Come and join me in the lonely thread!

[Strong in Him]

Yes, we could do with more valid celebrations, specially in winter, I mean, there's Halloween which really is dead iffy I think.

I hate Halloween - not just for spiritual reasons, occult connections etc, but because trick or treat is basically blackmail. I mean sorry to sound like a kill joy who deprives kids of their sweets, or whatever; but basically what they are saying is "give us a treat, or take the consequences". I have heard of some horrid "tricks" being played on those who won't play ball.
Many churches seem to be providing positive alternatives to these Halloween "celebtrations" though, in the form of parties, or kid's entertainment. maybe you could start one, if it doesn't already happen near you?

Christmas is great, as far as it goes, though there are some Christians who don't think it should be celebrated.

The real meaning of Christmas- fantastic! Emmanuel, God with us, very special.
The whole Christmas season - far too commercialised, starts too early, and I'm sure some kids think it is only about Santa Claus/elves who make toys/snowmen etc etc. The outward face of Christmas is very false - sparkling adverts that show perfect Christmas meals, extravagant trees, families smiling all day and exchanging beautiful, expensive and perfectly wrapped presents. The reality is different, some people get very lonely at Christmas and it can be a stressful time if there has been a divorce/bereavement in the family.

I actually almost prefer Easter, which to me seems more meaningful in some ways.

I love Easter. Though again, the marketing people have taken it over and it is now the festival of the chocolate bunny!

New Year's Eve I like, simply because the old year's finished and youn look forward to the new, and I love going out at midnight, with all the fireworks going up for about 15 mins, and people you don't know from houses all around come out and greet each other and wish a Happy New Year. There's a kind of expectancy and sense of community almost, even if just for a few minutes, and also a kind of hope, and one can also think, it's one year closer to Christ's return.

That's a great way of looking at it. I'm often not well enough to go out to parties/the church watchnight service any more, and I miss it.

 

[irenemcg]

What is this a British thread?

 

[irenemcg]

OOPS there are a couple of Americans around.

 

[Strong in Him]

What is this a British thread?

I don't think it was meant to be, but the first few posters were British and I thought it'd be fun to see how long we could keep it like that! I think it was set up for those who weren't celebrating thanksgiving.

Not that others aren't welcome.