Merry Christmas individual.

It depends on your definition of "Healthy imagination"

Santa Clause is an example of a healthy imagination because no-one goes around doing harm in the name of Santa Clause.

An imagination in a God and what you think he may want you to do is a very unhealthy imagination.

Inventiveness of man has always been held back by those with such an unhealthy imagination, from Galileo to modern day stem cell research.

cont'd ...

To all OLO posters:

May you have
the Spirit of Christmas
which is Peace.
The Gladness of Christmas
which is Hope.
The Heart of Christmas
which is Love.

"In my life I want to become 'Better and do a little good.'

(Blessed Frederic Ozanam)

And on a lighter note - a Christmas Poem:

I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me

I made it some pyjamas
And a pillow for its head
Then last night it ran away
But first - it wet the bed.

o sung wo!brilliant idea for a thread.
But as it is so deep it may take us places you did not intend.
Once a Pagan Celebration its links to Christianity may not be as strong as some wish.
Santa Claus what ever his reason for being invented too leads back to A Pagan past.
One that bought people together for what may well have been the only time in a year.
Trade and gift giving may have come from there.
Today it is very much more a reason for getting us to buy, even max out the credit card to surge productivity.
As each generation of loved Children emerge and parents who totaly love them want to spend too much on them we are facing a hard task to kill the myth.
We however could with little effort see some stop giving them selvesv a new year of debt burden bought about by a myth.
I prefer my Christmas to be more the Pagan one.

Christmas and Santa is special for the kids and, as long they continue to be born, I think it's a special little something they deserve the right to experience, just like we did.

ponder/quote..<<.Your God does not exist.Your Jesus never existed. BUT the spirit of Christmas lives in the hearts of all that is good>>

ahh..there is the xmass spirit[we been missing]..

peace on earth..have your two faced mirth..pretenders ponder
but by their own words get revealed..but what is christmass really for[those who believe..who cant deceive]

http://www.christmas39.com/images/Christmas-Poems4.jpg

in the spirit of the season/lets disregard..the fairies at the bottom..of the garden[sarcasm..noted..but that brave who posts their half hearted wit..as if santa spirit..is the domain..of the half wit.

without christ....a feel good/thing
an excuse to drink/eat til your sick..buy over priced maxckdonalds rejects..wrapped up in single use poison paper.its crass excuse..for commercialism..and yet its symbolism..is important./

jesus was a jew,,how many menorah..arte at your dinner
from christ comes the good will
from satan..the excess

greed gluttony/drunkkeness/lavaciousness..yes indeed
what its really about is truely sick

and yet the love and joy..is worth the price
pleease note how neatly..the atheist antchrist have subverted[perverted]..christs accorded holy day

just as they have hidden..the true reason for his death..undrer a rabbit..and eggs..bah humbug..half of me is saying[but for you dear foxie..[songman..and lovers of other]

http://www.christmas39.com/category/christmas-poems

http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-home/2013/november-december/family-christmas-without-traditions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree

http://www.hbook.com/2013/12/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/holiday-high-notes-2013/

Hi there; TONY LAVIS...

I understand what you're saying with the religious connection and impact that Christmas has on us all ? All I'd say is, to each his own. I've no idea of the historical accuracy of Christmas Day, the alleged day that Christ was born ? Does it really matter ? The event was over two thousand years ago, whether it ever happened at all ? I do think, as you say, we all should be allowed to celebrate or enjoy the day in our own way. You mention substituting an Aussie Gum, for a European Pine, that's fantastic and a very novel idea !

Thank you very much indeed, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours, Tony.

SUSEONLINE...

Hi there Susie, thank you so much for your excellent contribution and I totally agree with you ! Oz without Christmas and Santa would not be Oz, ever. In fact it would be a very sad day that we, as a Nation could not celebrate a traditional Christmas, the way we've always done since whenever. Take care Susie please.

Hi there ON THE BEACH, old chap...

Your first para. is so correct. I'll not comment purely because of my BP ? You're perfectly correct when you say Aussies will celebrate their respective Christmases in the way they've done for 'yonks', similar to the views of SUSEONLINE.

Your other very important point, apropos the lonely, the dispossessed, the homeless people - more often forgotten when we're all around the Christmas table, the barbecue, or on the beach 'gorging' ourselves with rich Christmas fare. All the while those less fortunate are not only missing out on the lovely food, are denied the companionship, friendship, and love from others much more fortunate themselves, and yes even those in gaol, many do it pretty tough in there, despite all best efforts of the Salvo's to make it a special Day ?

Many thanks to you, ON THE BEACH.

ONE UNDER GOD, I'll be back later on in the day, sorry for that.