True spirit of Christmas
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
India
December 24, 2011 12:58am CST
Merry Christmas to every one!
I'm a person who tends to place more emphasis on understanding the true meaning of every festivity or celebration or of belief.
With the world set for another Christmas celebration soon, I was inquisitive as usual about this.
Surprisingly, the biggest Answer forum Answers.com [Wiki Answers] didn't have a listed answer to this question. Or may be the way this is phrased [the question that remains unanswered there is What is the true spirit of Christmas?]. Any one interested in, may add the answer.
But I found the most authentic answer at another site in search.
For those who may like a quick summary of what I found, it is here:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-152/The-True-Christmas-Spirit-1-of-2
This then is the supreme attitude of Christmas. This is the spirit of Christmas and it is the supreme time of worship for Christians as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. This time of all times is a time of worship. Worship...let me give you a brief definition...is an attitude. It is a spirit, something on the inside. It is an attitude of the heart that is so filled with wonder and gratitude at what God has done that there is not a thought of personal needs or personal blessings, only total abandonment to God in praise and adoration. That's worship. It is the most selfless thing we do. It is, as the hymn writer puts it, to be lost in wonder, love and praise. It is to be so grateful and so filled with wonder at what the Lord has done that we lose ourselves in adoring worship, adoring praise. What better time for this than Christmas when we focus on the very giving of Christ who is our Savior?
Do you have a similar or a different view on the true spirit of Christmas?
But I found the most authentic answer at another site in search.
For those who may like a quick summary of what I found, it is here:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-152/The-True-Christmas-Spirit-1-of-2
This then is the supreme attitude of Christmas. This is the spirit of Christmas and it is the supreme time of worship for Christians as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. This time of all times is a time of worship. Worship...let me give you a brief definition...is an attitude. It is a spirit, something on the inside. It is an attitude of the heart that is so filled with wonder and gratitude at what God has done that there is not a thought of personal needs or personal blessings, only total abandonment to God in praise and adoration. That's worship. It is the most selfless thing we do. It is, as the hymn writer puts it, to be lost in wonder, love and praise. It is to be so grateful and so filled with wonder at what the Lord has done that we lose ourselves in adoring worship, adoring praise. What better time for this than Christmas when we focus on the very giving of Christ who is our Savior?
Do you have a similar or a different view on the true spirit of Christmas?1 person likes this
3 responses
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
24 Dec 11
Hi Pushhyarag
Call me an atheist (which I am sure I am not) but I somehow differ. I only believe in one God and One kind of worship - "Do my role the right way!" The right way is again decided by me as I have that small computer in my head right which they call Brain and another known as Heart which is pure because I do not ever want to hurt anyone. I believe it continuing doing this.
To me, God is any one who helps, shows me the right path, gives me knowledge and the capacity to continue doing good, continue me NOT to harm or hurt anyone.
I have no religion and I believe in all faiths and celebrate only their Festivities just because I know, Life is short, my days numbered and I have to make the best of those counted days and also live the moment to the fullest and best possible witin my capacities.
I am not sure if that anywhere stands as Spirit of Christmas or Diwali or Eid or any other...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Call me an atheist (which I am sure I am not) but I somehow differ. I only believe in one God and One kind of worship - "Do my role the right way!" The right way is again decided by me as I have that small computer in my head right which they call Brain and another known as Heart which is pure because I do not ever want to hurt anyone. I believe it continuing doing this.
To me, God is any one who helps, shows me the right path, gives me knowledge and the capacity to continue doing good, continue me NOT to harm or hurt anyone.
I have no religion and I believe in all faiths and celebrate only their Festivities just because I know, Life is short, my days numbered and I have to make the best of those counted days and also live the moment to the fullest and best possible witin my capacities.
I am not sure if that anywhere stands as Spirit of Christmas or Diwali or Eid or any other...
MERRY CHRISTMAS1 person likes this
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
24 Dec 11
sids: you seem to connect a good chord with me on many things. In fact, I have not said that in this post but how I so wish that the supernatural is only called by one name [could be called almighty or whatever] and the worship is mere prayer devoid of so many rituals and religious customs! Hmmm. Could there be such an universal all pervading truth on earth? 
You carry very pragmatic notions about God but you need to lift your spirits up because there is nothing inscribed anywhere about the span of your life, You are practicing living life to the full & meaningfully so the rest is immaterial. 
The true spirit of Christianity is also embodied in your approach; so it does fit in!
You carry very pragmatic notions about God but you need to lift your spirits up because there is nothing inscribed anywhere about the span of your life, You are practicing living life to the full & meaningfully so the rest is immaterial.
The true spirit of Christianity is also embodied in your approach; so it does fit in!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
24 Dec 11
Hi Pushhyarag,
I have a similar view but eliminating the Christian/God aspect from it all. I do think that it is something that comes from within the heart. I say that I remove the God /Christian aspect to be fair to all of those that celebrate the holiday that have different beliefs and Gods or lack of them. This holiday means "something" to almost everyone. Even the ones that say it means "NOTHING" ...that is something. Regardless of how you celebrate it or what it means to you, I would wish for everyone that it is a time of happiness and connecting with family & friends and even maybe reaching out to strangers. I do see a lot of stress and frustration at this time also and that is NOT what it should be about. Judging others on how they celebrate is also not ok. I don't care much how they all go about it but I would just like to see everyone have a great time and enjoy the holiday whatever it means to you. Peace on Earth and Good will toward men!
1 person likes this
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
24 Dec 11
Hello sid556! I think the bottom-line is, yes, that there is peace & goodwill all-round. There shall be belonging, connecting and wishing. Well God or religion are individual and no one should hold anything against the other on this account. Wishing you a very eventful holiday!
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
24 Dec 11
Actually for me, we should treat everyday as Christmas. We should always put God in our heart and worship him at all times. We should give love and share our blessings to everyone.
Merry Christmas Pushhyarag!
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
24 Dec 11
You are the first & the right one! The key phrases from your response, worship and everyday sum up the true spirit I was trying to associate for Christmas. Blessings to you and a an eventful future ahead!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
24 Dec 11
Not Everyone is Christian. This started out as a Pagan holiday. Many people from all walks of life and many belief systems celebrate this day. I feel that the real right way would be to just hope that everyone enjoys the holiday in whatever way they choose to celebrate. In fact lets just wish for everyone to find happiness in their lives all year round .
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
24 Dec 11
THat is also true sids. What's important is that we see everyone enjoying on this season.
