The Greatest Story Ever Sold - How Materialism Became a Religion

Ama Nazra

The easiest way to put a stop to something is simply say 'no'. We don't have to give in to other people's opinions, advertising, and celebrations. Christians don't celebrate the Muslim holidays, so why should we be forced to celebrate Stuffness? (love the name! :-) ) Oh no, we 'choose' to fall under the spell of materialism (old saying 'keeping up with the Jones' next door), and if we don't .. which, gazing around me, even I have fallen into at times .. computer, printer, lots of books on a multitude of subjects .. we are seen as unChristian, unfriendly, lacking in some way. I don't feel the lack.

Its summer down here in Oz, and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving .. this is the first year I have seen 'Black Friday' advertised on our tvs .. so sadly that has moved into the Australian culture. I doubt it will vanish again, given that people either love sales, or can only afford to buy at sales, which is a nastier reality, as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And our government has just announced a billion dollar crack-down on people who have been paid far too much 'support' of various sorts over the years, either by defrauding the government, or because the government itself stuffed up. Great time to make them repay - right before Christmas.

God bless us all. We can certainly use a blessing or two. We seldom get it from those around us, for the most part.

Lee

My father was a methodist minister. At Christmas he did a series of sermons entitled, "Let's get Christ out of Christmas." Exactly what this article is about. Forgetting about the birth of our Lord for an on sale $15.00 sweater. Christmas carols with religious theme were switched out for Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the red nose reindeer. Schools changed Christmas vacation to winter break. Don't say, "Merry Christmas" it's happy holidays. I don't know what the parishioners at our church thought when daddy did that series of sermons. But a very little boy who still sits on the right side in the third pew from the front. Never forgot his Dad's words. Daddy spoke that series in 1969.

Rev. Don

What a great topic and close to my heart! When I was young, in my early twenties, I ran away from the US in seek of truth. I ended up in Valle de Angeles, Honduras. Just outside of Tegucigalpa, high in the piney mountains of Honduras was a mission run by a 7th Day Adventist church. I volunteered there as a trim carpenter, while my wife volunteered as a registered nurse. It is a hand-to-mouth coffee growing region, supported by subsistance laborers. This is where I learned the meaning of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we visited the home of a single mother and were feted by her 5 year old blind son singing Christmas songs to us. He was a marvelous singer given any age and his mother was understandably very proud of him and his gift of song, which she rightfully claimed to be a gift from God. As we sat on the dirt floor of her one room house, he sang as though it were a performance at a grand European concert hall. It was stunning and although it was in 1977, I have never forgotten his performance, their love for each other, their graciousness, and the childs voice. There were no piles of presents in their home, no laser lights bathing their home in light, no Christmas wreaths tied to the front of a Ford Expedition, no turkey in the oven. Just a child singing Christmas songs to 3 admiring adults on Christmas Eve. Life expectancy in this region of Honduras is below global average. Malaria, unsanitary drinking water and the crushing weight of abject poverty take a heavy toll. However, for this moment in time, all was suspended and we became collective celebrants in the wonder of Christmas. The hope of resurrection, reflecting upon God's glorious grace for mankind, and sharing this gift given to us by a child. For a long time afterwards, I made a point of seeking out the poorest church I could find to celebrate Christmas Eve. Looking into the faces of the worshippers and seeing the hope of God's grace upon the faces of the celebrants as they shared with each other the joy in the birth of the Son of God. As the years passed, my ritual of connecting with others on Chrisrmas Eve has lost its place in my life. Caught up in the "business of Christmas". It was there I learned the meaning of Christmas.

Reverend Krystina S.

Lee, please be reminded that not everyone is a Christian who celebrates Christmas. Therefore, it is kind and sensitive to respect others, including their right not to be forced into religious memes--and certainly not the government, which is a secular entity. It is disheartening to see that old trope of "keeping Christ in Christmas," as if we are a monolithic society/planet. The militaristic pressure in foisting Christofascism upon others is UnChristian, to be sure. While I came up in a Christian tradition (Eastern Orthodox,) we were always taught to be respectful of the beliefs of others. I have family members who are athiests, agnostics, Jewish, and Buddhist, to name a few. In Ann Arbor, Michigan there is a religious building which is BOTH a Christian church AND a Jewish synagogue. THAT requires sensitivity to others!!! I am completely against the materialism and greediness of the Christmas/Winter Shopaholic frenzy, but DISAGREE that this means we need to replace materialism with pushing Christ on everyone. I think, for myself, the best Holiday Season cards are those which call for PEACE ON EARTH. Biblical, yes. But not necessarily so. The meaning is transcendant. As an interfaith minister, it is my responsibility to demonstrate magnanimity and interfaith acceptance and love.

Pastor B Stevens

First of December was not the month Jesus was born at all , 2nd I no longer shop because the entire ideal of Christmas means high stress shopping for gifts is just wrong even the Christmas tree is a pagan Druid religious symbol . We're I was a child in the early 60 1 toy and several clothing articles was it that was all we received and happily . Today Christmas is nothing but a secular holiday all about profit driven system . I don't like the holiday anylonger it has nothing to do with Jesus ! Pastor Brenten Stevens

Carol Amina

I give all year to the people I love when the mood strikes me. I am not christian and refuse to celebrate a holiday that is supposed to religious.
I am retired now but used to be a manager in a Mental Health Non Pro. We worked with families that had children with mental and emotional challenges. This time of year our whole company would go into over drive. Fund raising and all that BS so that the "kids" would get gifts. Well alone with all that they would force holiday parties on us. Giving to people I didnt give a crap about just to keep from having the boss breathing down my neck. Forced to decorate and all of that. Now I am my 87 year old fathers full time caregiver. He has Parkinson's and Dementia. Bless his heart he loves xmas. He has fond memories of when he was a child and wanted me to put of lights and decorate. What could I say but sure dad! I hate this time of year! But dad is happy and that makes my heart glad.

Carrie

As a Witch I traditionally celebrate Yule. When we exchange gifts it is usually at the feast we hold and it is food and drink. This is the turn of the year, to rejoice at the birth of God to Goddess. It is a time of coming together with community. I travel to my sister's house when they celebrate Christmas because that is a family day to me, since they are Christians, and it is a day for the family and children, good food and laughter. We never stress over gifts, I give my family gift certificates for things they may need throughout the year, including certificates to grocery stores. I only go out of my way to buy gifts for Birthdays.
I would much rather make something to show my love than to push and shove amoung harried, rude materialists.

Stephen Wehrenberg

It's at the feet of Edward Bernays, grandfather of advertising (and propaganda). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q-3qwEDyPM

Bro. James the Apostate, OSHSF

The most ironic development over the obvious hijacking of the solstice holidays is the way Fundamentalists have tried to claim Christmas as having always been theirs, and it's somehow about precious baby "Jesus™". From an historical perspective, Christmas was a high feast day in the liturgical calendar, observed as an holy day of obligation. The puritans and other radicalized protestants who left Europe adamantly avoided anything and everything 'liturgical'.

Materialism and greed is evident as mega-ministries have become booming industry and nothing more than profitable tax shelters. Possessions are a sign of God's abundant blessings, especially for churches. Perception is, the more the more anointed! As long as property is being used, it is tax exempt. Christianity™ has become nothing to do with altruistic/charitable actions, tending to the needs of the sick, poor, or any of society's widows and orphans. 'Those people' are now considered "takers" in the most fashionable Christian™ social circles, and to help any of them would be considered codependent and enabling 'those people'.

From one perspective, one might argue this is the hijacking of Christianity by Capitalism, and an attempt by their religious authorities to force their religious materialism and excessive lifestyle beliefs on the entire Society.

The Church™ hijacked the solstice celebrations, now the Christians™have hijacked the Church™. Instead of putting 'Christ™' back in 'Christmas™', while forcing their superstitions and beliefs on everyone else, perhaps some of these radicalized fundamentalist cults should focus on putting their 'Christ™' back in 'Christian™' first.

rabbi jim

rabbi jim: A well stated article, and quite truthful. I have always embraced the spiritual viewpoint of Christmas, even though I am basically Jewish by faith. I am a firm follower of Yeshua of Nazareth and my celebration of Christmas is devoted to his birth and Christian Church service observance. Christmas is a time to worship God and celebrate Yeshua's birthday. Buy some Myrrh and Frankincense and present these fine gifts to the new born Babe in the Nativity scene in your favorite church. That is truly a gift worth giving. Merry Christmas Yeshua!!!!!!

Keith Andreetti

The festival of Christmas originated when the Christian church adopted and adapted the Roman Saturnalia celebrations. They did this as Christianity began take over the Roman world, because it was a festival that people enjoyed and were loath to give up. The Saturnalia involved gift-giving, feasting, drunkenness, license for slaves and underlings and conspicuous consumption. So, I think 'Stuffmas' has a longer pedigree than Christmas and it has good claim to incorporate the 'true meaning' of the festivities. Of course the nativity is a beautiful and powerful story (that also has pre-Christian origins), but, as a couple of other commentators suggest, Christians do not have a monopoly on Christmas or the right to tell others how to enjoy it. P.S. To those who base their claims of ownership on the fact that the word Christmas incorporates 'Christ', I would point out that 'Eostr' is a pagan goddess and I haven't heard any pagans bitching about the way Christians have appropriated the word!

emm

Merry Christmas! Why do we rush to incorporate other religious celebrations in the second most important Holy Day in Christianity? I don't support the buying frenzy at all. It should be away to reflect on the idea of God giving his only son to eventually die for our redemption. I'd like to know more about the celebrations of other cultures and religions but their meanings have been obliterated in the efficiency of inclusion. Merry Christmas! And joy and happiness to our fellow man around the world.

Ryan Suter

Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Materialism. You may be overlooking the very real fact that Mahalakshmi is the Mother and Goddess of this Universe (and that other universes may be guided by different forces.) Mahalakhsmi/Lakshmi is the Goddess of Materialism, Wealth, Beauty, Love, Luck, Fertility, and a lot of other things that this our Universe (All is Brahman) really enjoy. There is such a thing as domain in religion and this Universe is a Hindu Universe (All is Brahman) and Mahalakshmi is the Mother and Goddess of this Universe.

I think if these people were really that Christian they would "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness" and go INSIDE OF THEMSELVES because according to Jesus "the Kingdom is within you." Then they would not be in this materialist universe they would then be closer to where they belong by their Religions correct Domain.

Namaste, Ryan S.

THOMAS H.

HOW IRONIC IT IS THAT YOU WOULD PRINT THE "FAKE NEWS" STORY WITH THE "STUFFMAS" STORY. IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE TESTING US TO SEE WHAT WE BELIEVE OR DON'T BELIEVE. SURE. NOWADAYS SANTA HAS A BIGGER PUBLIC RELATIONS ARMY THEN THE CHURCH BUT WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN WHO PRAYS TO SANTA FOR HELP?

CRAIG

The funny thing is I grew up in a household where organized religion (Christianity) was suspect-both of my parents had bad experiences in churches at younger ages and we just grew up in a house where suspicion was the best you could label Christianity. However, we still celebrated Christmas. Go figure.

As for me, my parents did encourage me to find my own truth and religion, and I have delved into every religion (including Christianity) and philosophical thought I could find. I still celebrate Christmas.

I do think the holiday has too much focus on the gifts, but then look who is doing most of that pushing: corporations who want their bottom line to look nice at the end of the year (and small businesses who are trying to economically survive).

I like the idea behind remembering people who mean something to you by getting them a gift. The sentiment is--you mean something to me and I appreciate you being in my life so I got you something. I like that meaning of the season. And for me, Santa Claus has always embodied that--you get something for others, help those who don't have enough, and spend time doing for others. That in and of itself is enough to keep me enjoying the season.

I try to block out most of the commercialism and the push to buy, buy, buy. As others have said, you can't listen to the media and the ads. Celebrate the season (or not) however you feel necessary and don't worry about others. That's how to stop the bombardment of over commercializing--I still look to the Peanuts this time of year and follow in the ways of Charlie Brown. I'm going to get a nice little tree even if it's not big and pink and aluminum, because that's the way I want to celebrate.

Russ Hjelm

Seems that far too many of us have lost the ability to relax and enjoy ourselves and others. Whatever the Christmas/Holiday tradition we celebrate, the general theme of something new coming is fairly universal. And yes, even the birth of Christ entailed something new coming. The passing of the old, the welcoming of the new was supposed to be a time of reflection and celebration with friends and family. Good food, good drink, good friends, and maybe a gift or two exchanged. Now we're so busy trying to outdo each other that we're too exhausted and stressed to enjoy anything. Now matter what tradition we celebrate we simply need to stop trying to impress each other, stop trying to blame each other for wrong beliefs, or whatever, and simply determine we're going to enjoy life and each other. If we lose the ability to do that then we've lost everything, and it doesn't matter what we believe.

GM REEVE

SINCE DECEMBER 25TH IS THE DAY WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR LIRD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, AND NO ONE KNOWS THE EXACT DATE, I CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH ON DECEMBER 25. IF I GIVE A GIFT TO SOMEONE, ITS THE ACT OF GIVING THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO ME LIKE I GIVE TO PEOPLE LESS FORTUNATE, ALL YEAR ROUND. I USE CHRISTMAS TO ALSO GIVE A GIFT TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION OF SOMEONE. I DO NOT WORSHIP STRANGE GODS. I ONLY WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE GOD OF THE HOLY BIBLE AND I PREACH THE GOSPEL. I DO NOT FOLLOW MAN I FOLLOW CHRIST AND NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO JUDGE MY HEART. ONLY CHRIST HIMSELF.

eric k

1st off greatly written article, thank you

It is very true which is the worst thing we all know several that celebrate this GROWING HOLIDAY, forget new. And to make matters worse most of us celebrate this festival,, MERRY CHRISTMAS

Pastor Robert Moore

I grew up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania where my Father and I would go to a nursery on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to pick out the tree for our house and 2 potted trees for our Methodist Church. At church we would have a Jesus Birthday party, we walked the town singing carols and went to area nursing homes to sing for the shut ins. Material things were never high on our list. We were taught that it was always better to give than receive. Society has replaced Christ with the letter X. People need to place Christ back in their daily lives. By doing that the holidays would take a new meaning, or should I say that the holidays would take on more of its original meaning. Merry Christmas to all and may God's blessings surround all.

Bob Anderson

As an atheist family, we celebrate the Winter Solstice, the original event from which all the other celebratory holidays took their cue. Although I personally find christianity distasteful, I would never deny others their belief systems or versions of this holiday...something I have found, however, that they in turn are most unwilling to grant me and mine.

Rev Jim

I once was troubled by the rampant commercialism or materialism around the holidays.a few years back I dated a woman whos children loved black Friday and buying and getting a ton of gifts I witnessed the great joy they received from doing all these things. I realized who was I to deny them their joy. All religions have an underlying theme of love and respect and celebrate in some form ways to show those attributes and bring joy to those they Love. I choose to Love and respect everyone NO MATTER WHAT I do not have to participate or celebrate as they do in order to treat them as such. I trust my heart and follow its guidance. because I am at peace with my own beliefs and have no desire to force that on anyone else I can now be ok with whatever is happening. Btw I capitalized the no matter what not to yell at anyone only to emphasize the importance of learning that aspect of Love and Respect and how challenging it was for me to get there. Blessings and peace to all in this season however you may or may not celebrate.

michael

[email & phone number given not valid, for sake of anonymity. I do not need a response] It has been nearly 500 years since the break with the original Church in Rome—a schism begun by Martin Luther—that led to the confusing situation we have today: approximately 60,000 different Christian “churches” all teaching something different. But Jesus founded only ONE Church (which is one in doctrinal truth)… “God is not the author of confusion.” (1 Cor 14:13) Jesus’s one Church is indefectible. He is God, and therefore, He would not build His Church in such a flimsy way that any human or group of humans could utterly destroy it. While the Church He founded has obviously changed over the centuries—in often dramatic-looking ways—Jesus promised that even the very gates of Hell (otherwise known as Satan and Company) could not destroy it (Mt 16:18). This is the only place in the Bible where we find anything (involving humans) being referred to as indestructible… So why are there so many different Christian "churches" today, all teaching conflicting doctrines and practices? Well, obviously, humans are easily deceived… by “the father of all lies,” (which is why the human race desperately needed Jesus to come to us in the first place). The devil attacks the Catholic Church more ferociously than anything or anyone. But he cannot change the fact that Christ’s Church cannot be destroyed by him, much less by humans… which is not to say that the Church’s effectiveness in the world cannot be weakened… by the devil… by corrupt clergy, luke-warm parishioners, etc. But such things have to do with sinful humans, not Jesus. This Church has something (it has many things, but one “thing” in particular that) no other has—namely: Jesus’s real, tangible Presence. When the consecrated Hosts are in the tabernacle in the Church (as they usually are), Jesus's actual, FELT Presence pervades the Church. This is of utmost importance… Jesus is truth incarnate, and we humans need objective truth—to get to Heaven. We do not just desire Jesus (some of us desire Him); we need Him, whether we realize it or not. Only Jesus, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, know the truth about you: your relationships, your problems, your crosses. And so, everyone should visit Jesus the way He wants us to visit: in His Church, where He works with us… This is the way we were meant to give Him all our most pressing problems and concerns. See: Old Testament references to King David, the Ark of the Covenant, and the building of “the house of the Lord,” which was the forerunner of Christ’s Church. This is where we get the absolute (often painful) truth about our lives, not merely our own subjective truth… which more often than not is deceptive and misleading. Being in Christ’s physical Presence like this is what is doing God’s will… “Only those who do the will of the Father will enter Heaven.” (Mt 7:21)—“No one comes to the Father except through Me,” Jesus said (Jn 14:6). And no one can really come to Jesus (the way He himself set things up) except through His Church. I pray you find Jesus this way. Most Catholic churches are open in the day time. My whole life changed when I first began to experience Jesus this way… To this day, I only perceive God’s perfect will for me this particular way (as opposed to perceiving His permissive will, which is always very problematic, since God gives people a free will, thereby permitting them to do whatever evil they choose…). I perceive God’s perfect will only when I am participating in the Holy Mass, where the hosts are consecrated (become Jesus), and where (as the saints tell us—and my personal experience affirms) “all of Heaven participates.” It often happens that before going to Mass, I tend to think I should solve this/that problem by doing… this or that, but during Mass, I am shown through the Holy Spirit something different, something more conforming to God’s ways. This difference in perception illustrates the truth of the passage in Isaiah, where God says: “My ways are not your ways. My thoughts are not your thoughts.” (Is 55:8) When one is confused or disturbed… wondering what God really wants in a given situation, how He sees things in that person’s life, the Real Presence is the best—really the only—place to be… Other “church communities” claim to have the Eucharist (Communion), but what they have is only symbolic, since only a validly-ordained Catholic priest can transubstantiate the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. I pray my separated Protestant brethren find Jesus in this way… the beginning step on that most interesting journey a person can take, the journey to Truth Incarnate, aka Jesus. Jesus said that without Him (the Eucharist), “you have no Life in you.” (John 6:27-70). He also said that only a few “find the narrow way” to Heaven. (Mt 7:13, Lk 13:24) This is scary, as some of the saints tell us it is VERY few who make it… / RCIA classes (which are free) are available at all (most) Catholic Churches September through Easter, to help people—even Catholics—better understand the Church’s history and true teachings, as opposed to what some “hater” claims are the Church’s teachings (and there is no shortage of haters in the world, which is why many Catholics fall away… but “he who endures until the end will be saved”—Mt 24:13). “Not everyone (Jesus said) who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in Heaven” (Mt 7:21). But Jesus does all He can to help us. “Behold,” He promises, “I am with you always [actually, tangibly, with you], until the End” (Mt 28:20)

rev. bob

I work at a big-box hardware store. Yes, and we are closed only for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but we open at 6 a.m. the day after, and you would think that we were giving the stock away for free. The amount of 'stuff' people buy is astounding, more so is the number of customers that open a package, rummage through it , and then take a 'sealed' one because the one they opened is no longer a 'virgin' package !! When they decide that they changed their mind, they just dump the items anywhere they want so the 'servant - low life' employees can clean up their mess after them. Not only does this aggravate the employees, it also prevents us from putting more items back on the shelves for purchase. The lines at the check-out registers only prove the commercialism brought upon the holidays by merchants looking to improve their 'bottom line'for their stockholders, and the rudeness of the customers disgusts the store employees. What happened to values like - "do unto others, as you would have done unto you" and 'respect for other people'. Not 'coveting other peoples possessions' ?
To paraphrase 'respect thy mother and father' - why and how can a customer come in and give the sales staff a hard time [some of us are MUCH older than the customers we serve] ? Holiday spirit ? Hah! "Get out of my way , i have purchases to make and I don't have time to waste being kind and courteous to my fellow shoppers !"
I agree with numerous statements that the true meaning of the holidays is almost lost today, and it's not just the December holidays. It's all of them. Valentine's day= gotta buy candies and cards. Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays have been combined by the government into "President's Day' because it brings in more sales and some stores don't have to close up for an extra day due to a federal holiday - and not a rememberence of the creators of this nation. July 4th is supposed to be a celebration of the independence of the nation from the rule of England - - no longer. Memorial Day is supposed to be an honorarium to the soldiers that protect our nation - not another reason for a sale, Labor day -is not really a day to honor those who helped create what we have - it's another 'sale' day now. As you can see, we have a recurring theme here - - greed. One of the seven deadly sins. This was made obvious by the original message to this discussion [sadly] - long live materialism, and the real values of the holidays has been given a back seat to having 'more stuff'. Pity things have gotten the way they are. May the true meaning of the holidays be with you , whatever you celebrate, now and forever. Reminder - if you give kindness you get kindness, maybe not from everyone, but YOU will be the better for it.

rev. bob

rev bob [again] : So, the holidays are upon us , very shortly. The merchandise if flying off the shelves in order for folks to celebrate the holiday of their faith, should they have one. [ i'm trying to be inclusive here, if I've forgotten your belief or lack of, i sincerely apologize in advance.] As such, I would like to know just how the purchase of a new power tool, toilet, or other item we buy for our loved one[s] assists us in the celebration of :

for those of the Jewish faith, Chanukkah [ the re-dedication of the destruction-reconstruction of a synagogue celebration , and the miracle of the sanctified oil that was only supposed to last 1 day & lasted for 8 ].

In the case of the Christian beliefs - how the rising of the Christ from the burial chamber or the birth of the Christ - have become celebrated in the same manner.

When I was growing up, our parents were not focused on the material possessions as part of the celebrations, we went to our respective houses of worship and learned the meaning of the holiday for what it really is. It was and is A Holy Day. A day spent in the wonder of what had/has happened to 'our kind' in the past and how it , to this day , affects our lives. It was not a reason to buy 'stuff' for each other. The holiday was meant to help us understand why it was/is there, and to give us a broader understanding of ourselves and our fellow humans.
The current materialization of the holidays makes it the least 'Wonderful Time of the Year' for me, as I fail to comprehend what we all have become. I confess, I am part of the trend, but I try to do it in a most minimal way, and still like to tell my offspring the 'reason for the season' . I also believe , at this stage of my life, I would rather spend my days ignoring the merchandising and understand what our past has taught us, and how our past can aid us in the future. Yes , I think history repeats itself, and we can change the course of what we will become , if we learn from our past errors and try to change the course of our future towards a better end. In no way do I wish to put a damper on anyone's holiday, i only wanted to put in my opinion on this topic again. . . . so

Happy Holy Days to All , please , celebrate as your heart desires .

rev bob

Auntie M

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/opinion/sunday/arthur-c-brooks-abundance-without-attachment.html?_r=0&referer=

The frustration and emptiness so many people feel at this time of year is not an objection to the abundance per se, nor should it be. It is a healthy hunger for nonattachment. This season, don’t rail against the crowds of shoppers on Fifth Avenue or become some sort of anti-gift misanthrope. Celebrate the bounty that has pulled millions out of poverty worldwide. But then, ponder the three practices above. Move beyond attachment by collecting experiences, avoid excessive usefulness, and get to the center of your wheel. It might just turn out to be a happy holiday after all.

Brother John

Although CocaCola didn't invent the common depiction of Santa, they did play a major role through their advertising campaigns...

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/coke-lore-santa-claus

Fair enough that they were promoting their products using Santa as their pitchman, but what about placing Santa in the manger with the baby Jesus? I'm not sure how "Catholic" this supplier is, but the message is disturbingly clear. At least Jesus isn't suckling from a bottle of Coke. How many children have this connection implanted in their minds?

http://shop.catholicsupply.com/store/p/17577-Kneeling-Santa-Statue.aspx

Search images of "santa and jesus" for more selections.

Our Christmas gift tradition remains donations to our favourite charities. I opened Kiva accounts for both grand daughters. Young as they are, they both enjoy reading stories about less advantaged people around the world and helping them with the dignity of a loan rather than straight charity.

Toni Guy

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday it is a cultural observation. We are encouraged to make gifts for family and friends. The gifts are not the focus of the holiday, learning about ourselves and our ancestors and spending time together as a family is. We find this preferable to Stuffmas, because it has real meaning for us.

Minister Norman

Jesus wasn't trying to create any new Religions, so he wouldn't recognize the one created in his name: "Christmas".

But most Pagans would at least recognize some of its "Trappings" (Trees, Wreaths, Holly, Gifts, etc), but even they wouldn't understand what it's now supposed to all be about, and from any "Holy" or even thoughtful perspective; because today it's just about GREED.

And what a horrid message to give to children, and adults alike (and whether religious or secular), that "God" or "Santa" is watching you and will reward your goodness, but not with Love; WITH STUFF! ...And poor kids, especially, by way of these greed soaked messages, are automatically told that they are not "Good" at all.

How awful!

The Roman Emperor Constantine "gave" us Christmas (and after his fained "conversation", he also mandated it, and by penalty of death. He had also mandated "Christianity" as the "State Religion" and forsaking all others, also by penalty of death (What a way to gain "True Believers", and why we need that Separation of Church and State), and also why "Stuffmas" quickly grew out of all that fained "Tradition", and already in those ancient times.

The perpetuated Lie...

Saint Nicholas was later given all these (fained) "religious" attributes, and then simply "Santa" took the place of even that Pseudo religious deity or icon, and the natural progression is "Stuffmas".

"Christmas" (by design), apprehended and then corrupted both the true teachings of Jesus, and also the pure Pagan traditions of celebrating the Winter Solstice.

Thus Stuffmas!

But Happy Holidays (HOLY days) to all, and let's all argue for and againat this non event! Or instead, we can refuse to BUY into it, and make of it whatever purer tradition we wish to observe or celebrate, or then nothing at all...

As Stuffmas rises to a frightening din, with the "Faithful" trampling each other to get at more "Black Friday" (indeed) treasures, and as any real meaning of this time of year is then forever lost, we still have a choice; complain or don't participate!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1d0ivyTTk