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posted to rec.boats
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We purchased a Holdiay tree today......................
" *JimH*" wrote in message
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wrote in message
oups.com...
John H. wrote:
On 3 Dec 2005 09:28:48 -0800, wrote:
*JimH* wrote:
Damn it, we got it in the house and it looks just like a Christmas
tree.
I always laugh my arse off at the very notion of a "Christmas tree."
Glad the Christmas season brings you some joy.
I've even seen "Christmas Trees" set up in churches. Wow. Talk about
confused........
We use our tree as a place to put gifts for the needy. No confusion at
all. Prior to Christmas day, the gifts are distributed to children who
otherwise may not have any.
Do you find this offensive?
Not in the least. You make offerings to the tree,
Do you? Not me?
...........the tree blesses the
offerings (gifts), and then the tree gives them back so you can enjoy
them or give them to others. Very old tradition.
I have never asked my Christmas tree to bless the gifts I offer to others.
My gifts are offered in appreciation of my family and friends.
You do the same thing when you pass the plate on a Sunday morning. You
place offerings on the altar, but they don't just disappear to be spent
in Heaven- they are prayed over, blessed, etc and then put to use in
the very earthly pursuit of paying the light bill and the minister's
salary.
Our offerings are for the needy, regardless of where they may live.
I will not make fun of your offerings Chuck as I know they are well
intentioned.
The decorated tree in your living room is a "pagan" symbol of the first
order. The ancient Celts and the Germanic tribes had a solstice
tradition where a small tree would be brought into the home and
showered with offerings (tinsel, jewelry, "ornaments") to honor the
Spirit of the Forest. The tree serves as a sort of altar.
There are other traditions also, Chuck. And, is there something
*wrong* with honoring a deity which cares for the forests?
Not at all. Are you comfortable "crowning" a tree? (with a special top
ornament)?
We celebrate the day we put our Christmas tree up and decorate it. It has
been a family tradition since our children were born.
What is your problem with that?
As one of my friends, (a devout Christian but not a member of a
mainstream sect), points out, there is nothing in the Bible that
commands anybody to celebrate Christmas or even Easter. In fact, two of
the four New Testament gospels don't even mention The Natvity, and you
would think that hosts of angels descending from heaven wouldn't be
such a trivial detail that it was accidentally overlooked.
Have you read somewhere that all of the gospels in the New Testament
must say exactly the same thing?
No, but if they disagree it becomes a bit more difficult to accept
every single sentence in the Bible as the literal word of God, doesn't
it?
Only in your world.
And I have no problem with people putting up a tree.
Sure you do Chuck. Your posts prove it.
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