The true meaning of Christmas
The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, which is a celebration that God loves mankind so much that he gave us a Son so that if we believe in him we will have eternal life in Heaven after we die.
By turning “Merry Christmas” into the secular “Happy Holidays,” the true meaning of Christmas was ripped out of the public consciousness and Christmas turned into a disgusting and sinful orgy of people buying stuff they can’t afford and don’t need: lust, gluttony, greed and envy all mixed in together.
Lion of the Blogosphere 
Agreed. I would like to think everyone would enjoy this time of year a lot more without all the bother and stress of buying presents, wrapping presents, mailing presents, etc. It also seems an inefficient way to structure our economy, with so much activity compressed around a one month period.
The Duke of Cumberbatch
November 29, 2016 at 9:32 AM
Sounds like you are not looking forward to doing your Christmas shopping this year.
Gozo
November 29, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Lion, you are dead right. This is the message the world needs to hear.
Two in the Bush
November 29, 2016 at 9:41 AM
Right- the echo is of Abraham’s sacrifice of Issac. Everyone who reads it thinks “what parent would ever do that?”. But God did sacrifice his son- the lamb that God will provide mentioned in Genesis.
Since your purpose here is just to mock I am not going to the theological “whys”, but say I dont find the Happy Holidays “disgusting” just kind of sad and pointless compared to Christmas. Its like saying “have a great three day weekend”- it just doesnt amount to much.
The “Happy Holidays” as a catch all for various religious holidays isnt as bad. Kwanza is both stupid and insipid and people should stop trying to normalize[tm] it. Hanukkah is a legitimate observance, if minor, so if I know someone is devote I would wish their family a good Hanukkah celebration like I would for Passover. I doubt anyone had ever taken any comfort from a Corporate Happy Holidays.
Lion of the Turambar
November 29, 2016 at 9:57 AM
But the Church created Xmas to replace the pagan winter solstice holiday, which was basically the ancient version of what Christmas is today. So really all that happened is we have gone full circle.
Otis the Sweaty
November 29, 2016 at 9:59 AM
The celebration of sacrifice and death should be pondered with family, presents and eggnog at least once every winter.
cesqy
November 29, 2016 at 11:10 AM
Does it really say in the Gospels that you have to believe Jesus is the “son” of god? I read them once and I don’t remember Jesus saying anything other than to be “saved” you had to believe that there was a loving god. (Which I don’t, BTW, so I guess I’m screwed.) I’d like us to go to a permanent calendar with inter-calendarial days at the end of each year to keep things straight. Each day could have a different theme that satisfied different human psychological needs; one day for stuffing your self, one day for fasting, one day for riotous and libidinous running through the streets, one day for quiet contemplation, one day for giving gifts, one day for helping the poor, etc.
CamelCaseRob
November 29, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Of the 4 Gospels the one that specifically insists on Jesus as the “only gateway” is John, which is also the most supernatural, so to speak.
Camlost
November 29, 2016 at 11:37 AM
” I read them once and I don’t remember Jesus saying anything other than to be “saved” you had to believe that there was a loving god.”
” I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” is pretty specific
Lion of the Turambar
November 29, 2016 at 1:55 PM
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. ” -John 3:16 (Complete Jewish Bible version)
For questions such as “Does the Bible really say…”, a good source would be biblegateway.com, where you can do a keyword or passage search.
maga
November 29, 2016 at 1:59 PM
John is not part of the Old Testament and has no significance to Jews. Jesus is a non-person to Jews. And yes, saying “Merry Christmas” to those who do not observe Christmas is disrespectful. This goes beyond political correctness and is just plain respect, but many Christians believe they are the only people in the US.
Michael Roberts
November 29, 2016 at 9:50 PM
Off topic: what sbout alt-woke? Or is that too prole/ghetto sounding?
Bobo
November 29, 2016 at 10:49 AM
“woke” is hardly prole. It is the favorite term of the neogaf/Jezebel faction of the Left.
Would alt-woke be referring to the alt-Left or alt-Right?
Otis the Sweaty
November 29, 2016 at 11:39 AM
It could at least let us toast the confusion of the enemy. Don’t forget to change your avatars to blacks or pharaohs.
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:23 PM
You’re right about the true meaning of Christmas, but “Happy holidays” doesn’t exclude Christmas. “Happy holidays” (holy days) includes Christmas, as well as Hanukkah, Kwanza, Eid al-Fitr (my personal favorite), Yule, Dhanu Sankranti, and God only knows what else. It acknowledges the obvious: we live in a multicultural cesspool. “Merry Christmas” denies reality, although, personally, I always say “Merry Christmas” because I prefer living in a fantasy of my own creation, that this is still America 1950.
Mark Caplan
November 29, 2016 at 11:11 AM
Yeah but odds are if you say Merry Christmas to a white, American black or mestizo they’re going to be on board. I.e. like 90% or more of the population.
Economic Sophisms
November 29, 2016 at 12:38 PM
I say “Merry Christmas”, and if the surroundings complain I explain to them that I don’t feel comfortable appropriating other religions. Furthermore, should they be adherents of religions encompassed by “Happy Holidays”, I can offer a general benediction appropriate to our religious relationship, but obviously no more than that. Another option is to address any complaints with “Oh, I didn’t mean you”. And with that, Merry Christmas!
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:18 PM
Xmas in the US is not actually a Christian holiday at all. In spite of all our proclaimed diversity and multiculturalism, our unity in worshipping the god of Mammon on his highest of holidays is striking. Even our cranky alleged “Jewish” or “ACLU” brothers and sisters are probably just as Mammonist as the rest of us. They should drop their opposition to symbols of the holiday like Xmas trees and Santa Claus and celebrate and praise heart’s their true Lord, Mammon.
Thin-Skinned Masta-Beta
November 29, 2016 at 4:55 PM
The terrifying alt-right vision of the future, in the opinion of Twitter:
https://mobile.twitter.com/ebolajulius2/status/803570791975485440
Camlost
November 29, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Wow, that really says it all doesn’t it.
Two in the Bush
November 29, 2016 at 11:50 AM
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:19 PM
On consideration, we all should do the alt-woke pharaoh thing during black history month. Them pyramids wuz spaceships, cuz.
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Richard Spencer — the alt right spokesperson lives in Montana, which almost 100% White.
I really don’t know what is his consensus or the greater Alt-Right’s consensus regarding a place like NYC and any other liberal cesspity. And there are Whites who live in the liberal centers and believe in their message. Liberal centers are generally wealthier, with better food, better everything, except the housing costs are expensive, and many are segregated by race and class.
JS
November 29, 2016 at 1:41 PM
Christmas is nowhere in the bible/Bible, Otis is right. Actually the Puritans banned celebration of Christmas entirely. They thought it was pagan revelry. Look it up.
gothamette
November 29, 2016 at 12:15 PM
We’re not all fundamentalists, you know.
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:22 PM
lol where does it say in the bible that something has to be in the bible to be valid?
averagechump
November 29, 2016 at 1:27 PM
LOL. Or the Constitution?
gothamette
November 29, 2016 at 2:42 PM
America is all about money. You dislike the Alt-Right, simply because those guys are disenfranchised or that’s how they feel. Disenfranchisement = Lack of economic privilege (or money)
JS
November 29, 2016 at 1:32 PM
With money brings better neighborhoods, better amenities, better schools, better people, access to women for men, and so on….this is the American model.
JS
November 29, 2016 at 1:36 PM
Thanks. You’ve made your point. Many times.
gothamette
November 29, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Are you now a Messianic Jew, Lion?
Seth Long
November 29, 2016 at 12:26 PM
JayMan
November 29, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Well, Richard, why care at all about the seasonal gruntings of soulless animals?
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Orthodox Christians keep on-message this time of year by doing a 40-day fast. No vertebrate-animal products, except for fish on selected days.
Economic Sophisms
November 29, 2016 at 12:36 PM
Trump on the warpath on Twitter. 6 tweets in a row bashing CNN. The president of the United States singling one hatchery of sleaze out. Bee-U-TEE-FULL.
The Philosopher
November 29, 2016 at 12:36 PM
You hit the nail on the head. Thanks.
Black Death
November 29, 2016 at 12:52 PM
Mates, they wish ‘Happy Holidays’ for Hanukkah and it hasn’t turned Hanukkah into a secular shopping orgy by the Orthodox Jews, nor has this manner of greeting had such an effect on religious Christians. Christianity is a mystical and irrational religion. Believing in corporeality of G-d is idolatrous and as such wishing someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ is a problem for me, not offensive, just a halachic problem, because of a prohibition of acknowledging idolatry. It can be done in order to maintain harmonious relations between communities, but wishing ‘Happy Holidays’ resolves this issue and this is what I say. There is no halachic problem wishing my Tajik ‘Eid Mubarak’ though. Islam is a monotheistic faith.
The greeting wasn’t changed to accommodate the concerns of a tiny minority like mydelf, but to undermine the European culture of the country, and as such it’s a bad thing. I wonder it will be reversed in the future?
Yakov
November 29, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Many Jews feel left out during Christmas, simply because it’s fun with a “Christian” context, and White gentiles are generally more inclined to have lots of fun than Jews, who are prone to retrospection and pensive moments. Hannukkah is that kind of holiday.
JS
November 29, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Actually, Hanukkah was not much in the Jewish religion until secular Jews needed an analog to Christmas. Maccabees are Christian bible books. The rabbis didn’t like the defiant militaristic lesson of the Maccabees, who they thought were meshuggah boys who brought on ruin to the Jews.
gothamette
November 29, 2016 at 2:46 PM
Hanukkah has been celebrated since the the victory over the Hellenists. It’s in the Talmud and all later legal codes. The military spirit has been downplayed because physical resistance wasn’t a rational option during exile and Jews were fanatical fighters for their religion easily provoked into conflict. Another reason was not to show to the Gentile world that the Jews glorify military prowess and have had significant military successes in recent history and thus may constitute a danger for host nations. The pious, docile, peaceful, mercantile image of the nation was promulgated. The Hassidic Jews of Boro Park and Williamsburg have been molded in that image. Today we should go back back to our true selves. I think that eventually we will. I feel myself more Maccabi then Hassidic. I would definitely take up arms and kill Hellenists. Maccabies were my people!
Yakov
November 29, 2016 at 3:07 PM
When I lived in East Germany, everybody was atheist or at least indifferent non-believer. Nonetheless, Christmas was an important tradition that everyone cherished. It was more of the kind of tradition that ties the current generation to its roots… even if prior meaning isn’t exactly relevant anymore.
This kind of appreciation and cultivation of tradition should be something familiar and respected especially by Jews amongst us. I don’t know how Jews might consider embracing the cozy civic and pagan-originated components of Christmas traditions. Perhaps these are too foreign to be embraced with authenticity? Of course any non-Christian neighbors and friends are welcome to join us in the kitchen baking cookies, singing songs and decorating our homes and communities. It’s just such a bummer that we have so little civic culture and tradition that unite us. In the very multicultural city in which I live, the only institution and civic value that all the diverse people can actually agree on, is the corporate NFL team which offers commercialized gladiatorial entertainment for $200+ a seat in a corporate advertising sponsored stadium + $66 to park.
Thin-Skinned Masta-Beta
November 29, 2016 at 5:09 PM
Hasidic Jews are peaceful and docile? To me, they seem to be a very contentious and litigious people.
JS
November 29, 2016 at 8:03 PM
“This kind of appreciation and cultivation of tradition should be something familiar and respected especially by Jews amongst us. I don’t know how Jews might consider embracing the cozy civic and pagan-originated components of Christmas traditions. Perhaps these are too foreign to be embraced with authenticity? Of course any non-Christian neighbors and friends are welcome to join us in the kitchen baking cookies, singing songs and decorating our homes and communities. It’s just such a bummer that we have so little civic culture and tradition that unite us.”
That’s a good point. I think now, the religious aspect of Christmas is fairly distant. The constant store sales, festivals, parades, TV specials and office parties are not religious, they are very much part of civic culture. Probably the biggest obstacle to it being accepted as such are religious Christians who want to put the Christ into Christmas, and Jews, who really resent only having Chinese restaurants open on Christmas day. I’m not religious but I love the Christmas season. It’s special and not because of a child in a manger, but because of Santa Claus, the true deity of the season.
Mike Street Station
November 30, 2016 at 3:55 PM
Tom Price, new healthcare sec is another cuckservative.
Tax credit savings accounts boost demand side, not reform the provision of HC on supply. The interstate competition is the only ‘conservative’ proposition that would help the market…and that will be meaningless if anti-trust lawyers don’t break up the existing oligopolies.
I am sick of neoliberal cucks. Their ideas are so transparently crony, tawdry and illogical. I hope Trump humiliates Pence every single day in his term by making him wear a pink rubber dildo on his head to signify Master’s domination of his feeble wimpish soul. People should wolf whistle paul ryan everywhere. Fucin girl needs an enema.
The Philosopher
November 29, 2016 at 1:10 PM
Aren’t the interstate restrictions just based on the fact that different states regulate differently and have different standards fort things like what constitutes minimum coverage? So getting rid of those barriers will just increase the portion of people with worthless bottom of the barrel policies who think they’re saving money but really just have a plan that doesn’t actually cover anything.
Magnavox
November 30, 2016 at 6:34 AM
“So getting rid of those barriers will just increase the portion of people with worthless bottom of the barrel policies who think they’re saving money but really just have a plan that doesn’t actually cover anything.”
That’s actually the Obamacare status quo. Opening up the state barriers will allow insurance companies to sell policies based on the home state’s regulations, so at least there will be more competition with “bottom of the barrel policies.”
Mike Street Station
November 30, 2016 at 4:03 PM
I don’t think a big enough deal has been made about how accurate the Otis Index was in the election. The final Otis Index had Hillary up 1.9%, what she is going to end up winning by. It really is amazing.
I’m reading some old threads and there was a lot of skepticism thrown on the Otis Index during the election, but in the end we see that the critics knew nothing. The Otis Index is regarded as the “gold standard” of polling aggregates by Republican, Democratic and non-partisan polling experts. Here are some quotes:
“At 538 we have our own method of aggregating polls. We believe in our work. But there is no question that the Otis Index has repeatedly demonstrated an uncanny level of accuracy in forecasting the popular vote; a level of accuracy substantially greater than our own.” –Nate Silver
“Yeah there definitely is a bit of a crisis in polling these days and who knows how long it will take for the pollsters to get it all worked out. I don’t think polling is worthless by any means but you need to take polls with a grain of salt. One polling aggregator I do pay attention to is the Otis Index because that seems to always be accurate down to a tenth of a percent.” –Newt Gingrich
“Well, I have always said that polls are just a tool of measuring public sentiment. It never made sense to me to put what is really almost a religious level of faith in polling results. I said that when the polls were in our favor too, not just when they were against us. I mean, uh, outside of the Otis Index polling just really hasn’t been that good of late.” –Barack Obama
“I don’t know how he does it because he refuses to publish his methods, but Otis the Sweaty, the guy who runs the Otis Index, always nails it. He doesn’t do any polling himself but he is the best aggregator in the business. And really, if I’m being honest, is the best aggregator I’ve ever seen. And I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years now.” –Scott Rassmussen
Keep in mind that my official prediction was for Trump to win by 1 point. That’s the last time I don’t trust the Otis Index.
Otis the Sweaty
November 29, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Coincidentally, this year I find that I will for once celebrate an actual Christmas rather than the secularized nonsense that has gotten increasingly unacceptable over the years. Unfortunately, it will also be far away from relatives, but so it goes.
Glengarry
November 29, 2016 at 1:30 PM
It’s much better to be dumb and attractive than smart and ugly. There’s also the possible bonus of HEAVEN.
DaddyFrank
November 29, 2016 at 1:45 PM
Dumb with an IQ of 70 is better? With an IQ like this it’s an animal. I’ll take IQ over looks. Especially today, you do some cosmetic work and you can improve the looks add to this exercise and you are awesome, but an IQ? This is who you are, can’t change that.
A good heart is what’s important for not looks. A good heart is happy and makes everybody happy. What’s better then this?
Yakov
November 29, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Smart with the face of “Elephant Man?” Plastic surgery is overrated unless one is deformed. That scene where the dweeb transforms into Captain America isn’t real. Apparently reproducing is our purpose and lower IQ people do this better than higher IQ people.
I can agree that a good-heart or good character is what’s truly important but that is not what IQ is.
DaddyFrank
November 29, 2016 at 2:54 PM
Selah and thrice Amen!
Melchizidek
November 29, 2016 at 1:51 PM
The over-commercialization of Christmas was the theme of A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). I’m sure everyone has seen it. It’s awesome.
Consumerism is a year round problem. It just comes to a head before Christmas because there’s a tradition of retailers having big sales before the holidays. Not that retailers are to blame. They’re no more responsible for shoppers’ attitudes and behavior than farmers are for people being fat.
Like obesity, consumerism is a result of the individual’s lack of self-control. Fortunately, I’m frugal by nature. I never cheat people, always pay what I owe, leave decent tips, etc. I just don’t buy things I don’t need. In fact, I think spending money on things one doesn’t need is immoral. I feel very strongly about it. So much so that I have the opposite problem — I sometimes postpone buying things that I should.
destructure
November 29, 2016 at 4:07 PM
Do you live alone? If you have a girlfriend or wife there is a lot of pressure to spend on stuff you don’t need!
(Forgive me if my assumption you are a straight man is off base.)
Gozo
November 29, 2016 at 5:13 PM
The investor and finance blogger David Merkel is a devout Christian who doesn’t celebrate Christmas: http://tavblog.com/2008/12/22/seven-reasons-not-to-celebrate-christmas-and-easter/
David Pinsen
November 29, 2016 at 6:18 PM
In the UK, Anglican Christianity is the state religion and te grotesque Americanism of Happy Holidays is a multicultural sellout. My Jewish and Hindu friends are perfectly happy with Christmas. Those Muslims who aren’t, aren’t my friends.
Philip Owen
December 5, 2016 at 5:21 PM