Lest it be thought that I want to inject a sense of guilt into those who will sit down to a nicely basted turkey, I have cooked turkey at Christmas for years, despite my wife's protests that it was too hot. Christmas IS an occasion and my conservative menu persisted even when we were empty-nesters!

The guilt and regret I want to see expressed is by those politicians who supported workplace laws that made jobs less secure, undermining family financial security, and creating a wages system that trends well below rising costs and the obscene excesses of company CEOs and senior managers. The irony of these politicians, who also profess their Christianity and family values, is that they have done more to undermine the family than any other generation. Labor's effort in the past three years to remedy the damage can be likened to giving a child a cheap toy destined to break before the Christmas dinner. Then there are those unspeakable Scrooges who sack their workers before the Christmas break to avoid paying holiday wages. They have no social conscience whatever. The worn-out workers in multiple jobs and intermittent employment – who survive in the hidden levels of the economy that can be measured by the growing disparity between rich and poor - have those politicians and such unconscionable employers to thank for a Christmas that will look more like the fifties than the prosperity of 2010.

Spare a thought for those families as you celebrate the family at Christmas and for those who have no family left and sit alone in a one bedroom flat. Ask what we do as a community for people who live out on the street at any time of the year let alone the festive season. Christmas is also a time for community celebration of the best of our species – the kindness we should always allow ourselves not only in burying family rivalry but also extending it to those who do not have the good fortune of a nicely cooked meal and the buzz of family around the Christmas table.

@Cornflower: "This is a case of never letting a chance go by to launch an attack on Christianity (as opposed to all organised religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam)."

Well, Cornflower, Christmas is a Christian feast not a Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, or any other religious festival. Christmas, as Chrys pointed out, has pagan origins as far as the timing of the festival. That's not an attack - it's stating what we know already. And where does Chrys attack Christianity? She writes about the celebration of the day as an atheist....

Thank you, Chrys, for a great peice of writing. I disagree with everything you say just about as passionately as I agree with it all.

I don't want to infuriate you (I'm guessing that I won't - you seem like a very nice person and Christmas at your place sounds terrific fun), but I'm particularly grateful to you for reminding me why I'm a Christian.

And ... I never thought I'd say this about an Online Opinion forum, but thanks to everybody who's responded so far for your engaging and well-written responses. I'm sure I'm speaking too soon.

Seamus,

From the article, <I was outraged. “Bloody Christians!” I hissed, “They stick their damned noses in everywhere. Now they’re taking over Christmas!”>

If one attends carols by candlelight sponsored by the local community church because the secular local government will not support the occasion, it is unreasonable to chaff because there was a prayer - which would have been expected and most likely demanded by the parishioners present. I am sure no-one's arm wouldn't have been twisted to attend or pray.

In any event, most people would be expressing their own spirituality and sense of community at the time, helped by the occasion and the expressions of universal goodwill. Well, almost universal, one participant was 'outraged' and 'hissing' while soaking up the atmosphere paid for by others. Not to mention 'their' use of 'her' carols, the cheek!

I don't believe that a local church would have taken up the responsibility and cost of staging the public entertainment solely to proselytise. That is just being mean and spiteful.

It is all so petty and intolerant.

Meanwhile, there are destitute families that are being helped out over Xmas and beyond by those very congregations. That is the major concern at Xmas of the churches close to me and yes, we give money, groceries and toys to several of the major churches in our suburb and I am certain those are put to good use.

We also do some 'elder' visits arranged one church, but that is an ongoing thing and there is no expectation whatsoever that we go to services. Never a mention of religion, just bring some fresh sandwiches (always appreciated) and have a comfortable chat over scalding tea. That reminds me to search for some holly for our home made boiled pudding - a slice for now and a generous slice for later - cheap to make but full of Xmas spirit (ahem, and rum). These occasions are times to give thanks and think of others. If the churches remind us of that, it is a good thing.

""From the article, <I was outraged. “Bloody Christians!” I hissed, “They stick their damned noses in everywhere. Now they’re taking over Christmas!”>

If one attends carols by candlelight sponsored by the local community church because the secular local government will not support the occasion, it is unreasonable to chaff because there was a prayer - which would have been expected and most likely demanded by the parishioners present. ""
Posted by Cornflower, Friday, 17 December 2010 11:24:50 AM

Cornflower, Chrys said that in the context the event had changes from being a friendly community event to a rock-concert-type evangelising one.

It was not a local community church anymore, and the issue of govt and its secularity does not come into it. Red Herring and StrawMen everywhere.

McReal

The evangelical churches are not representative of the very moderate vast majority of church congregations in this country. If she has a beef with one such then name it and give details.

But why tar all with the same brush - unless one is trying to stereotype of course.