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Post by elizabeth on Feb 10, 2007 20:26:57 GMT -8
12/9/06:
This could be a interesting issue for some. I had a big debate with a friend of mine on this issue. So Does anyone know Lars Larson? Has anyone heard about the controversy over the name of the big tree with lights on it, in downtown Portland? The city will not "officially" call it a Christmas tree, they will however refer to it as a holiday tree. What do you think/feel about that?
Side note Lars Larson made an issue of this and is "renting" a part of the downtown near the tree and puting up a cross.
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Post by michelle on Feb 10, 2007 20:27:43 GMT -8
12/06: Here is an article that relates to your question, Elizabeth. I think it is an interesting topic and question and I will respond with my thoughts later. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10355980/ |
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Post by michelle on Feb 10, 2007 20:28:24 GMT -8
12/11/06:
As promised, here are my thoughts on the Christmas/Holiday tree issue. These are just my ramblings and are no judgement on anybody that does not agree with me, so please don't be offended by what I might say.
As I Christian, I understand that it's frustrating that society wants to celebrate a holiday that was originally to celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet they don't want to call it Christmas because not everyone believes in Jesus. The secular world has piggybacked off a Christian holiday and turned it in to more than it was originally intended to be.
That said, I think that a lot of things that we associate with Christmas don't necessarily need to be. For instance, the "Christmas" tree. I don't know a lot about the history of the Middle East at the time of Jesus' birth, but I'm pretty sure they didn't put up decorated fir trees to celebrate Jesus' birth. In fact, I'm not sure how the Christmas tree came about in the first place. If anyone knows, I would be interested in knowing the origin of that tradition.
I have really come to not like Christmas, because it always feels like a job to me. Run around and buy presents for everyone, put up lights, cut down a tree and decorate it. It just feels like there are so many things associated with Christmas that do not at all pertain to the "true meaning of Christmas".
I think it is fantastic that Lars Larson is going to put up a cross near the tree. However, I actually think it's kind of nice that they call it a "holiday tree" and not a Christmas tree, even though the reasoning behind it is different than the intention I wish they had. I think it teaches a significant lesson that Christmas is not about a tree, but about Christ.
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Post by Josh on Feb 10, 2007 20:29:25 GMT -8
12/14/06:
If my memory serves me it was Martin Luther who introduced the Christmas Tree to Christmas, and like the whole Christmas celebration itself, it was an attempt to take a core of something good in pagan celebrations and 'baptize' it into Christianity.
Christians have often found the Christmas Tree to be significant as it serves as a foreshadowing sign of Jesus' death on a tree, which was his foreordained mission even as he was lying in a manger.
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hume
Advanced Member
Posts: 136
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Post by hume on Feb 10, 2007 20:30:01 GMT -8
12/12/06:
Happy Religious And/Or Non-religious Voluntary Seasonally Appropriate Cultural Observance!
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Post by kevin on Feb 10, 2007 20:31:16 GMT -8
10/28/06:
I think that it is absurd, during the holiday of hanukkah the city of Portland has an overt menorot in Pioneer Courthouse Square and they don't call it a holiday flame holder or some silly euthanism.
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Post by Josh on Feb 10, 2007 20:31:56 GMT -8
10/29/06:
"Holiday Flame Holder"
Nice. That's got a catchy ring to it.
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