Letr us reflect on the TRUE meaning of Christmas and the falsity of...

[BeHereNow]

the x-tian Bush supporters who have made a mockery of
Christianity. I do not mean to exclude any DU members who
are not Christians, simply to share with you what those of us
who are, feel this time of year, which I doubt any of you, regardless
of your differences, would argue with.
Love.

BHN

[PurpleChez]

1. Hear hear!

I was raised Lutheran; I am grateful for my religious upbringing and I've never felt the need to formally renounce that heritage, but the fact of the matter is that I'd be a hypocrite if I claimed that I am a Christian. And yet, I am greatly offended by the hypocrisies that these people perpetrate in the name of Jesus, and I find it frustrating and disappointing that sincere Christians won't dare to make it known that Falwell and Robertson do not speak for them or anyone else of good will.

[BeHereNow]

4. The very fact that "they" offend you...

Makes you more of a Christian than you know.
Visit your local nursing home tomorrow with a
good book to read to someone who can no longer
read for themselves and you will be practicing
Christianity far more than the neocons
and their blasphemous supporters ever dreamed of.
Merry Christmas,
BHN

[Touchdown]

2. Well, after a little TV watching today...

I came away with the TRUE meaning of Christmas is trees, lights, Santa Clause, gifts, Family time, Kissing under the misseltoe, boys who want trains, girls who want dolls, a reflection for the Victorians who got a little too comfortable with their privilege, so this one day is used as an excuse to "reconnect" with the lesser plebes. There was no national holiday of Christmas until the mid 1800s. American Christmas was manufactured for the benefit of commerce. Cheifly American co-options that affected this day are...

The "Christmas Tree", almagamation of the Tanenbaum from Germany.
Orthodox Greek St. Nicholas (celebrated Dec 6th) into Santa Clause.
New Design of Santa Clause created by a New York Times Cartoonist.
The idea of sending cards was invented by the British, and popularized by greeting card makers here.
The notion of of hiding the contents of gifts was further lifted from other traditions.
Egg Nog is not supposed to taste like rum. It's supposed to have rum in it. Something Americans still screw up.
Episcoal Priest pens secular "Twas the Night Before Christmas".
Rudolph; The red nosed reindeer created by Montgomery Ward in 1938, backed with cartoon and pop song as tie-ins.
Santa Clause appeared in Department Stores long before he appeared in any venue, including parades and movies.

What we've done, is thrown in a lot of traditions from all the previous cultures from which we are derived and created something unique, and influential around the world. All so that we can be with our families, look at the lights, reflect on the previous year...and give American commerce one last push for their quarterly balance sheets. It was designed that way from the beginning in America. It was always less about Jesus here, than it even is now.

[BeHereNow]

3. Not in my house...

"It was always less about Jesus here, than it even is now.'
BHN

[Octafish]

5. It's a wonderful universe, BeHereNow!

The more we understand it, the more we realize what a true blessing our existence is.

Here's a wonderful example:

The Amazing

Holographic Universe

By Michael Talbot
12-23-5

In 1982 a remarkable event took place. At the University of Paris a research team led by physicist Alain Aspect performed what may turn out to be one of the most important experiments of the 20th century. You did not hear about it on the evening news. In fact, unless you are in the habit of reading scientific journals you probably have never even heard Aspect's name, though there are some who believe his discovery may change the face of science.

Aspect and his team discovered that under certain circumstances subatomic particles such as electrons are able to instantaneously communicate with each other regardless of the distance separating them. It doesn't matter whether they are 10 feet or 10 billion miles apart.

Somehow each particle always seems to know what the other is doing. The problem with this feat is that it violates Einstein's long-held tenet that no communication can travel faster than the speed of light. Since traveling faster than the speed of light is tantamount to breaking the time barrier, this daunting prospect has caused some physicists to try to come up with elaborate ways to explain away Aspect's findings. But it has inspired others to offer even more radical explanations.

University of London physicist David Bohm, for example, believes Aspect's findings imply that objective reality does not exist, that despite its apparent solidity the universe is at heart a phantasm, a gigantic and splendidly detailed hologram.

CONTINUED...

http://www.crystalinks.com/holographic.html

Science is always catching up with what is known: The enlightened know they are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, BeHereNow!



Peace and joy to you and all good people!

[BeHereNow]

6. Oh...That is WONDERFUL!

Thank you!
Exactly.
BHN