Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
(Calvin Coolidge)
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
(Calvin Coolidge)
There are many people who cherish peace and goodwill who are not Christians and do not celebrate Christmas or want "the real spirit of Christmas".
There are many people who cherish peace and goodwill who are not Christians and do not celebrate Christmas or want "the real spirit of Christmas".
I do not celebrate Christmas since I am not a Christian but I rejoice it whatever brings out the best in others. Amidst all the stress and bustle that comes in the wake of preparing for Christmas, I posted this thought for today to be beneficial to those that read it.
I do not celebrate Christmas since I am not a Christian but I rejoice it whatever brings out the best in others. Amidst all the stress and bustle that comes in the wake of preparing for Christmas, I posted this thought for today to be beneficial to those that read it.
In that case, what is "the real spirit of Christmas"?
In that case, what is "the real spirit of Christmas"?
Perhaps you should ask that to a christian...failing that, the original post!
I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, the Christians I know well would say that the birth of Jesus had something to do with the "real spirit of Christmas". You seemed to think, in "dilution of the nativity play" that changing the generally accepted story of that birth
renders Christmas less meaningful/significant.
I would say that, to me, the "real spirit of Christmas" is meaningless, since I am not a Christian. What does it mean to you? And do you have a meaning for "the real spirit of Eid" or "the real spirit of Hanukkah" - or "the real spiritof Yule"?
Coolidge, of course, was a Christian so, presumably, had a Christian viewpoint on it. Also a Republican, he said "The chief business of the American people is business." We don't have to agree with him.
Crowan - I do tire of your cross examination. I thought I had already made it clear who this thought of the day was addressed to - see my post #3, i.e. for those that celebrate it. If you have not understood...I cannot make it any clearer. I obviously agree with the quote in the OP, else I would not have posted it.
Can we leave it at that now? Thank you.
How about trying to be less defensive? If you only wanted Christians to read it, there's a Christianity Forum. Okay, this isn't a question - just my expressing myself - but I do wonder why you post things that you're not prepared to discuss. Please don't feel the need to reply.
How about being less intense? People who are not christians still celebrate Christmas.
Lovely quote, Amy Green.
No need for explanation.
If only that spirit of goodwill extended throughout the whole year ..
Lovely quote, Amy Green.
No need for explanation.
If only that spirit of goodwill extended throughout the whole year ..
I don’t really know what the problem is with this thread. But, Mountaineer, I do think there’s a need for explanation – because, if not, the original post would have been instantly understandable to everyone - even me.
The point I was trying to make (unsuccessfully, clearly) was that there is no consensus over what the “real spirit of Christmas” is. You and Amy (although Amy’s posts have been somewhat contradictory) seem to think that the “real spirit of Christmas” is
peace and goodwill
.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but so is everyone else – and everyone else is likely to also feel that everyone will agree with them. I guess that is why you both greeted any disagreement with distain.
I hoped that others might join in with their thoughts on a “real spirit of Christmas” – my own view is that it is a meaningless phrase to anyone, including me, who is not a Christian. However, Christmas has become a secular festival for many people and their views would be interesting.
(Of course, if we were talking about real spirits – The Spirit of Midwinter, say – that would be a different conversation altogether.)
There are many people who cherish peace and goodwill who are not Christians and do not celebrate Christmas or want "the real spirit of Christmas".
I don't think Amy or the author of the quote are talking about Christianity are they? In fact I would say the author is trying to distance himself from the religious aspect of Christmas by saying it sis accessible to all regardless of faith. At least thats how I read it!
I don't think Amy or the author of the quote are talking about Christianity are they? In fact I would say the author is trying to distance himself from the religious aspect of Christmas by saying it sis accessible to all regardless of faith. At least thats how I read it!
Have I made any sense to you at all?