The meaning of the season to me is...

[singletrackmind]

A and C, but yeah except the gift giving isn't a meaning part for me, either.

[Starfish]

C & D for me.

[smilingcat]

I'm not spiritual in traditional sense but I voted for spiritual and time for reflection. Yes, it is a time for reflection for me. Was I nice and kind to fellow man? I hope so.

the words on "grown up Christmas list" means a lot to me. I don't view it as religious. I view it as something we should strive.

Happy Holidays,
Smilingcat

[roadie gal]

I'd have to vote either "none of the above" or "other".

I'm not any more or less spiritual this time of year than any other. I would be very happy if there was some emphasis on spirituality (as opposed to religiosity) and giving to the needy this time of year instead of on commercialism, even though I'm not Christian.

[Mr. Bloom]

I would be very happy if there was some emphasis on spirituality (as opposed to religiosity)

An important distinction...I disdain religiosity and feel that it's a hindrance to spiritual growth...

[KnottedYet]

I am a bit dismayed at how crass some of the "Xmas" commercials and ads for gifts have become. And the horrible stress.

Next year I want to celebrate Winter Solstice, with the traditions that historically belong to winter solstice (holly, tree, lights, warm fire, mistletoe, food, little gifts) and de-emphasize the presents. I'd rather Winter Solstice felt more like Thanksgiving or New Year.

Christ's Mass is a christian holy day. It doesn't matter one whit that Jesus was actually born in late summer, the day his birth is celebrated should be respected, not turned to a greed driven free-for-all.

People getting into fights in shopping malls after the best deals, feeling shamed into purchasing more than they can afford, taking gifts back to get what they "really" want, diamonds and cars offered up as ideal gifts in tv ads... none of that is the "spirit of the season" (Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Christ's Mass, Solstice, Saturnalia, Eid al Adha, Jul, etc.) as far as I'm concerned.

[kelownagirl]

Knot - I have managed to escape most o that by turning off the TV. It was hard at first but my life is infinitely better without TV. I only watch hockey and DVD's now. No more crap, no more commercials.

Anyway - I found this on our local news webpage today. Thought it was interestingly relevant - but US results would likely be very different.



Meaning of Christmas?
Dec 24, 2007 / 3:00 pm

A new Ipsos Reid poll released today and conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that while most (94%) Canadians celebrate Christmas, the meaning of Christmas is not the same for all Canadians.

A majority (60%) who celebrate Christmas say, for them, it is best described as ‘a time for family’, virtually unchanged from the 57% who believed the same in 1995.

Further, just 23% believe that Christmas is best described as ‘a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ’, remaining relatively consistent since 1995 (21%).

However, for some (10%) Christmas is just ‘a time for sharing and gift-giving’ (8% in 1995), while others (7%) believe that it is simply ‘a nice festive season in the middle of the winter’ (7% in 1995).

The Christmas season is also a time of tradition for many. In 1995, 86% of Canadians said that they would have a Christmas tree, while in 2007 six in ten (60%) individuals who celebrate Christmas indicate that the will have an artificial tree in their home, while a little more than one third (35%) will have a real Christmas tree.

In preparation for Santa’s climb down the chimney, six in ten (60%) will be hanging stockings on Christmas Eve, which is virtually unchanged since 1995 (58%).

Thinking about the religious meaning of December 25th, nearly one half (48%) of Canadians who celebrate Christmas will be going to church either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, down slightly from the 55% in 1995 who said they would be going to church. However, just as many Canadians in 2007 as in 1995 say they’ll be having a nativity scene in their home (47%).

One tradition that is often a favourite for many is Christmas dinner. Specifically, eight in ten (81%) Canadians suggest that they will be having turkey for Christmas dinner, up from 75% in 1995.

While almost all (94%) Canadians, whether they celebrate Christmas or not, say that they love visiting with family and friends during the festive holidays in December and early January, it appears that all of activities associated with the season are having their toll on Canadians.

Nearly one half (45%) agree that ‘the festive holidays in December and early January are the most stressful times’ of the year.

[Mr. Bloom]

Christ's Mass is a christian holy day. It doesn't matter one whit that Jesus was actually born in late summer, the day his birth is celebrated should be respected, not turned to a greed driven free-for-all.

Often misunderstood by many, Christmas is not the most significant Christian celebration. Easter is the most significant by a long shot...