Santa Claus at Church

[Clark Addison]

I've been in wards where they wanted to put so much emphasis on Jesus during Christmas festivities that the resulting parties were boring even for ward parties. What kind of party is it where you aren't allowed to talk to people or laugh, and there are actual talks? If I want to expose myself to boring church meetings disguised as social events, I would go to High Priest socials. Why do some people think any display of happiness is irreverent or inappropriate? It's time to put Santa back in Christmas!

[TripletDaddy]

I've been in wards where they wanted to put so much emphasis on Jesus during Christmas festivities that the resulting parties were boring even for ward parties. What kind of party is it where you aren't allowed to talk to people or laugh, and there are actual talks? If I want to expose myself to boring church meetings disguised as social events, I would go to High Priest socials. Why do some people think any display of happiness is irreverent or inappropriate? It's time to put Santa back in Christmas!

:rockon2:

[Rickomatic]

X is the first letter in Christ's name in Greek.

Christ = Χριστός
Christmas = Χριστούγεννα

does that change your opinion of it?

No, but thanks for asking.

[Donuthole]

No, but thanks for asking.

I agree. The "X=Christ in Greek" argument is a lame explanation people have come up with to trick believers into using a blasphemous term/symbol. It's very similar to the "the alcohol cooks out" argument.

Stop x-ing out Christ, people. Without Christ there is no Christmas.

[Commando]

I agree. The "X=Christ in Greek" argument is a lame explanation people have come up with to trick believers into using a blasphemous term/symbol. It's very similar to the "the alcohol cooks out" argument.

Stop x-ing out Christ, people. Without Christ there is no Christmas.

ha ha ha

[Commando]

No, but thanks for asking.

the X is also kind of a slanted cross.. which is the shape of the thing Jesus died on... how do u like THEM apples??

[grapevine]

BRM in Modoc said Xmas is a form of apostasy and should not be used. Takes emphasis out of what the holiday is all about.

[pellegrino]

BRM in Modoc said Xmas is a form of apostasy and should not be used. Takes emphasis out of what the holiday is all about.

he was ignorant to tradition and likely following the lead of other conservative leaders of his day. X has been a symbol for Christ since the middle ages. As the study of the classics has dwindled over the past century, so has this common knowledge.

[TripletDaddy]

BRM in Modoc said Xmas is a form of apostasy and should not be used. Takes emphasis out of what the holiday is all about.

Which version of modoc? The one with over 1000 errors that was subsequently changed or the second edition that is now completely out of print?

[wuapinmon]

I've been in wards where they wanted to put so much emphasis on Jesus during Christmas festivities that the resulting parties were boring even for ward parties. What kind of party is it where you aren't allowed to talk to people or laugh, and there are actual talks? If I want to expose myself to boring church meetings disguised as social events, I would go to High Priest socials. Why do some people think any display of happiness is irreverent or inappropriate? It's time to put Santa back in Christmas!

I agree. The "X=Christ in Greek" argument is a lame explanation people have come up with to trick believers into using a blasphemous term/symbol. It's very similar to the "the alcohol cooks out" argument.

Stop x-ing out Christ, people. Without Christ there is no Christmas.

So, we change the name of the Melchizedek Priesthood to avoid "too frequent repetition," but we have shitfits about X-mas? D&C 107:2-4

[Viking]

I am fine with Santa. Santa is fun when the kids are younger. I have a problem with someone using Xmas. It is Christmas. You can't have Christmas without Christ.

I've had christmas for 40 years and christ has never shown up

[BigFatMeanie]

Not anti-Santa, just don't like him at ward Christmas parties. Kids get enough presents and candy and crap that they certainly don't need to get candy or junky gifts from a not-very-well-done lame-o Santa at a ward party. I'm big on making ward activities have some type of useful purpose and not be just about entertaining ourselves as a ward. For example, we did a service project at our Ward Christmas breakfast this year.

I don't like ward activities that just duplicate a widely held secular tradition. For example, I'm also down on stupid crap like Trunk or Treat when it's sponsored by the ward. If a bunch of neighbors want to do stupid crap like that then no problem, but ward activities should have a higher purpose than just acting like a big social club.

Santa is fine for families. We certainly let our kids believe in Santa and don't ever intentionally burst their bubble.

[Danimal]

I don't mind mixing santa and ward activities. I think more wards than not that I've been in have had a santa. I'm sort of the opposite of BFM -- I wish all ward activities were just big social events. That's really what i like about church.

That said, we pretty openly tell our kids that Soup and i are Santa. We give them presents from santa and stuff, we just don't pretend like he's real. That hasn't seemed to decrease our kids' excitement for xmas. Let's face it, they just want presents no matter who they're from.

[TripletDaddy]

Not anti-Santa, just don't like him at ward Christmas parties. Kids get enough presents and candy and crap that they certainly don't need to get candy or junky gifts from a not-very-well-done lame-o Santa at a ward party. I'm big on making ward activities have some type of useful purpose and not be just about entertaining ourselves as a ward. For example, we did a service project at our Ward Christmas breakfast this year.

I don't like ward activities that just duplicate a widely held secular tradition. For example, I'm also down on stupid crap like Trunk or Treat when it's sponsored by the ward. If a bunch of neighbors want to do stupid crap like that then no problem, but ward activities should have a higher purpose than just acting like a big social club.

Santa is fine for families. We certainly let our kids believe in Santa and don't ever intentionally burst their bubble.

The logic behind this is puzzling....no Santa at ward parties because kids get enough Santa elsewhere. I would argue that we all get enough Church stuff at Church that a few ward parties throughout the year that are simply for fun would be a nice change of pace. If you want to church it up, you have every Sunday meeting, firesides, seminary, mid week meetings, home teaching, visiting teaching, etc.

I'm glad you are not my ward activity planner. You sound way too serious about things. Happy holidays and go cougars!

[Surfah]

I don't mind mixing santa and ward activities. I think more wards than not that I've been in have had a santa. I'm sort of the opposite of BFM -- I wish all ward activities were just big social events. That's really what i like about church.

I'm with you Danimal. Our ward has tried this past year to go over the top with these "cultural experiences" for ward activities. For example our Christmas party was a Christmas around the world theme. They had these booths set up and decorated with Christmas items from different countries. At each you got a brief lesson the country's traditions and then a traditional treat. All of these treats BTW sucked. They had the lights dimmed low and then a far too serious Christmas program. The cultural hall was decked out. My mother is on the committee and it took 3 days of decorating. They had a nativity display that could rival the one at the DC visitors center (that's what happens when you have so many military in the ward). But nobody cared. I told my mother the same. I didn't understand why they were killing themselves for this activity when everyone but BigFatMeanie () would rather have a crappy pot luck, lots of lights, conversation with friends and an opportunity for their kids to run around with all the other kids.