Why do we as a whole sometimes forget the tru meaning of Christmas and Easter?
412388
Because there is no "True meaning".  The celebration of xmas is supposed to represent the birth of jesus, but no one knows when that actually happened (some even question the existence of the man, but that is another subject).\n\n"Easter" is actually the "goddess of fetility" and she represented "life returning" in the spring (after the cold dark winter 'death').\n\nBoth xmas and Easter started as pagan rites/rituals and traditions to celebrate "the return of the sun" after darkness of winters.  xmas was the birthday of a pagan god (I do not recall the name presently), and when the pagan leaders switched to christianity, they kept the rites and holidays, only switched the meaning to match their 'new god' (jesus).\n\nXmas was actully the "yule time" when they went out and got the largest log they could find and burned it for days to bring light back.  It was a HUGE celebration with lots of sex, drinking and partying.  In fact in early American history (when the Puritans were still in charge) xmas was BANNED - because it was such a huge drinking/sex/party.\n\nHow it is celebrated now has only been around for less than 100 years - not really much of a tradition in the sense of its "true meaning".  Its not a celebration of spring, not a celebration of light, not a big party (though there is still drinking by a few).  Easter, also is not celebrated by honoring the goddess whose name it holds, but the symbols of rabbits and eggs (symbols of fertility and new life) are still in the picture.\n\nThe problem, again, is the "real" meaning has been skewed by christians (xians) and so you don't even know that you don't know the true meaning yourself.
11911
The only reason Christmas is put on December 25th was to replace a popular Roman Pagan holiday. A lot of the customs of that holiday remains today. Most scholors believe Jesus was born in springtime, due to the passage of the shephards, but there is no evidence besides that.
707022
i totally agree with you on everything that you said, that is why my family celebrates the real meaning of Christmas which is Christ.  The world has so corrupted this sacred holiday that it no longer carries with it any meaning!!  the devil has done what he always does, taken Christ out and put something else in His place.
6940
As an evangelical Christian (speaking only for myself), I can honestly say that I think most people are getting way too worked up over this issue.\nThe reality is that much of what we associate with Christmas in America (trees, lights, shopping, Santa, etc), has little to do with Jesus or the Bible; and no, Dec 25th is not a Biblical date.\n\nUnfortunately, people (who might or might not be followers of Jesus Christ), tend to get very outspoken about their 'faith' when the issues involve tradition or political policies, but flatly ignore Jesus' commands to share the Gospel, help the poor, etc.\n\nI do think that much of the Christian community's public reaction to this issue is a result of frustration with our "political correctness"-obsessed society.  We are under increasing pressure to keep our beliefs to ourselves (although our God and our consciences clearly tell us to do the opposite).  We often feel that we're being asked to concede our 'free speech' rights in order to avoid offending someone, while also being asked to tolerate other people's statements that are very offensive to us.  All the frustration comes out in these highly-publicized and 'easy' issues.\n\nBottom line:\nIt's easier and less controversial to say "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", than to say "God came to earth as a man, died on the Cross in payment for your wrong-doing, and rose to life again so that you can have eternal life with God."
847908
Agreed! Even if the facts aren't right with all the religious stuff (hey, they probably aren't!) it's what Christmas stands for which makes it such as great day! It's about the whole 'feeling loved' thing. It's good that everyone gets together and spoils each other!  It's important for everyone to give (and receive!).
12170
Well, if you're talking about the vast majority of people that don'tattend achurch service on Christmas, there are a variety of reasons for that, each pertinent to the people themselves. Some people would rather spend time with family, others choose not to allign themselves with the Christian religion, others choose not to align themselves with a church. You could also simply mean why is it so hard to get to Church on Christmas, that's because church attenmdance in the U.S. is highest on Christmas and Easter.
334424
Before I answer the question I would just like to tip my hat to Mommyofive. Bravo, you know what you believe and why you believe it. You don't see that much these days ammong christians or even ammong my fellow pagans. \n\nTo answer your question Easter (also called oster or Ishtar) was a pagan firtility holiday that had practical uses in the region that it was observed. Keeping the pagan beliefs while changing the emphasis helped to bolster the early church as well as preventing a disruption of the traditions. Personally though, I would have put Xmass there as Jesus was born in Feb or March rather than the middle of winter.
821095
Christmas is no longer just a Christian holiday. My family is not religious yet we've celebrated Christmas every year. For us it was never about Jesus; it was all about Santa. (Well, for my dad it's about Festivus and the Winter Solstice. He too is a bit of a Scrooge but gave in a few years ago when he decided that he just wouldn't call it Christmas). For me, Christmas is a time to show/tell people that I love them. We live hectic lives and sometimes we forget to tell the people in our lives how much we care about and appreciate them. Christmas is a good time to reiterate how much I love my family and friends. Do your best to ignore our conspicuous consumer society and tell the people that you love how you feel! Plus you can enjoy all the parties and delicious food!
890270
I know.  I realize that there is some ritual in the ritual of CHRISTmas.  And just as you did in spelling it, some leave Christ out of the picture.  I believe that it is the family and the church's job to teach children that Chirstmas is not about gifts and a tree, and that Easter has nothing to do with some creepy rabbit. (Is it just me or is the Easter Bunny borderline pedophile?)  My parents always taught what the true meaning of Chirstmas was.  I never believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny, or any of that foolishness because my parents told me it was foolishness from jump street. If we do that, then children are capable of seperating the two.
128351
It doesn't say but it does say:Luke 22:19 talks about rememberance of his death. And this scripture has nothing to do with easter either.
972688
The true meaning of Christmas is to buy as much as you can and go into debt for at least 6 months of the year buying presents for people.\nIf Christmas was supposed to be for Jesus then why was his b-day changed to December? I would never change the b-day of one of my children, or someone I held in high reguards....
701478
If I use Xmas I am just being a lazy typist...:)\n\nChristmas reminds me of when I was a little girl.\nChristmas was times spent with my parents and all of us and our children spending time together.\nChristmas was a special time when I still had a family in place.\n\nI will never stop saying "Christmas"  and I don't care how politcally incorrect this word would seem. Schools have taken this special time away from the children in order to be politically correct.  We are still a Christian country and I don't care if other sects or religions feel we should change this.\nIt is sad we have come to this stage, really sad.
329486
:{\nIve heard that the Easter bunny is an unfortunate hold over from previous pagan religious celebrations of birth, it goes well however with the concept of Christian rebirth
435171
Christ's birthday, but most people think of it as a holiday getting together with family and friends...presents....unfortunately people get so tied up with that that they miss the true meaning of Christmas =(
1117782
well easter and christmas have sort of 2 different meanings, for catholics it means jesus and santa and the easterbunny, for others it just may be santa and the easterbunny but i think everyone should celebrate those days cuz they are fun, happy and get u the day off of work!! :-)!!  but indeed i do cuz i am 100% catholic!!
302133
Easter is a holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ..
4749
Well, if they are unknown, how would we know them?  :-)\n\nHere are a couple links and a choice "interesting" fact about it.\n\n# The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, or "Christ's Mass." There is no set date for his birth in scripture and it wasn't celebrated on any particular day. However Christmas was first celebrated on the 25th of December in Rome in 336AD with an aim to replacing the popular pagan winter solstice celebrations