Once again this debate raises its head,
so should we, as Australians, celebrate Christmas, with all of its trappings or should we move for the abolition of all religious holidays and leave the celebration of Christmas to private religious practice?

I would suggest celebrate Christmas as long as you still can.

I am in Europe right now and just learned Turkish authorities have yesterday banned a German school in Turkey from even only mentioning Christmas, and don't dare to think about singing Christmas carols.

(While on the other hand there are thousands of Turkish teacher teaching Islam in German schools, paid by the Turkish Government).

Sorry in case that was not what you intended your question to be about. It just came to my mind somehow ...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

Dear Is Mise,

Of course we should continue to celebrate Christmas.
We have freedom of religion in this country and
all Australians are free to follow any religion they
choose so long as its practices do not break any
Australian law.

Merry Christmas Is Mise, to you and your family.

Economically we can not dispense with Christmas, as the loss of its financial benefits would be disastrous for the western economies. So regardless Christmas has to stay. Although 63% of Australians profess to be Christian, only a minority of those celebrate Christmas with any real religious fervour. The majority treat it as a holiday season, with the associated gift giving, and receiving, and the piss up and glutinous excesses that goes with it.
The 'Coca Cola' Santa Claus has far more prominence before and during the festive season, than any baby in a crib. Christmas carols, to which this atheists is partial, come in both the religious, 'Silent Night' type, and nonreligious 'Jingle Bells' variety, both types enjoying equal popularity. Why do people enjoy Christmas carols, because they sound good, and they help to sell stuff down at K-Mart.
I have a Muslim friend, a very well educated engineer, who when his children were young, put up the Christmas tree etc etc, gave the kids gifts from Santa just like any normal Australian. I did ask him why, the answer "why should my kids miss out", fair call. Then again my friend enjoyed a few glasses of 'Johnny Walker' at the social occasions, birthdays, Christmas etc. I probably contributed to his religious downfall, giving him the odd bottle of black label as a gift.

Merry Christmas Foxy to you and your family.

Yes I agree with your sentiments on the subject, although as I said, I don't think there is a lot of religious significance placed on Christmas by the majority of professed Christians in Australia, it tends to take a back seat to the fun stuff like eating, drinking and being merry at this time of the year. I don't know when Christ was born, although it is highly unlikely it was December 25th, it has 1 chance in 365. Was Jesus a Capricorn, again probably not.

My favorite Christmas carol, with plenty of Santa and no Jesus. What is yours?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FWNcgcosM

Dear Paul,

A Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine.

Wishing everyone on this Forum a Joyous Festive
Season and a Healthy, Safe, and Good New Year.

Dearest Foxy,

I agree with you. I'm in a singing group (Sing Australia) and currently we are doing Christmas gigs every few days: two last Saturday, one at the airport and one on a lovely bloke's front lawn for all of his neighbours.

I've always been an atheist and always will be, but I like the tunes, and the general sentiment of good wishes. W. G. James wrote some fantastic Australian songs, including a couple for Christmas.

Mind you, I'm dreading having to do 'Jingle Bell Rock' yet again. And again.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all OLO contributors and readers !

Love,

Joe

Merry Christmas - Derr
You don't even have to be religious in Australia to celebrate Christmas.
Its about spending time with family, enjoying a meal together, and mostly about kids opening presents.

Dear Joe,

I've been spending time at the Dementia Wing
of my mum's nursing home - Helping to decorate
the entire wing including her suite
(I've bought Christmas Wreaths,
Christmas Decorations, tinsel, et cetera).
We've had singing, lunches, art and music therapy.
The Wing and her suite look fabulous - and mum has thoroughly
enjoyed herself. Which is the main thing. I've bought
Andre Rieu's Dvd - "Home for Christmas," which I shall
play for all the residents to watch. I think they will
enjoy it.

This is such a busy time of the year but I've got
things under control. Christmas Eve will be at our
place with a sea-food banquet, and Christmas Day
lunch will also be at our place with the traditional
lunch of ham, turkey, et cetera. I thought that
I would not be able to do all this for my family this year -
(I couldn't last year), but I've got things under
control. Christmas Eve Mass is something we all
look forward to.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Health, Safe, and
Joyful New Year.

Now, I'm going to brag just a little bit.
Much to my surprise I received (via email) the
most beautiful Christmas Card from Lucy and Malcolm
Turnbull. With a wonderful message. It was lovely.
How about that.

Dearest Foxy,

That card was probably for being in the Top Five Nicest People in Australia. They didn't rank them so as not to make the others feel bad :)

Even as an atheist, I love the sentiments of the Benediction, which I offer you here: 'May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he caise his face to shine upon you, and give you peace.'

Love,

Joe

The first Christmas was a family gathering as Mary and Joseph and Joseph's three sons from his first wife, return to his parents home for a Census imposed by the Romans, probably about 4BC, the gift the virgin Mary received was a healthy son to now be included in the Census. Astrologers hearing that a king was born in Israel came from East of Bethlehem and brought gifts to the house to bless the child with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gifts suitable for a young king.

The term Christmas [Christ Mass] means a celebration of Christ's birth. To celebrate there must be a reason, even to use the term happy holy-days is a religious term meaning sacred or set apart days to celebrate. So what are we celebrating on those holy days?

I say to all those setting aside days to celebrate may your days be holy and you have a legitimate reason. Gluttony, selfishness and drunkenness are not holy reasons

In terms of myself, the element I find most repugnant are atheists who on one hand question Christianity, in many ways, including links with Christmas, (as if it simply not true) but at their own selection, gladly tell children about the "truth" of father Christmas, Santa and so on.

Not only is this is a double standard, it is pure hypocrisy, with no aim of being rude in saying that.

Personally I like to see Christianity, still last as an element of Christmas in 2016, as it has some depth to it, compared to getting tired of walking past shops with $2.00 Christmas decorations in the windows, that will eventually fall apart after the Christmas season is over and get chucked in the bin or seeing the rush of after Christmas sales on television.

May more spiritual parts of Christmas last. For those who want to continue a further cheapened Christmas, (with no time for reflection or spiritual elements included), please at least respect the views of others, and not just label them as silly, idiots, fools and so on.

Right or wrong... there is no point in losing our temper over that. Yet unfortunately I see much of that on this website.

lets celebrate evolution day. We could celebrate coming from slime, fish growing some legs and returning to the water for not being evolved enough. Even santa is more believeable. No wonder most evolutionist worship themselves.

Dear Joe,

Thank You for your Christmas Blessings.

I am always grateful for prayers and blessings.

Dear Josephus,

Our Prime Minister had a wonderful message in his
Christmas card. I'll share just a bit with everyone
right now as I think it's worth repeating:

"At Christmas we celebrate family, community and love.
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus and His message
of unconditional love and sacrifice. Whether we are
of any faith or none, it is love, forgiving, generous,
and unconditional, that brings us closest to the
very best we can be. It is important to remember those
whose Christmas is not as happy as our own, including
the lonely, the poor and the sick and those who are
away from family. Reach out to them where you can.
There are many charities that can help you brighten
the lives of others with your generosity and love.

Merry Christmas, a relaxing and safe holiday, and a
2017 filled with peace, happiness and love."

(Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull).

//The first Christmas was a family gathering as Mary and Joseph and Joseph's three sons from his first wife, return to his parents home for a Census imposed by the Romans, probably about 4BC, the gift the virgin Mary received was a healthy son//

Nah, Christmas traditions go way back before that, to pagan mid-winter celebrations and Roman holidays like Saturnalia. The Christians just jumped on the bandwagon to help popularise their religion. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Happy Hogswatch, everybody.

Hi there IS MISE...

My answer to you my friend - I hope you IS MISE, and your entire family have a very happy and joyous 'CHRIST'-mas and a healthy, peaceful 2017. I might just appraise all those who frequent this Site, this is the annual Christian festival upon which I was raised, as was our children and grandchildren!

Moreover, this is still Australia when last I looked, and we still celebrate and observe such important Christian festivities, like Easter and 'CHRIST'-mas time. Those who don't like it, well let peace descend quietly upon their houses, in Bankstown, Punchbowl and their immediate environs ?

And to all you other good folk, who see fit to regularly append their own thoughts and opinions to this perceptively august Site, the brilliant creation of Graham YOUNG'S and ors...

I'd like to wish everyone, including our many absent friends, a very happy, enjoyable and carefree 'CHRISTmas' together with a peaceful, and healthy 2017!

Merry Christmas everyone.
It is our background, our history even if we are not religious it forms
our mindset, our practises, even our laws, our ways of government.

It has over the centuries been moulded into a whole culture with
which we feel comfortable.
That is why we all celebrate Christmas.
It is an annual recognition of our life for this year and the next.

Happy New Year !

Hi there FOXY...

A mass of Christmas wishes to you too FOXY, as you wile away the hours, helping to decorate your dear Mum's Dementia ward. I'm sure both she, and the other patients are aware in part, what it is you and others are trying to do for them, in an attempt to brighten up their day for them. Still you don't know really, do you? In any event our very best wishes go to you, and your dear husband as well.

Dear O Sung Wu.,

We're treated like family members in mum's
Dementia Wing - not only by the residents
but by their families as well. We all look out for
each other. I get reports about mum from the family
members there. They keep me up to date with what's
happening when I'm not there - for which I am very
grateful. I do the same for them.
The vibe there is a very positive one.
For example, I was told that just recently
Melbourne's Lithuanian Choir visited the Nursing
Home and sang Christmas Carols for Mum and the other
residents. I would not have known this except that
another resident's family member told me. Apparently
the residents enjoyed the experience very much.
The Choir was dressed in their beautiful National
Costumes, which are very colourful -
And mum (who used to belong to the choir) hummed the
tunes, and mouthed the words, which she remembered.

Wishing you and your family - a Merry Christmas,
and a Healthy, Safe, and Happy New Year.

All The Best,

I love the most in the Christmas joy to children. priceless. Merry Christmas for everyone

My youngest daughter had her first baby last week, moved into her new house, 125 kilometres from here this week, & her husband is serving in Dubai.

It has been an exhausting Christmas so far, but it sure is memorable.

Hope you all have a happy, merry & memorable, if perhaps not so exhausting Christmas.

Merry Christmas all.

Dear Hassie,

Congratulations! is this your first grandchild?

Have a Merry Christmas and All The Best for the
New Year.

Thanks Foxy.

No it's my 4Th, but by the way my lady is behaving you would think it was her first.

Dear Hassie,

I fully understand your lady.
I've also got 4 grandchildren (3 boys and 1 girl).
They are the joy of my life.

This claptrap just has to come up every year, doesn't it. Do what you want to do. Do what you have always done. Don't listen to the bulldust of a minority of nitwits who have nothing better to do than cause controversy that doesn't actually exist. Our culture has celebrated Christmas in the same way for for two millenia. The Johny-come-latelies who haven't enjoyed Christmas before can join in with us,or ignore it. And, it is not they who have trouble with our beliefs and traditions, it is our own rotten elites, those self-loathing creeps, who have set up the problem that never was.

No one can escape the magic of Christmas.
Regardless of whether Christmas is a religious
or more of a cultural celebration for us and our
families it is something really special every
single year when everyone gathers around the
Christmas table and spends a few peaceful days
in the circle of their loved ones.

Interesting to see a politician in NSW actually grew a pair and demanded that the local council remove their signs that displayed, 'we wish you a merry holiday and a happy new year' and be replcade by the words 'merry christmas.

Three cheers i say because i for one have had a gut full of so called wannabe aussies wanting to change our ways. Of cause Paulines party is not gaining support by accident.

Love it of leave

Well it's that time of the year again - shopping centres covered in tinsel and with piped Christmas carols everywhere.

It's also time for the traditional annual "Christian Persecution and Martyrdom Complex" to kick in.

This nonsense - started by Right Wing extremists back in the 1960's and revived in the 90's by an anti-multicultural bigot Peter Brimelow - has been convenient fodder for all agenda-driven irrational thinkers ever since. It's just a paranoid attempt to be socially divisive.

We live in a predominantly white Christian country that has allocated two national public holidays specifically to celebrate that particular religion. The religion may be displayed and celebrated openly and in public with no reasonable limitation, enjoys tax-free status and is not under any sort of external threat or any persecution of its followers.

The "Happy Holidays" aspect is a commercial decision intended to be inclusive of various other groups who celebrate during the same period. It's all about the money and maximising profit from the Festival of Greed and Gluttony that it has become.

There is no "conspiracy" to ban it and such a belief falls within the realm of "manufactroversy" that includes such things as anti-vaxxers, ClimateGate, chemtrails, wind turbine sickness and even Obama's birth certificate - phoney outrage for the gullible.

Celebrate it any way you like but don't make it into yet another excuse for social disharmony by pretending it's something that it isn't.

The "happy holidays" crap has more to do with moral and religious cowardice than anything else. Christmas is under no threat except that from Anglo white wimps who seem to take a perverse joy in feeling threatened. I have never heard a Muslim or any other non-Christian say anything against Christmas. The last I saw of this nonsense was a Muslim woman with lots of kids, standing amid Christmas decorations saying, "Don't change it for me. I love it!", or words to that affect. Maybe Rache is right, on this occasion, and it is the venal traders wanting to gouge money out of non-Christians, too. You wouldn't think it was Christmas in Adelaide, with a few frowsy banners put up by the council with "Merry" on them - the word Christmas is nowhere to be seen - with few lights. The shops are even worse. What a load of crap. Lots of Australians who don't call themselves Christians love Christmas because it's a family time and a great joy to watch little kids opening presents. I would not be at all surprised if lots of Muslim families won't be hoeing into halal turkey on Christmas day.

Happy Christmas O Sung Wu and everyone else.

What I find ironic is that some people advocate "Happy Holy days" instead of "Merry Christ's mass"

Christmas derives from Old English "Crīstesmæsse" and Holiday is from
the Old English word hāligdæg (hālig "holy" + dæg "day").

So there !!

Folks, them strange numbers ain't swear words, the crept in the cut and paste.

I got an email advert for printer ink which openned with Happy Holidays.
I replied You have just lost a customer;
It is Merry Christmas, so have a Merry Christmas.
I will be interested to see if they come back to me.

Well I hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year !

Pleased to se that you have rejoined us Foxy, we need you to keep us in line.
We are such terrible AWM !

Hi there BAZZ...

And a very Merry 'CHRIST'mas to you and yours too! Notwithstanding I'm a born again Atheist, I was raised with the term 'Christmas' in my formative years, therefore it's good enough for me ! Moreover, I thoroughly agree with your comments concerning the return of our beloved 'FOXY', she's always brought a sense of elegance and balance to the Forum, whenever Boofheads like me go feral. If only we could entice the other two of a perfumed steamrollers to return - POIROT and SUSEONLINE, all would be good I reckon.

Have a good one mate.

Yeah Bazz that lady Kate Ellis also sent out a letter saying happy holidays to her electorate. She is to dumbed down to realise where the freedom to express her abhorrent form of feminism came from. Well I suppose when someone who was so incompetent in Government is relected we somewhat deserve what we get. She is obviously a ' sweetheart ' of the abc just like Rudd once was.