Posted on 11/19/2005 10:38:59 AM PST by My Favorite Headache
Ahhhhhhhh yes...the softer side of Sears. Upon my trip to the retail "giant" I walk by and notice the price of the Christmas Trees they were pushing...but oh...what is this? They are not called Christmas Trees...nope.
They are not called Holiday Trees...nope.
They are not called Festive Trees...nope.
They are called......................
WISHING TREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just the BLUE Spruce, LOL!
The implication of your post seems to be that because of the mere fact that the holiday of Christmas or the iconic tree would not be immediately recognized by the "original Christians" these things are somehow "less Christian". This, it seems to me, is to make a fetish out of Christian historicity. While the earliest Christians might not have recognized the forms of the celebration, they most certainly would have recognized and agreed with its true purpose and meaning, namely to affirm the Incarnation--which was, and is, the essential belief of all Christians everywhere and always.
Some informative reading on this subject of the roots of Christmas, from a Catholic perspective, in this article, THE ANTICHRIST AT THE MANGER (No, Virginia, Christmas isn't pagan). A snippet from the article:
The popular myth concerning the pagan origin of Christmas trees exemplifies this puritanical phobia. In reality the Christmas tree tradition is derived from the Paradise tree, which was adorned with apples on December 24 in honor of Adam and Eve, whose transgression is reversed by the coming of Jesus, the Second Adam (Rom. 5:12-19), on the next day. The tree was originally a stage prop used in medieval German plays of mankind's fall from grace, and in time people began the practice of having trees in their own homes on that day.
For what it's worth: If you or those reading this thread are interested in reading what the earliest Christians really believed and practiced, I highly recommend the following web sites and books. This will sound a bold claim, but for those who've never studied the writings of the Church Fathers, prepare yourselves for a life-changing experience:
The Early Church Fathers
Early Church Fathers - Additional Texts
EarlyChristianWritings.com
Faith of the Early Fathers Vols 1 -3
Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words
The Mass of the Early Christians
The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers
The Teachings of the Church Fathers
Your reference to pre-Nicene Christianity is most appreciated, and a good reminder that the heart of Christianity is an everyday expression of gratitude.
Even the pagan origin of the Christmas tree can't take away from the beauty and inspiration of its traditional evolution. To me, it symbolizes that even a teenie Christmas tree bulb has the power of the whole Hoover Dam behind it. It symbolizes freedom of the individual to worship God.
I'm glad stores do well at Christmastime. I love capitalism! It's what makes America work.
But capitalism is not what empowers America. Religious freedom does.
I think even Sears used to know that.
Thanks for the nice post TexasBlueBell. Glad to hear about this group. I like what they are trying to do.
I guess we should look forward to that later since their web site ( http://www.kay.com ) currently only has "click here to choose the perfect holiday gift" on the front page.
"Those who can't muster the courage to call it Christmas, won't get my Christmas dollars."
Very well said, and it is one reason that I do not miss living in the US anymore. The PC garbage is more then I can stand.
And you can get the "Zales 2005 Holiday Bear."
Festivus for the Rest of Us !!
And now for the feats of strength !
I haven't taken that step, but it has crossed my mind. If things get much worse I will have to look at it much harder.
I heard the guy who makes the upside down tree. He claimed it made it easier to displey ornaments at stores. THey cost $500 so i doubt anyone would buy one for home.
"Wishing Trees." :)
I WISH that people would come back to reality and get off this assinine kick. Oh well, that's their thing. OUr thing is and will be Merry Christmas. :)
If I want a donation, that would make me much happier than some useless present. I don't mind at all if someone wants to donate to some worthy charity. I think it is great
Dittos.
Thank you.
It's like Tiny Tim said, "Wish bless us every one!".
Yes, I like what they're doing too. Someone has to put a stop to the aclu's tactics.
Here's an interesting article, re: John Gibson's book about this subject -- a few snippets below:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gibson200510270839.asp
Silent Night, Secular Night
Is Christmas verboten?
"Christmas is under attack in such a sustained and strategized manner that there is, no doubt, a war on Christmas." So writes Fox News Channel host John Gibson in his new book, 'The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought.'"
......
"So in The War on Christmas I expose how that casual, accepted anti-Christian bias shows up once a year around Christmas when people in positions of petty power, such as school administrators, or municipal-hall managers, will suddenly pop up saying things like "We can't have that Christmas tree in here because it's too Christian." I had a long discussion with a city human-resources manager who said precisely that. What I find shocking is that people like that man do not hear the sound of their voices. Substitute any other religion for the word "Christian" and these very people would be up in arms with the cry of prejudice and bias, but if the bias is directed at Christians, it is perfectly acceptable."
........
"This issue of non Christians being confronted with Christianity wherever they go at Christmas time seems to me to be best answered by "Well... DUH!" It's a Christian holiday and it's a big one. Eighty-four percent of the country self identifies as Christian. Ninety-six percent of the country observes or celebrates Christmas in some form, if only slightly, so what would one expect? I think Christmas does require the forbearance of non-Christians, but I don't think it should be a big issue. Once again, the American tradition is tolerance, and I see no reason why tolerance should not be extended to the majority religion and its secularized symbols."
.........
"...[G]enerally there is an ACLU component to a Christmas controversy. There is either an outright suit brought by an ACLU lawyer on behalf of a complainant, or the threat of such a suit in the background of nearly all the stories I cover in my book, and generally I think you will find the ACLU weighing in on the "December Dilemma" every year."
Thanks for the post. Great material.
Good grief!
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