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Well, this isn't really a debate, just a discussion, but the forum is called friendly debates and discussions, so I put it here. : ) If it's supposed to go somewhere else, please feel free to move it, Paws.

Well, I guess was I was just wondering on what ya'll feel about the world's view on the Christmas season. To most of us, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, many in the world today don't see it that way. And so many people have become so touchy during this time of the year, so much to the point that some advertising places won't use 'Christmas', they use 'X-mas' instead. Lots of stores won't allow you to say 'Merry Christmas' to the customers, their reasoning being that not all people celebrate Christmas, so it's rude to say that. Instead, they want you to say 'Happy Holidays'. In the city that I live in, two years ago the mayor put up a nativity set at city hall. There were many in the city who were very upset about it, and even filed a lawsuit against the mayor. They claimed to have 'freedom from religion', even though it's really 'freedom of religion.'

I guess what my own viewpoints are, to kick the discussion off is, yes, I understand that not all people believe in Jesus, and not all people celebrate Christmas. However, I won't back down on the fact that Jesus really is the reason of the season. I have nothing against the term 'happy holidays', as I myself use it on occasion if I'm wishing someone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year's at the same time. But I don't think it's right to ban people from saying 'Merry Christmas'. I guess, I think it's dumb to get offended over someone saying 'Merry Christmas', even if you don't celebrate it. I don't celebrate Kwanza or Hannukah, but I wouldn't get offended if someone told me to have a good one. As for the nativity thing...I think that it's sad that we live in a day and age where our city leaders can't put up a simple display of christianity, even though our pledge of allegiance even says 'One nation, under God'. Our dollar bills even say 'In God we trust' on them.

So all in all, I guess what I'm really trying to say is, I know that the world is going to get worse and worse, but it makes me sad that Jesus seems to be getting more and more forgotten in the holiday season. Anyone care to share what their own thoughts are on the topic? I'd love to hear you guys's opinions. : )

Sorry for the long post, and also sorry if any of it sounds jumbled. It's two am where I live. ^_^;;

I love Christmas. I love the lights and the way almost everyone gets into the spirit of giving and decorating and making the world a more beautiful place. I love the crowds and I love the way that, even though many people may have forgotten, the truth is that we give gifts as a representation of the greatest gift God ever gave us. Even though we celebrate it at the wrong time, we still recognize it.

Businesses are businesses, they're not in business to make us feel good about our faith or our religious holidays. They're in business to make money. When we get all overwrought about how they greet us, we are giving the impression that what we really care about is money and gifts. When we accept their attempts to be thoughtful and careful not to offend in the spirit in which those attempts are intended, we show them the love of Christ.

It's not about us, it's not about who wishes us what, it's about how generous we are with the world, how forgiving, how compassionate, how patient. And by accepting gifts we allow those who love us to share in this tribute to the great gift of God's Son which was given to all the people's of the world.

Be gracious, that others may see what grace looks like. Be loving, that others may know what love is like. Be kind, that others may get what well may be their only kindness.

If we follow Christ and treat others as He would have us treat them, than it really doesn't matter what people say to us, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, or Merry Christmas because we will have Christmas all year long in our hearts.

I am honestly not the biggest Christmas fan because it's a time of year that one can get easily distracted with presents and other things of this world or participating with a pagan holiday that it can tear people apart. I've seen people argue over Christmas gifts and get mad about materialistic things.

I don't think there's anything wrong having a tree, though. As long as your intent isn't to go by pagan belief. You could put a star to resemble the star of Bethlehem or say that the tree resembles the tree of life (after all, pines are coniferous (sp?) ). I believe the intent truly matters and it is what you make of it.

I don't believe Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. I believe he was born just couple months previous. However, I don't see anything wrong with celebrating Jesus' birth on Christmas Day, even if it's a little late. It's like celebrating a belated birthday so either way, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ isn't bad to do it on Christmas day. In the end, it doesn't matter whether we believe he was born on December 25th or not.

Although as Christians, we should try to revolve every day of the year to God and Jesus Christ along with Christmas smile that's the most important part.