friend
Sufjon
Click to expand...
Christmas is a time of remembering God’s promise of salvation for mankind that he should send his own Son into this world to be just like any of us but to be led to the cross so that you and I can be saved. Unless one can fathom the depth of this deed of God, Christmas is meaningless. All the celebrations, the candles and the Christmas trees are nothing – they are only human inventions that we can understand but the ultimate objective is to remember the unique promise of God, that he is **“God with us” ** in his Son Jesus. Then next would be – what is our response to this unique love of God? This is the essence of Christmas message and to be acted upon and to change Christians.

Why dwell on the meaningless? We do those things for our human birthdays but here we are remembering the incarnation of God on earth.

God bless.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
Christmas has meant many things to me over the course of my life,
with the common thread being centered on family.

We always had a beautiful Christmas tree, with many ornaments that were very personal and meaningful. The Nativity Scene was always in a prominent spot. We celebrated with family and friends, feasting on special treats, talking, playing games- making memories that I carry with me to this day.

Tha past few years the Advent & Christmas seasons have taken a different meaning for me,and I have dispensed with many of the American, secular Christmas trappings, i.e., the tree, big parties, over-spending on gifts…
I now see the season of Advent as a time of joyous anticipation, and love using the readings from daily Mass, and from the Liturgy of the Hours in my prayer time. The whole idea of “incarnation”, God becoming flesh, is such an awesome gift, and I have learned to appreicate this time.

There is also much symbolism for me in this time of year. Mty father died on the Winter Solstice, the darkest night of the year, and Christmas was a very special time for me and him, as we had lots of little traditions that we shared together. I now look at this time of darkenss as a “necessary evil”, if you will, for a better appreciation of the 'Light" to come, that of my Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this.

Peace be with you.
.
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Hi Oneofthewomen: Thank you for sharing that. The fact that you have found deep meanings from the symbolism that touch a chord in your own life is another gift. That’s beautiful!

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Perhaps the second most important item in the Catholic Calander… Christmas gives people joy, and I remembered once my cathedral priest said, that “Whether they are Christians or not, Catholics or Protestant, Old or Young, Christmas is still celebrated worldwide.” And this, is one of the best examples of how God loves us all. Remember to prepare yourself for the coming of Christ, and honour him like the three wise men did.

Obviously Christianity starts when Christ is born (before that it was just monotheism I suppose), but as a note, Easter is the most important thing in the liturgy year. In a way, Christmas is also a reminder for us to anticipate the biggest sacrifice in the world. The purple gowns you’ll see in mass signifies repentance.
 
Dear Friends: Looks like this thread is about to die out, but not before some wonderful insights and personal experiences were posted. Many thanks to each of you who shared your thoughts and memories.

Your friend
Sufjon
 
Ashurie said:
I know that feeling, if I went to Mass, mum will be questioning where I am going and stuff. I am not ready to tell her that I am becoming Catholic yet…she was baptized Anglican, and did attend church and baptized me probably 5-10 years after she stopped attending. But I think she won’t take it lightly…
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Ashurie…my suggestion is to check the local parishes in your area, some parishes, like mine, have a late afternoon mass (like 4 pm) and another late evening one (6pm) during Christmas eve, and the traditional midnight one.

I like the time counter on your post…i can sense your anticipation of Easter…my prayers for you…:highprayer:
 
Sufjon said:
Dear Friends:

The Christmas season is approaching quickly. I have been learning about Christianity from many of you over the past few months, so I was interested to know about some of the things you like best about Christmas from a spiritual perspective. I thought it would be a nice thing to share this time of year. For instance, are there certain traditions from your respective churches that make you feel most happy this time of year? For example, I have a friend who said as a child he would get the most spiritual feelings each week as another advent candle was lit. What are some of your memories and what makes you the happiest during the Christmas season? Are there certain songs you like best? Anything you would like to share is fine. All people of all faiths are welcome to share.

Your friend
Sufjon
Click to expand...
As a child, I was so active in the church as a musician. There’s something so special about the music of this time of year. Other hymns are bantered about year round but we take that special time to dust off the same songs and rejoice together in them It’s the time in church when everyone knows the words and tune and can sing from their heart.

I love that those same hymns are heard while I’m out shopping. It amuses me to see someone with a Pagan or Jewish necklace on humming along to Silent Night or God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

For me, personally, it’s all about family. Not the giving and receiving, but the time spent with loved ones following family traditions. When Mary gave birth, she created the family of the Church. The Church’s traditions are so beautiful and it never ceases to fascinate me how families have added to those traditions year after year in their own homes.

This will be our first “Catholic Christmas”. Our first year putting up a nativity despite being a Christian family all along. I’m looking forward to reviving some of the traditions of my Catholic family members that I had discarded in the name of Protestantism.

But most of all, for the first time in 8 years of marriage, I will have my husband sitting by my side at Christmas Midnight Mass. There’s no feeling in the world that can replace what that moment will mean to me.
 
HAnne said:
As a child, I was so active in the church as a musician. There’s something so special about the music of this time of year. Other hymns are bantered about year round but we take that special time to dust off the same songs and rejoice together in them It’s the time in church when everyone knows the words and tune and can sing from their heart.

I love that those same hymns are heard while I’m out shopping. It amuses me to see someone with a Pagan or Jewish necklace on humming along to Silent Night or God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

For me, personally, it’s all about family. Not the giving and receiving, but the time spent with loved ones following family traditions. When Mary gave birth, she created the family of the Church. The Church’s traditions are so beautiful and it never ceases to fascinate me how families have added to those traditions year after year in their own homes.

This will be our first “Catholic Christmas”. Our first year putting up a nativity despite being a Christian family all along. I’m looking forward to reviving some of the traditions of my Catholic family members that I had discarded in the name of Protestantism.

But most of all, for the first time in 8 years of marriage, I will have my husband sitting by my side at Christmas Midnight Mass. There’s no feeling in the world that can replace what that moment will mean to me.
Click to expand...
Hi HAnne: Thanks for sharing that. I think music is a great way to bring out the way we feel, and it makes sense that music would play a big role in Christmas spirit for many people.

Thanks again

Your friend
Sufjon
 
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