Commercialism

[mrs_abbott]

Is anyone else agitated at the commercialism surrounding Christmas or am I alone on this? I think the message of Christmas actually being Christ’s birthday has gotten lost.

 

[Della]

Every year someone (it’s your turn! ) starts a thread about the commercialism of Christmas. I think you’ve started one before anyone else ever has, but that’s understandable when Christmas decorations have been up and on sale since August!

Actually, I don’t have a problem with it. Oh I do deplore all the hype selling toys and other goodies in ads. But, seeing all the decorations reminds me that the pivotal event in human history was the Incarnation. And, it’s a yearly witness to the fact that Jesus existed and that he changed everything. It may even help a few people come back to the faith. Anything that does that is okay with me!

 

[lotusblossom]

It is really sad. And continues to seem to get even less and less about Christ’s birth and more and more about presents and “me, me, me.” The saddest thing for me is the fact that no one talks about Advent or preparation for Christ’s coming, and then takes everything down on the 26th when really the 25th is just the beginning!

However, with good Christians who remember Christ’s birth in this season, there is multitudes of hope that He will always be remembered and someday it will turn around.

In my family, we don’t start doing most everything til the week before Christmas, with the exception of baking and of course Advent things like the wreath and candles and meditations. We don’t take anything down til the Epiphany too.

 

[JimO]

I have a different take on it myself. It is true that Christmas is commercialized in the World, but it is still Christmas to the faithful. It’s a wonder to me that it hasn’t been largely ignored by the secular world like Easter. I see Christmas as that point of contact between the worldly and the spiritual. People have a feeling of longing for goodness and perfection at Christmas. Think about it, people place unreasonable expectations on the holiday - they want idea family gatherings - they want a perfect celebration of something intangible. People want a savior whether they realize it or not and Christmas reminds most people at some level that there is hope. They might not know that their hope is in Christ, but that twinge they feel may some day lead them to the manger and to repentance and to salvation.

I’m not so much bothered by the commercialism, but I am concerned about the secularization of Christmas by those who not only want to smother the manger with gift wrapping, but who want to remove it entirely.

 

[juno24]

Is anyone else agitated at the commercialism surrounding Christmas or am I alone on this? I think the message of Christmas actually being Christ’s birthday has gotten lost.

I really am not bothered by the commercial aspect of Christmas. In fact, I LOVE going into the stores and hearing the music, seeing the decorations, watching the kids waiting for Santa-- I enjoy all of it. I do not lose sight of the fact that the Advent and Christmas seasons are all about the birth of our Lord, because the fact of the matter is (for me, anyway) that the feelings of anticipation and pure joy all remind me that we are to become like the children and look for and welcome Jesus with a child-like joy and innocence.

 

[CathCentrist]

Nope - not agitated at all. Its small stuff to me that I ignore on a yearly basis along with Bill Oreillys “war on christmas” blather that should soon be popping up as well.

 

[mrs_abbott]

Every year someone (it’s your turn! ) starts a thread about the commercialism of Christmas. I think you’ve started one before anyone else ever has, but that’s understandable when Christmas decorations have been up and on sale since August!

That’s what I’m talking about! I think that Christmas decorations need to wait until the day after Thanksgiving, which is supposed to be “the biggest bargain shopping day of the year”.
I love Christmas to death, don’t get me wrong. I like Santa Claus, reindeer, snow, garland, tinsel and all that. I’m just sick of it being advertised for 4 months when essentially Christmas is only a day, in commercial society.

 

[mrs_abbott]

I’m not so much bothered by the commercialism, but I am concerned about the secularization of Christmas by those who not only want to smother the manger with gift wrapping, but who want to remove it entirely.

But that’s what worries me about the commercialism that’s taken place surrounding this holiday.

 

[CathCentrist]

If its the Xmas selling that gets earlier every year, yes, I agree its annoying. To me, it reveals the lie that the economy is strong. If its so great why the need to start the buying fever earlier and earlier. Thats what I believe. I was at Costco and for the first time, they had out Halloween, Thanksgiving AND XMas all at the same time. Its crazy and shows greedy capitalism run amok

 

[Della]

If its the Xmas selling that gets earlier every year, yes, I agree its annoying. To me, it reveals the lie that the economy is strong. If its so great why the need to start the buying fever earlier and earlier. Thats what I believe. I was at Costco and for the first time, they had out Halloween, Thanksgiving AND XMas all at the same time. Its crazy and shows greedy capitalism run amok

Actually, it denotes a strong economy–one that the stock holders want to make even better for them. So, the pressure is on for corporations to make bigger and bigger profits. It’s a complicated issue, but most retail and outlet businesses make most of their yearly income from Christmas sales, which in turn means they have to please their stock holders all the more when last year was a good year. But, I agree that selling all 3 holiday items at the same time is pushing it. Unfortunately, you can’t pass a law against selling items long before a holiday. I have often wished it was possible, though.

 

[Kevin42]

I hate that the word “Christmas” has become a secular word and for the majority of society does not instantly make people think of Christ. Maybe I will call it something different this year to denote the true Christian meaning and origin of the day. Perhaps just go latin and call it “Die Natalis Christi”.

 

[mark_a]

Is anyone else agitated at the commercialism surrounding Christmas or am I alone on this? I think the message of Christmas actually being Christ’s birthday has gotten lost.

All the decorations and lights are nice. But seeing them reminds me that somehow its gonna cost me some money.

Sincerely,
Ebenezer Scrooge

 

[CathCentrist]

Actually, it denotes a strong economy–one that the stock holders want to make even better for them. So, the pressure is on for corporations to make bigger and bigger profits. It’s a complicated issue, but most retail and outlet businesses make most of their yearly income from Christmas sales, which in turn means they have to please their stock holders all the more when last year was a good year. But, I agree that selling all 3 holiday items at the same time is pushing it. Unfortunately, you can’t pass a law against selling items long before a holiday. I have often wished it was possible, though.

I disagree.

 

[Pug]

Is anyone else agitated at the commercialism surrounding Christmas or am I alone on this? I think the message of Christmas actually being Christ’s birthday has gotten lost.

I think there are two separate holidays now. I don’t get agitated with secular people celebrating the holiday of gifts. Welllll, okay, I get a bit sick of the music after a bit.

I find it more schizophrenic within the family, not out in the shopping world. We have Christmas, but it has no relation to Jesus anymore. I find it unhappy to go. It isn’t what it traditionally was, so what I remember has vanished. I don’t enjoy the replacement. I like dinner, but not the gift ceremony.

 

[CatholicSam]

Last year we started doing Christmas shopping early so that we’re out of the tizzy during Advent I don’t like that the Christmas things are in stores before Halloween, but in a way it makes it convenient for all of us faithful Christians to be able to do the shopping early so we’re free to enjoy Advent/Christmas when it comes. It’s like getting your housework done during the week so that on Sunday you’re not running around trying to catch up. Of course if you buy it in October, you don’t have to put it up until closer to the time I’ve already started writing (but not sending!) Christmas cards and want to be all done by next week. We’ll be all done Christmas/birthday (my son and I both have Dec. birthdays) shopping before Thanksgiving!

 

[mrs_abbott]

Last year we started doing Christmas shopping early so that we’re out of the tizzy during Advent I don’t like that the Christmas things are in stores before Halloween, but in a way it makes it convenient for all of us faithful Christians to be able to do the shopping early so we’re free to enjoy Advent/Christmas when it comes. It’s like getting your housework done during the week so that on Sunday you’re not running around trying to catch up. Of course if you buy it in October, you don’t have to put it up until closer to the time I’ve already started writing (but not sending!) Christmas cards and want to be all done by next week. We’ll be all done Christmas/birthday (my son and I both have Dec. birthdays) shopping before Thanksgiving!

I do some shopping too before the holiday season is officially here because we live on a tight budget so presents need to be bought early.
That’s a good idea with the cards.
I have no problem getting ready for Christmas early but I’m sick of seeing Christmas override Thanksgiving. No one even advertises for Thanksgiving anymore. A simple “remember to give thanks” would be sufficient enough because the only stores making money off of that holiday are the grocery stores.

 

[catsrus]

I’m actually looking forward to the Christmas ads knocking the political ads off the air next week.

I do agree that it’s totally commercial.
Secularists see Christmas as a month long intensive shopping spree, topped by one day.
We see Christmas as Advent, THE day and THE season - clear up to and including 1/6.

 

[didymus]

Is anyone else agitated at the commercialism surrounding Christmas or am I alone on this? I think the message of Christmas actually being Christ’s birthday has gotten lost.

Moest proposal:
Since we really don’t know when the Nativity occurred and Dec. 25th is a tradition. Therefore let’s reschedule our religious observance of Christ’s birth and leave everyone free to enjoy the capitalist orgy known as Xmas guilt-free.

Sicen Easter follows the vernal equinox, maybe we can move Christmas to around the autumnal equinox (Northern hemisphere).

 

[mrs_abbott]

Moest proposal:
Since we really don’t know when the Nativity occurred and Dec. 25th is a tradition. Therefore let’s reschedule our religious observance of Christ’s birth and leave everyone free to enjoy the capitalist orgy known as Xmas guilt-free.

Sicen Easter follows the vernal equinox, maybe we can move Christmas to around the autumnal equinox (Northern hemisphere).

I didn’t suggest the holiday be moved. I expressed my dismay on how commercial it’s gotten and asked if you agree or disagree. Please stay on topic, if you’re going to post.