jomaxsmith Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 These days it's a milk float with just Father Christmas and they don't even bother to go down all the closes, they just stick to the main roads now. Since we've lived here The Round Table float has come round at some stupid hour like 8.30pm when I've just got the boys to sleep. They'd love to see it but not at that hour! Personally, just about the only thing I hate about Christmas is when people call it Xmas. I find it a bit rude, although I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me is going to tell me Christ has always been known as X! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I was raised a catholic, went to catholic schools all my life and had it drilled into to me that saying or writing 'xmas' was a sin/blasphemy so I've been brainwashed and try never to do it, unless I'm quoting someone The times I've done it, maybe when I've been in a rush or couldn't be bothered, I've had that rush of catholic guilt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 Personally, just about the only thing I hate about Christmas is when people call it Xmas. Jo I am duly chastised and appropriately penitant. However, even calling it Christmas I don't like the run up to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 ~~This~~ is worth a read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Thanks for finding that Egluntine, I had heard about the christian symbolism of xmas, but not seen it in full like that, interesting. I'm still not keen on using xmas though, purely personal - it looks like lazy text speak and I hate that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Thanks Egluntine I didn't really know that. But I did know that the X was fine to use. I grew up with a well-respected Rector who used it for Xians so I worked out that the X represented Christ. No need for guilt anymore then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 No need for guilt anymore then. [/color] i'm catholic, i was born guilty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Christmas is too commercial these days and has completely lost its meaning - there was something I read recently where it says the majority of people these days have no idea what Christmas is meant to celebrate..........and only 1 in 5 schools is putting on a Nativity play...........And it's NOT Santa's birthday!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 8, 2007 Author Share Posted December 8, 2007 No need for guilt anymore then. Phew, that's a relief. I can come out of the wardrobe again (sorry to Mr Darwin if he is reading). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Its Father Christmas and not Santa. If I had my way he would wear green not coke red but I think I would lose that battle. I knew about the X being the Greek but like someone says it annoys me as it looks lazy. I can't really complain though as my typing and grammar is appalling (blame my school). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Its Father Christmas and not Santa. If I had my way he would wear green not coke red but I think I would lose that battle. Bravo!! I totally agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Santa is a contraction of Santa Nikolaus (Saint Nicholas). Saint Nicholas is where the tradition of Father Christmas comes from. Some countries still celebrate on December 6th and not Christmas Eve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I hate to disagree with you Ginette but Father Chistmas pre-dates Santa and probably Christianity too, being based on a pagan green cloaked figure who embodied the spirit of winter and the coming spring and brought cheer. ~~This~~ excellent, beautifully illustrated article on the subject is well worth reading. The notion of "Santa" is an amalgamation of all the European winter figures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 In Austria & Germany, on 6th December came Nikolaus to the good Children. But if you'd been naughty, then came The Krampus & he would whip you!!!! A scary devil like creature with cow beels round his neck, that lived in the Alps. I've been whipped a fair few times round the Christmas Markets in Austria! I was soooo scared of Krampus! Christian will know what I mean - I'll try to find a picture. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 ok - here is link to Krampus! Scary!!! http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/krampus2.jpg Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 8, 2007 Author Share Posted December 8, 2007 A scary devil like creature with cow beels round his neck,. Emma.x I'VE SEEN HIM. There's someone like that lives up our road. I see him loads of time when I'm coming home from the pub. Don't see him at other times. funny that, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 8, 2007 Author Share Posted December 8, 2007 I've been whipped a fair few times round the Christmas Markets in Austria! Emma.x Is this a bit more information than you should be giving away? Or shouldn't I ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
