has christmas lost its magic???

[stokemaveric]

or is it me getting older??..i dont feel in the festive spirit at all yet..or is it because it all starts too early??...

[sophie_1003]

We have it on DVD erin lol! And me; think the Colin Firth story line is lovely but the bit where Emma Thompson cries is so sad! Think we will also be adding It's a Wonderful Life to the list next year as am hoping for it for a present this year!

[Ann]

I agree with Andy - Christmas has lost its religious connection which is so sad to me as a Christian. Some councils are cutting Christ out of Christmas ......
I found this poem a few years ago in the Daily Mail which is relevant:

TO ALL “POLITICALLY CORRECT” COUNCILS!

Some keep a “Winter Festival” about this time of year
For nights are getting darker and we need some light and cheer
They dust away the cobwebs and brighten up the house
And sit and watch the TV as quiet as a mouse

And for this “Winter Festival” they have a “Winter Tree”
With lights and baubles shining bright so everyone can see
They’re joining in their festival and keeping Winter cheer
In the hope of Winter ending at the turning of the year.

I, too, am celebrating the coming of the Light
The light that shone in Bethlehem upon that holy night
The light that shines for evermore dispelling fear and gloom
The light that shines at Eastertime in triumph o’er the tomb

Yes I am celebrating - not a “Winter Festival”
But I am keeping CHRISTMAS with Jesus in the stall
And I will share with others (as well as having fun)
The joy of celebrating the birth of Gods dear Son.

[sophie_1003]

Ann I may be mistaken but I believe the 'Winter Festival' instead of Christmas thing was a bit over-exaggerated, by The Daily Mail in fact

[Andyvon]

Ann -

My 3-year old neice goes to a pre-school in Berkshire and my sister-in-law recently asked them if they were planning a Nativity Play as she hoped my neice could take part. The pre-school said they weren't having a Nativity Play as it was "too Christian" but they were going to have a cebration of robins, snowmen etc! However, she's had to spend the last few months learning the Islamic festivals and events!

These PC bigots are getting everywhere now and the biggest worry is when they have access to young children and bend their little minds to suit their own political ideas and bigotry. I'm so pleased I never had kids.

[erin-x]

I was just thinking about the Emma Thomson bit! I'm now listening to Joni Mitchell because of it :)

[Ann]

No it was in Birmingham - no mention of Christmas in the city they called it Winter Fest or something - a reader sent the poem in.

[Ann]

Andy - in our town I have been involved in quite a few of the Primary schools and thankfully it seems they all still have Nativity Plays - even parents who have no religious leaning love to see the little ones dressed up as Mary and other characters from the Christmas story - its so lovely and part of Christmas celebrations in the schools.

[micmak]

Andyvon, That is very sad. I feel for the parents.

[sophie_1003]

Apologies in advance for this irate reply but-- They called it Winterval for two years and it was so they could include Diwali and other winter celebrations to encourage a wider range of people to shop in the city which had been recently 'rejuvenated'; it was in the late 90's and they haven't used it since so I think people should stop dressing it up as more than what it was- a marketing ploy to get more people spending more money in the city centre; in addition to this the Daily Mail ran an apology this year to say they now recogise that Bham never meant to rename or replace Christmas.

[anneasquith]

and no racing on the telly stoke ? :)

[mrs.chappie]

I think it has. I'm always pleased when it's been and gone and we can get back to normal (whatever that is). :o)

[Ann]

OK sorry about the Birmingham issue Sophie - no need to get irate though, as plenty of people DO cut all mention of Christ out of Christmas even though that is the whole reason why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

[Andyvon]

Ann, Sophie,

The result is that my brother and his wife now take my neice to church every Sunday without fail - which is quite astonishing as my brother has always been a staunch atheist! When I asked him if the church was empty as I've heard church congregations are down, he says it's full every week - with parents like them who aren't religious but insist on their children going to church in reaction to what they are having pushed at them!

It's obvious to me over the last thirty years that British society has become very polarised and that is a good example.

[sophie_1003]

Yes I do know what you mean; it's just sometimes people make up trouble where there is none; the DM (and other media to be fair!) seem quite adept at it! Andyvon's example is quite a bad one; I agree that children should learn about different cultures but that shouldn't mean they don't have to learn about and celebrate Christianity!

[maggiebee]

Received an e-mail from a friend which had several beautifully decorated Christmas trees on it. Underneath was written:

And these
are Christmas Trees

These are NOT Holiday Trees


They are NOT Winter Festival trees

They are Christmas trees.

Say it...
Christmas, Christmas, CHRISTmas

Yes CHRISTmas -not Holiday

We are not celebrating the birth of a Holiday !!!

We are Celebrating the Birth of
Jesus Christ!!!
So I would like to say to each and everyone of you
Have a Very Merry CHRISTMAS
and may GOD BLESS each and every one of you!!!

[sophie_1003]

I think you'll find that your neices nursery is the exception rather than the rule though Andyvon; are they able to question it further with the staff at all, perhaps lobby some other parents to push for an emphasis on Christianity next year?

[Ann]

Lots of Churches have good congregations these days especially in the more modern denominations, they have lots of young families. Some people go to church to carol services but never at any other time of year - in our church magazine this church noticeboard poster was quoted "Come to Church this Sunday and avoid the Christmas rush ! " which always makes us smile.

[Ann]

Thank you Maggie - Happy CHRISTmas and may God bless you too....

[pips1]

I will always say Christmas no matter what or who tells me different. We are British and it is our tradition, it is CHRISTMAS next week, nothing else, it's all getting ridiculous!

[maggiebee]

Same to you Ann, have a good one.