by AJN 33 Replies latest jw friends
Do you enjoy it after so many years of not celebrating? Does it have any relevance to you now?
I live in NZ and it doesn't feel like xmas to me cause it's the middle of summer - it just doesn't compute so that helps really all in all. But what about you? How do you feel about xmas?
im not a jw, so ive always had christmas. but i just saw no one had replied yet, and i wanted to be first!
I love christmas, always have. and, well, we have 18 inches of snow!
-missy
This is our third year celebrating Christmas, and it feels normal, like the thing to do. I love it.
I hadn't celebrated it since I was 4 years old, so that is 51 years NOT celebrating, and since it was my entire adult life, I didn't know what I was missing.
I think dubs and everyone else....like the smell, the songs, the lights, and the spirit of christmas. How many dubs do ya know that just love to drive up and down the popular streets known for their pagan decor? We did every year.
If you can make it a happy occasion and you enjoy it......then I say go for it. If it's a hastle.....then don't. I wouldn't want to be obligated to buy for everyone I knew I'll say that. I like the idea of drawing a name out of the hat and buying for that person. I think it does OBLIGATE some who really don't like feeling obligated,... to buy them something......but everything has a downside a little. Obligations to BE AT SOMEBODYS house for dinner can be a pain in the butt sometimes,........but for many it's great..
Gumby
I love Christmas! My husband says it is like having another kid in the house. I remember as a jw enjoying the Christmas songs and humming them under my breath... and my dad use to drive us around to see the lights and we always enjoyed that.
I will admit that I think having little ones of my own makes it that much more fun. It is exciting watching them get excited. I have already put some of their gifts under the tree and they go up and shake them and try to figure out what is in them. They all (6yr.4yr.3yr.old) enjoy singing Christmas songs and you would be surprised how quickly they learn them....my 4yr.old daughter already knows all the names of the reindeer!
My first Christmas, I wasn't completely "out", meaning I wasn't convinced that the jws weren't the "truth". But, I hadn't been to a meeting in 3 yrs., so I put up my friend's tree and decorated his house, but I wouldn't do my own. I bought everyone presents, but I would only wrap them with Snowmen paper or the like, no Santa paper. Looking back, my friend and I get a good laugh over that first year! Now, I go all out! and I love Santa!!! and I love Christmas!!!
Happy Holidays!
Michelle
Although Christmas is only one day Dec 25th, I feel that the Christmas period is too long. 2 months before Christmas, people start being in the Christmas mood, buying and partying. When Dec 25th comes around, everybody is dead tired from celebrating. Once it's past, people want to lose 10 pounds and struggle to pay their Christmas bills.
It's good for the economy though.
The only Christmas I didn't celebrate was when i was a dub. So I celebrated quite a few. (over 30)
I was born and raised as a dub. I've been out of the dubs since 1995. I've celebrated Christmas since I got married in 1999. This is the fifth Christmas and it feels almost as awkward as the first.
I KNOW I'm not doing anything wrong, but I STILL feel like I am. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder for the Elders when I'm in the Christmas section at Wal-Mart. I halfway expected a judiciary committee to pull up while I was putting lights on my house this past weekend. Honestly, I don't care about the opinion of these simple men or their silly, little religion. So, why do I feel bad about celebrating Christmas?
The one bright spot is that my two of my nephews and a niece still believe in Santa. I've had a lot of fun watching them get excited over Christmas. I guess that'll be my saving grace this year, focusing on the children.
This Christmas will be my second since leaving dubville. I wasn't a convert, so I had a pre-cult identity and non-cult family to fall back on when I left JW's. So celebrating Christmas is part of my getting back to normal, it doesn't bother me. I had a great time last year, and had no qualms about it whatsoever. It must feel very strange to celebrate Christmas for the first time as an adult who was raised in the CrackTower.
This year will be my first time celebrating xmas since I was a kid, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll be celebrating with family and good friends.
Walter
I like to keep it simple.but i trim up enjoy Christmas dinner,gifts,church,I usually then have around 14 visiting in the evening,sometimes my Son plays the guitar and we sing along,sometimes charades.What i do not like is the commercialism.....and children wanting the most expensive gift,and parents trying to buy them what is on their list when they cannot afford.Working in department store i have seen the 'other side'.it's a money making venture.
Growing up as Catholic we celebrated,i loved it but it was simple,we were glad for whatever we had,and we always went to Church.Then as JW no Christmas,for years.although JWS compromised still do,they have TURKEY DINNER,but do not call it Christmas dinner,they buy gifts and give one day before or after,some buy the Christmas gifts from the sales,one lady celebrated in october,JWS in my KH compromised.
Jesus birth was announced.gifts were given,he was worshipped.peace on earth was for all. we can do the same...........
