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Topic: Christmas is coming!!!!!

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Subject: Christmas is coming!!!!!
Date Posted: 11/12/2007 3:57 PM ET
Member Since: 7/28/2007
Posts: 487
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I am so excited about Christmas and Thanksgiving coming! 

I have a question for the Christians on the board.  Last year I got really upset by all of the public outcry by Christians over store associate not saying/not being allowed to say Merry Christmas.  My minister and I talked about for a long time and I told him that I felt like my faith and the way I celebrate Christmas are very personal and I do not care what the folks at Target say or do not say to me.  I personally feel like if a store clerk is kind after being harrassed by the general public all day long that is good enough for me.  I can take Happy Holidays as Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all in one and go along on my merry way!

Do you guys get offended by stores that do not let associates say Merry Christmas?  How do you handle it?  Not trying to start anything...I am just curious, because I felt so weird in my thoughts last year.

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Date Posted: 11/12/2007 6:35 PM ET
Member Since: 5/7/2006
Posts: 5,295
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Well, I was told by a boss a few years ago to only send Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays cards to people.  I thought it would be ok for Christian people at least. I guess that's the world we live in. I will send one's only from me with Merry Christmas on it.

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Date Posted: 11/12/2007 7:19 PM ET
Member Since: 6/19/2007
Posts: 5,973
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Personally I think it's just semantics, whatever words you use the sentiment is the same.  Essentially any variation boils down to "I hope you enjoy some peace and relaxation and joy between November and January."  Reasonable people of any religion can appreciate that in any form.

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Date Posted: 11/12/2007 8:24 PM ET
Member Since: 6/23/2005
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I hate arguing, and I was taught to be nice to everyone regardless, so I just smile and go on..

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Date Posted: 11/12/2007 9:58 PM ET
Member Since: 10/3/2006
Posts: 638
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It doesn't bother me either.  Of course I wouldn't get offended is some wished me a Happy Kwanza/Yule/Hannauka either,  Someone wants me to be happy, cool beans. :D

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 11/12/2007 10:50 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
Posts: 6,143
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Nope, I don't get offended if the store associates can't/don't say Merry Christmas.  For me, of course, Christmas is all about Jesus, and I do want to think about Him as much as I can during the season.  But, I don't go to the store looking for Christmas, or affirmation of Christmas, if that makes any sense.  If someone does or doesn't want to wish me a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or what have you, that's fine.  It doesn't effect my celebration of the birth of Christ whatsoever. 

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Date Posted: 11/12/2007 11:01 PM ET
Member Since: 6/23/2005
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Exactly Brenda! My faith is MINE. No one can change that except me, so I don't have to defend it. 

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Date Posted: 11/13/2007 9:44 AM ET
Member Since: 7/28/2007
Posts: 487
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Wow Brenda...you said that so well and summed up my feelings almost to a tee....

Glad to know I am not the only one that doesn't care what the folks out there say to me in regards to the holiday!

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Date Posted: 11/13/2007 7:14 PM ET
Member Since: 11/1/2007
Posts: 115
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Perhaps as an old codger I do get upset with the trend to try to take Christianity out of all public facilities. Christmas is such a cherished time for me and my family. What is more upsetting to me right now is that the day after Halloween I went to the store and Christmas music was being played. It seems Thanksgiving is becoming less and less valued as well. God bless America!

endoux avatar
Date Posted: 11/13/2007 11:11 PM ET
Member Since: 5/23/2005
Posts: 6,143
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Terry, I understand what you're saying, I really do!  On the news today there was a story about atheists being upset that the memorials for the state highway patrolmen were crosses.  They were suing for the memorials to be changed.  Sometimes it almost does seem like Christianity is the one thing that's not accepted anymore.  But at the same time, I don't like to see Christmas so commercialized.  Or Christianity at all, for that matter.  So I guess I'm saying, for me, I don't necessarily need to see it in the stores, or the public places.  I think it's in the people who are Christians, and it shines outward from there.