It's the Hollidays

It depresses me that people call it "the holidays."

There, I talked to someone. :D
 
Ted DuPuis said:
It depresses me that people call it "the holidays."

There, I talked to someone. :D
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well, there 3 in this season, what else would you call them?

Well, actually make that 5,,,,,,,,, I forgot Quanzi, (sp) and Ground Hog Day.
 
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Tom-D said:
Your saying it is just reported more?

still sad.

get some meds.
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According to the Annenberg Study, yes -- there is more press ink dedicated to suicide and depression during the "Holidays," but there is no evidence that there is any increase in overall rates.

More than 33,000 suicides occurred in the U.S. This is the equivalent of 91 suicides per day.

In fact some studies suggest that rates are down during Christmas and only revive in January.

Suicide is always sad and inexplicable, any time of year.

"Despite data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics (see Figure 1 below) indicating that suicide rates are at their lowest in December, while peaking in the spring and fall, the holiday-suicide myth has been perpetuated by reporters reluctant to give up the ultimate, counterintuitive take on the season of good cheer." Annenberg Center Study:The Media and the Holiday Suicide Myth
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Tom-D said:
well, there 3 in this season, what else would you call them?
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I'd call it the Christmas season since that's the one I celebrate.

Funny thing - I'm from New York City, was raised around people of all different cultures, and none of us used the politically correct "Happy Holidays" or similar. My Jewish friends wish me a Happy Chanukah (sp) and I'd wish them a Merry Christmas. Similar for Muslim, athiest, etc. friends.

People are too easily offended and too afraid of offending others.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
I'd call it the Christmas season since that's the one I celebrate.

Funny thing - I'm from New York City, was raised around people of all different cultures, and none of us used the politically correct "Happy Holidays" or similar. My Jewish friends wish me a Happy Chanukah (sp) and I'd wish them a Merry Christmas. Similar for Muslim, athiest, etc. friends.

People are too easily offended and too afraid of offending others.
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The Constitution guarantees the pursuit of happiness, some choose to not pursue it.

If what you wish others makes you happy,,,,,,, go for it.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
I'd call it the Christmas season since that's the one I celebrate.
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What I want to know is why is the season expanding? Like baseball and hockey, which seem to go on your round now is the holiday, the single day of Christmas, a season that starts around the end of October and runs to the middle of January? It never seemed to be that long, but now it is. Is it because the the "War on Christmas" is being lost ?? :rolleyes:

Last Friday I was at the barber shop getting my hair cut, the inevitable 'war on Christmas' discussion was going on. Two points that were being made were that the use of the term 'Happy Holiday' was offensive to the person talking and also that the term 'Merry X-mas' was also bad as it is CHRISTmas.

I took the latter issue first and pointed out that X ... was an appropriate shortening of the word for Christ as the Greek spelling of Chistos started with an X. Historically that was the code since the 2nd century AD.

Then for the former I mentioned that it was 2 weeks away from Christmas but it was the first day of Hanukkah and wished the same to the person. I left him slack jawed and unable to respond. 'Tis the season.....

falalala laaaaa.
 
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The season is no longer than it ever was; the sales push associated with it, is.
 
smigaldi said:
What I want to know is why is the season expanding? Like baseball and hockey, which seem to go on your round now is the holiday, the single day of Christmas, a season that starts around the end of October and runs to the middle of January? It never seemed to be that long, but now it is. Is it because the the "War on Christmas" is being lost ?? :rolleyes:

Last Friday I was at the barber shop getting my hair cut, the inevitable 'war on Christmas' discussion was going on. Two points that were being made were that the use of the term 'Happy Holiday' was offensive to the person talking and also that the term 'Merry X-mas' was also bad as it is CHRISTmas.

I took the latter issue first and pointed out that X ... was an appropriate shortening of the word for Christ as the Greek spelling of Chistos started with an X. Historically that was the code since the 2nd century AD.

Then for the former I mentioned that it was 2 weeks away from Christmas but it was the first day of Hanukkah and wished the same to the person. I left him slack jawed and unable to respond. 'Tis the season.....

falalala laaaaa.
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Hope you didn't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back, but the X-mas fellow had a point. How many retailers and shoppers understand or even know about 2nd Century Greek?

X-mas gained usage from the 20s to 60s as a way to reduce signage costs, etc. It wasn't a widespread effort to go back to roots.

As far as Hanukka, even non-Jews know that the festival is a minor one in the Jewish calendar and has only risen in prominence as a counterpoint to Christmas.
 
dmccormack said:
Hope you didn't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back, but the X-mas fellow had a point. How many retailers and shoppers understand or even know about 2nd Century Greek?
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The only point he had was on his head. He was being a dumb-arse and showing his ignorance. He struck as me as the type of guy who complains about the commercialism of Christmas by buying stickers to plaster all over his car protesting that Christ is no longer in Christmas.

dmccormack said:
X-mas gained usage from the 20s to 60s as a way to reduce signage costs, etc. It wasn't a widespread effort to go back to roots.
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Citation please? X has always been the shorthand of Christ or Χριστὸς (Christos)

dmccormack said:
As far as Hanukka, even non-Jews know that the festival is a minor one in the Jewish calendar and has only risen in prominence as a counterpoint to Christmas.
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You're point? Is it that it is ok to ignore that holiday because the Christian one is better, bigger, stronger than before? Might I remind you that the fanaticism over Christmas is rather new found. It was not really until a short while ago that it became this giant event. There is no where in the New Testament calling out the holiday as one of celebration. A true Christian would seem to be more involved in Easter. There is also the whole fictional birthday ont eh 25th. Pretty much all agree that if there is a Jesus he sure as heck was not born on the 25th of December.
 
Christmas wasn't even a holiday in the US until 1870. Despite that, and anything else I might have posted, I truly do wish a Merry Christmas to all applicable persons.
 
smigaldi said:
The only point he had was on his head. He was being a dumb-arse and showing his ignorance. He struck as me as the type of guy who complains about the commercialism of Christmas by buying stickers to plaster all over his car protesting that Christ is no longer in Christmas.
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I have no idea if he was "that type," and apparently the only evidence you have is some perception.

smigaldi said:
Citation please? X has always been the shorthand of Christ or Χριστὸς (Christos)
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Yes, for those with knowledge of Greek -- harldy common for retailers and shoppers. I can comfortably argue this point without sources.

smigaldi said:
You're point? Is it that it is ok to ignore that holiday because the Christian one is better, bigger, stronger than before? Might I remind you that the fanaticism over Christmas is rather new found. It was not really until a short while ago that it became this giant event. There is no where in the New Testament calling out the holiday as one of celebration. A true Christian would seem to be more involved in Easter. There is also the whole fictional birthday ont eh 25th. Pretty much all agree that if there is a Jesus he sure as heck was not born on the 25th of December.
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Good grief -- where to begin?

The fact that Joe barbershop didn't know it was the first day of Hanukkah should not be surprising. Chistmas is one day, and always the same day. Most Jews I know can't tell me when half the Holy days begin without consulting a calendar.

As far as "Giant event" -- the New Testament says Angels sang, Wise men travelled, and Herod was afraid -- sounds like a pretty big deal.

Was Rudolph or Santa involved? No... but these are traditions that have arisen around the holiday, and they are harmless and festive. Most Christians can separate Reindeers from Redemption.

December 25th is no mere accident -- Hippolytus argued it was Christ's birthday in the second century. The evidence that the shepherds were afield is hardly conclusive -- there are accounts of shepherds out with flocks year round in that time.

As far as "Pretty much all agree" -- who are these "All"?
 
dmccormack said:
I have no idea if he was "that type," and apparently the only evidence you have is some perception.
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And that I had listened to home drone on for 10 minutes.

dmccormack said:
Yes, for those with knowledge of Greek -- harldy common for retailers of shoppers I can comfortably argue without sources.
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So your argument is that most Christians are ignorant of their own religion and beliefs, questioning without learning? Interesting. I know plenty of people who knew that, but then, maybe I run around a more educated crown than you do.


dmccormack said:
Good grief -- where to begin?

The fact that Joe barbershop didn't know it was the first day of Hanukkah should not be surprising. Christmas is one day, and always the same day. Most Jews I know can't tell me when half the Holy days begin without consulting a calendar.
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I did not expect him to know the day, but at least in this day in age it is not unusual that one should know that December is not the exclusive month of Christmas. Geesh, I know plenty of people who are aware of Hanukkah that are not Jewish.

dmccormack said:
As far as "Giant event" -- the New Testament says Angels sang, Wise men travelled, and Herod was afraid -- sounds like a pretty big deal.
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So how does that translate into a big celebration with trees and Santa and buying presents for the rug rats?

dmccormack said:
Was Rudolph or Santa involved? No.. but these are traditions that have arisen around the holiday, and they are harmless and festive. Most Christians can separate Reindeers from Redemption.
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"Most"?? Not all? So some believe they need a reindeer to be saved? :rolleyes::D

dmccormack said:
December 25th is no mere accident -- Hippolytus argued it was Christ's birthday in the second century. The evidence that the shepherds were afield is hardly conclusive -- there are accounts of shepherds out with flocks year round in that time.

As far as "Pretty much all agree" -- who are these "All"?
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Of course it all aligns with the other major holiday of December of that time, Satrunalia and the equinox. We all know that the date is fake. Picked out of the arse of guy trying to placate early Christians. Tell me the movement of Mary and Joseph to Nazareth was to coincide with a census taking place. Can you tell me when the historical record, not the biblical one, places the date of the census? The date of the 25th is the commemoration of his birth for those that believe in him, not his actual birth.
 
smigaldi said:
What I want to know is why is the season expanding? Like baseball and hockey, which seem to go on your round now is the holiday, the single day of Christmas, a season that starts around the end of October and runs to the middle of January? It never seemed to be that long, but now it is. Is it because the the "War on Christmas" is being lost ?? :rolleyes:
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Oh, that is a major peeve of mine as well. The appropriate time for decorations is Advent as far as I'm concerned, so essentially the month of December.

Christmas is a significant holiday, but Easter is by far the biggest holiday, at least that's how I was raised. As my mom said (explaining to a Jewish friend): "People are born every day. How often does someone rise from the dead?"

Now, can't we all just get along? It's Christmas! :D

MerryChristmas.jpg
 
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