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Dec 13, 2002, 2:19pm

To celebrate the forthcoming festival of Christmas AVRquest world has been
transformed by Float World Builders Linn and ZaroLene into a truly wonderful
Nordic setting Christmas world.

The terrain has been transformed by Dreamtime into the Nordic scenery. We
thanks Dreamtime for the time spent doing this.

The world has many Christmas Themed experiences including Santa's animated
workshop and post Office, (Yes you can email Santa from the world).

Visit the Nordic Cabins and sauna to refresh.

Above all have a wonderful Christmas and a great 2003.

The World opens on Sunday 15th December and is G rated.

Dec 13, 2002, 4:48pm

[View Quote]
Am I the only person in the world who thinks that Christmas is merely a
corporately hyped pile of bullshite?

hahahaha

F.

Dec 13, 2002, 4:52pm

Yes. Christmas is when Jesus Christ was born so Christmas is not about the
presents it's about Jesus Christ and how he was born to die for our sins.

[View Quote]

Dec 13, 2002, 4:53pm

On one hand it sure is,....but, Christmas in the family sense, is a great time of year.... just don't watch the tube or your email heheheheh I like hand making my xmas gifts ....direct from the heart...;)

Leo :)





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Dec 13, 2002, 6:46pm

I disagree. While Christmas is over-commercialized, it's a great time of
year to spend with family and friends regardless of whether you celebrate
the religious aspects of the holiday.

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Dec 13, 2002, 7:39pm

Its funny how people sometimes dont think for themselfs and just quote
out-of-date myths.
But I love christmass because I get to spend time with family which I
whouldnt because of school...
But I agree with facter; the whole christmas commercialism is makeing me
sick... they were advertising christmas stuff in september.... its
ridiculous. I say forget about buying stupid christmass CDs and such and
just enjoy the time with family.

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Dec 13, 2002, 7:54pm

"Out of date myths"?

SW Chris

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Dec 13, 2002, 9:55pm

No! It's Santa's birthday.
--
- Syntax -
http://www.swcity.net
http://forum.swcity.net

[View Quote]

Dec 13, 2002, 9:59pm

We all know Santa's birthday is on April 32nd

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Dec 14, 2002, 12:41am

Cool, can you repost on monday for those of us who are forgetful? I'd like
to see it.
Don't let the humbugs get you down. I don't celebrate the holiday myself
but I still appreciate the art that is created for it.

Dec 14, 2002, 1:16am

[View Quote] No, it's on Majune 3reeve.

--Bowen--

Dec 14, 2002, 1:23am

Oh ya. Thanks I forgot. Ohhhh the easter bunny's birthday is on April 32nd.

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 2:47am

Christmas is actually not a christian holiday from the beginning, but whas
"adopted" by the christians so that the "pagan" folks could keep on
celebrating.
In Mesopotania (about 2000 BC) a very similar holiday as our christmas was
celebrated, and during history various culturus has celebrated "christmas"
as best fit into their culture. In Europe it had a "wicca" function, it was
the darkest time of the year and one was for example hanging up apples in
trees to remind oneself that spring will come. So christmas has taken many
forms during history, it become christian when no other rligions than
christianity was allowed. In these days it is a celebration of
commerciality,,, who knows what it is after 300 years, maybe we celebrate
the new koran or the birth of Ugrrl.

What I find very pathetic is that they have banned Santa Claus in
kindergartens in Australia, not to hurt the parents of the non-christian
children. As far as I know Santa is not a christian symbol, not a
reincarnation of Jesus or anything like that.
I know muslims who celebrate christmas. In the beginning I was not sure if I
should send them a christmas-card or not, so I sent them them a happy new
year card. I recived some christmas cards from them and a letter telling
about how they have been decorated for christmas, so now I send christmas
cards to them. I honestly doubt that anyone seriously could be hurt by
seeing Santa in the kindergarten . It is probably some naroowminded
wannabepolitically-correct bitch that has decided again what is good for
others. We could tho discuss if we should get rid of Santa in general as he
is one thing who increase commerciality and put presure on less fortunate
families during christmas.

Drac

facter <invurt at hotmail.com> kirjoitti
viestissä:3dfa2b92 at server1.Activeworlds.com...
>
[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 3:41am

Well, kind of, (IMHO). Christmas itself was never a pagan celebration There
was a winter solstice celebration around the same time of year as our
present Christmas (December 21) also but pre-dating the birth of Jesus and
not called Christmas....Christ Mass....celebration of a holy birth....birth
of a savior. Yuletide is a common name for these non-Christian celebrations
from the past and of course is still a term used today.

They are related mainly by the time of year and may share some common
customs of the days surrounding the holiday (Holy Day) but they do not share
the same roots.

For too many, the real meaning of Christmas is out of their hands and into
the pockets of commercialists.

Saint Nicholas (say it 3 times fast)...Santa Claus...ring any (Christmas:-)
bells? He was the Bishop of a city in what is now Turkey noted for his
kindness and generosity (and gift giving) to those in need, especially
children, in the 4th century. His birthdate was December 6th. I really doubt
though if he ever waited in line at 6 in the morning at anything like our
Sears or Walmart...he was before the time that Christmas lost it's meaning
for some and became some nervous-breakdown producing shop-a-holic's
nightmare (or heaven) for the benefit money making. So yes..Santa Claus IS
(was) a real person. I agree, there is certainly nothing wrong with letting
kids (from religious backgrounds or not) enjoy the Santa Claus of myth
either....the myth is not a bad one (unless it does get entirely and
terribly commercial.) I know of no normal adults who have been caused harm
by this.



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Dec 14, 2002, 3:55am

Your wrong. Christmas has Christ in it because it is celebrating the birth
of Jesus Christ the best thing that happened to the world. It's not about
the presents it's about celebrating the birthday.

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 3:57am

[View Quote] *thwap* So does the name Christian but he isn't the incarnation of anyone either.
Didn't Roman records show he was born sometime in May or April anyways?

--Bowen--

Dec 14, 2002, 4:30am

It's just a date they picked to celebrate his birthday. You can bash
christianity all you want but it won't change my mind.

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 4:36am

[View Quote] Well I want to celebrate my birthday on .... the Threeve of Majune!

--Bowen--
Yeah baby, threeve.

Dec 14, 2002, 4:40am

You'll never understand cause you never take the time to listen.

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 4:45am

[View Quote] I was Christian. I know the motions.

--Bowen--

Dec 14, 2002, 5:00am

No one bashed Christianity. We don't need religious arguments in here on top of everything else, Carl, so stop overreacting about everything.

(Followup-To: general.discussion)

-Agent1

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 6:57am

Yes I kind of agree lol. In scandinavia it is still called Jul-Joulu (some
for of Yule). Santa used to be a man with the head of a goat here , that is
why he has a beard. I need to check up on the history better, but I am sure
we celebrated christmas before it become a religious holiday,, I somehow
have a feeling Jesus was not born in winter either but more like in summer
or autumn, I need to investigate a bit. i will come back to it later.

Like here Santa Claus is called joulupukki ( which means yule goat) in
swedish julbock meaning the same but also julgubbe is used (meaning
something like yule (old)man)

Drac
carolann <carolannh at charter.net> kirjoitti
viestissä:3dfac471$1 at server1.Activeworlds.com...
> Well, kind of, (IMHO). Christmas itself was never a pagan celebration
There
> was a winter solstice celebration around the same time of year as our
> present Christmas (December 21) also but pre-dating the birth of Jesus and
> not called Christmas....Christ Mass....celebration of a holy
birth....birth
> of a savior. Yuletide is a common name for these non-Christian
celebrations
> from the past and of course is still a term used today.
>
> They are related mainly by the time of year and may share some common
> customs of the days surrounding the holiday (Holy Day) but they do not
share
> the same roots.
>
> For too many, the real meaning of Christmas is out of their hands and into
> the pockets of commercialists.
>
> Saint Nicholas (say it 3 times fast)...Santa Claus...ring any
(Christmas:-)
> bells? He was the Bishop of a city in what is now Turkey noted for his
> kindness and generosity (and gift giving) to those in need, especially
> children, in the 4th century. His birthdate was December 6th. I really
doubt
> though if he ever waited in line at 6 in the morning at anything like our
> Sears or Walmart...he was before the time that Christmas lost it's meaning
> for some and became some nervous-breakdown producing shop-a-holic's
> nightmare (or heaven) for the benefit money making. So yes..Santa Claus IS
> (was) a real person. I agree, there is certainly nothing wrong with
letting
> kids (from religious backgrounds or not) enjoy the Santa Claus of myth
> either....the myth is not a bad one (unless it does get entirely and
> terribly commercial.) I know of no normal adults who have been caused harm
> by this.
>
>
>
[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 7:00am

That is because they have decided to call it christmas in english. There is
another older word also Yule.

Drac
carlbanks <CarLBanks at insight.rr.com> kirjoitti
viestissä:3dfac7b7$1 at server1.Activeworlds.com...
> Your wrong. Christmas has Christ in it because it is celebrating the birth
> of Jesus Christ the best thing that happened to the world. It's not about
> the presents it's about celebrating the birthday.
>
[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 12:16pm

"carlbanks" <CarLBanks at insight.rr.com> wrote in
news:3dfad013$1 at server1.Activeworlds.com:

> It's just a date they picked to celebrate his birthday. You can bash
> christianity all you want but it won't change my mind.

They just picked an ancient celebration of the midwinter solstice for it,
that's the origin of the date. CarL, don't be so touchy, Facter bashed the
commercialism of Christmas, not the religious aspect of it.

KAH

Dec 14, 2002, 1:21pm

Well we borrowed some of the traditions and December 25th is when they
worshipped the sun gods cause christianity used to be illegal so if
christmas was held on the same day has the party to worship the sun gods so
no one would notice it.

[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 2:08pm

I just enjoy the days off from school. ;) I "enjoy" my family's company
enough as it is, just as I do buggy products which are rushed out of
production just for the holiday sale.

Although, the classic holiday songs are definately enjoyable, no matter who
sings them. :)
--
--
From the Newbie's Guide to the AW NG v. 4.0:

"Nornny - Creator of the LSD-enduced trip known as Newsgroup Survivor, this
guy's another one that can be filed under the "Tries Too Hard" category,
except instead of getting people to hate him, he apparently wants people to
think he's insane. So far, it appears to be working."
[View Quote]

Dec 14, 2002, 7:41pm

When folks live up here in the very colder northern climes where it's dark
by 5pm they come to appreciate the spirit behind the December festivities.
We get so down from the dark and cold and before modern refrigeration and
transport we'd have been damned sick of dry apples and cabbages and pickles
and generally not eating enough and shivering in our huts with our twig
fires and whatever. So we'd all spend our time excitedly preparing for the
solstice celebrations, stitching bright sparkly embroidery on clean linen,
making candles, salting the ham, gathering more firewood. Then for one or
more days we'd all run around laughing and feasting and wearing our lovely
clothes and decorating everything with sparkles and candles and lighting the
darkness with laughter, light, song and big fires. It would be a necessary
break in the middle of the long dark winter.
THATS what christmas is really born of. In every culture that suffered a
dark winter you will find it in some form, and it usually has some winter
significance. Lots of times it's about "waking up" the sun which seems to
be having trouble getting up.
It's still performing that function for many people. In summer we get out
every weekend to go play in the parks or to the cottage or go camping or
water sports or parties. In winter we get cabin fever, stay inside, huddle
in our solitude. Around christmas we get out again, go visiting, share
food, give stuff to each other (promotes community) and sparkle things up.
Furthermore, if we didn't have recorded music and broadcasting we'd be
damned grateful for our christmas carols and people who took time off work
to practice then perform them on the street would be very welcome.
In short, Yuletide celebrations are primarily about community and surviving
the long winter.

Dec 15, 2002, 1:49am

Well, NOW it is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. :) But I tihnk Count
Dracula is trying to say that originally, it was a variety of different
things to different people (as it sorta is now). It was later adopted by the
Christians as a Christian holiday.

That's when they probably started to call it Christmas. :)

He's just trying to disprove the notion that Christians invented Christmas.
:)) No Jesus knocking on his part.

--
--
From the Newbie's Guide to the AW NG v. 4.0:

"Nornny - Creator of the LSD-enduced trip known as Newsgroup Survivor, this
guy's another one that can be filed under the "Tries Too Hard" category,
except instead of getting people to hate him, he apparently wants people to
think he's insane. So far, it appears to be working."

[View Quote]

Dec 15, 2002, 7:42am

This kind of renaming holidays, and changing dates of holidays, and combining holidays, and shifting the meaning of holidays is not unique to Christmas. As a matter of fact it's extremely common, and to me not the least bit surprising. After, holiday celebrations are held on the actual day of the events or conditions they are meant to tribute, but rather on days chosen to remember what may otherwise be forgotten... and even with such days picked, memory fades and there's little we can do about it.

Take my birthday, for example. I was "born" on May 27th of 1964. Most people would probably tell you that places my "first birthday" on May 27th of 1965, but as a matter of fact the day of my birth doesn't happen once a year. It happened once, and that's all... so the anniversary of a person's birth is celebrated and a "birthday" has come to be defined roughly as the date on which you were born, without regard to the year. Well, that would mean the one in 1965 when I turned 1 year old was my second one, not my first. How many people realize that when they turn 29, that's their 30th birthday? Does it even matter? Modern Christmas is a lot of holidays rolled up into one, and as far as I'm concerned there's no harm in each person choosing to celebrate what ever they think should be celebrated on that day... as long as doing so doesn't spoil the celebration that other people are trying to enjoy at the same time.

By the way, somebody pointed out that the word "holiday" came from "holy day" and I know that to a lot of people the word "holy" connected to anything gives an immediate religeous meaning, but most of those same people, based on my experiences in talking with people about such subjects, don't have a clue what the word "holy" actually meant at the time that it got into the religeous documents that they've learned it from... so here's the answer: It means "healing" as in something that makes you "whole" or "well" and a "holiday" is, or at least "was" a day of rest, or a day in which to allow yourself time to heal and become well. All the commercial value of the Christmas holiday isn't really good or bad on it's own, but rather can be taken in any number of ways. People "expecting" presents is what's bad, in my opinion. If someone gives you a smile, accept it. Maybe even be nice enough to give them one in return. They cost you nothing. If someone gives you something that cost them time or money or shows that they took the time to think of what might make you happy then consider it something special that wasn't in any way required or expected, and be happy that you know someone who feels that way about you. If all you get for Christmas is some solitude, then do your best to enjoy it because there are those of us who hope that everyone has a good day, not just on the holidays, but every day... and in my opinion, knowing that should be reason enough to celebraty.

TechnoZeus

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Dec 15, 2002, 10:21am

Well, hmmm, Christmas still has a singular meaning...it IS either Christmas
we are celebrating or not no matter what people choose to do or celebrate or
commemorate that day...they might borrow the name of Christmas for their own
purposes but "modern day" Christmas doesn't change what it really is. We can
chose that same date (which after all is what we could call the "honorary"
day for celebrating Christ's birth) to do other things besides that...like
getting together with family or celebrating the winter solstice, etc etc,
for convenience sake because many have the day off, but that doesn't
actually mean we are celebrating Christmas then. There are other words for
those celebrations, like yuletide, 2 for one Whopper day at Burger King
(because it's Wednesday this year), or my ex-father-in-law's birthday, or
whatever we're marking that day for. If I have a party on your birthday, May
27, 1000 miles away and never even heard of you, could it be said that I was
celebrating your birthday? No, I am just by chance having a party ON the
same day as your birthday. Most likely I would say I was celebrating my
mother's birthday actually, it is her's too. Would she ever be hurt if I
brought a cake over and said I was celebrating TechnoZeus's birthday. I
guess it's important to really be clear about what it is we are celebrating
here and say it like it is.

And yes, health, whole and holy all have the same root, to have "wholeness"
and "purity of mind, body and spirit." Not surprising "holy" is used in
conjunction with days celebrating one's religion although it is not itself a
"religious" term.

And to Nornny, Christians DID "invent" Christmas of course :-) just not the
secular things taking place at the same time that may have pre-dated it. I
don't think they generally claim them as part of their religious
celebrations but might also enjoy some of them.

Just my thoughts because it's important to me, but I do wish everyone a
peaceful day that day, and always, no matter what your beliefs are.

[View Quote]

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