Talk:Christmas

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Winter solstice?[edit]

I thought the winter solstice is either 20th or 21st December.... and not any date associated with Christmas. --Idiot number 58 (talk) 10:12, 25 December 2010 (UTC)

Only four days out, and there are similarities - neopagans celebrate the birth of the new solar year, Christians celebrate the birth of Mr "I am the light of the world." Rrose selavy (talk) 10:51, 25 December 2010 (UTC)
It's incorrect anyway. If there really was a Jesus born, his birth would more than likely have been in the spring, because of the mention of shepherds watching their flocks by night out on the hills during this event. Since spring is lambing time, it could not have been winter. The permanency of 25th December didn't occur until the 4th century under papal edict of Pope Julius I. Prior to that date, most Christians celebrated Christmas as falling on 6th January - Epiphany. The 25th also coincides with Dies Natalis Solis Invicti which means 'birthday of the unconquered sun' in the Mithraic religion. Mithraic religion was still very strong compared to other pagan cults in the 4th century, mainly due to Roman soldiers being adherents. FreeThought (talk) 11:23, 25 December 2010 (UTC)
I seems the solstice was really Yule. But everything has now been lumped into the Christmas 25th date.--BobSpring is sprung! 18:39, 25 December 2010 (UTC)

Atheists and Christmas[edit]

Some/most closet atheists go through the motions of celebrating Christmas and many atheists enjoy the secular part of Christmas. Other atheists refuse celebrate any holidays or choose alternative secular holidays. Many atheists celebrate Christmas because they do not want to stand out as different. Lying and telling young children that Santa Claus exists can prepare them to accept religious belief. [1] Atheist parents living in cultures that celebrate Christmas may choose to give their children Christmas presents, of course there is no need to pretend presents are from Santa. If children feel left out when their friends get presents this can cause resentment.

I think the above is relevant and it was referenced. Proxima Centauri (talk) 02:26, 26 August 2012 (UTC)

"Of the House of David"[edit]

That Joseph was a descendant of David means that Mary was not? How is that "rational"?

((The above was moved, because I felt it "fits better" here. I have no idea what the original author may have meant. -- 11 June 2013))

It's possible I'm missing something, but I don't think the bible quote currently (11 June 2013) on the page supports the claim in the previous sentence (that "according to several Old Testament prophecies, the messiah is to be a direct, traceable, patrilineal descendent of King David"). Specifically, if God is Jesus's father, then claiming that Jesus has a traceable patrilineal line of descent to Kind David is absurd. -- 11 June 2013

Bull[edit]

This article contains bullshit from that movie "Zeitgeist". I will try to remove it. (Agrajag (talk) 15:29, 23 December 2014 (UTC))

Suggestion[edit]

Make use of the Russian Orthodox Christmas - double the fun/religion in more decorative surroundings - and as it takes place on 7 January things can be bought in the sales/restaurants do not overcharge so much. (And 'whatever Jesus Christ gets out of Christmas' he will get more out of the double celebration.) 82.44.143.26 (talk) 18:44, 14 December 2015 (UTC)

Brussels sprouts[edit]

If you want them ready for Christmas, start cooking them now.

They are actually quite nice if #properly# cooked, not stewed into slime. 82.44.143.26 (talk) 15:52, 27 June 2016 (UTC)