[pitoufsd]

It is almost Christmas once again. I was wondering how everybody here celebrates Christmas.

In Christ,
A. Wright

[Crundaangerge]

Several hours of church services, feasting, gift giving, 12 days of rejoicing.

[ViktorialHDY]

Several hours of church services, feasting, gift giving, 12 days of rejoicing.

Yeah, that about covers it.

[adarmaSen]

Actually, I was thinking more of personal things. Do you go to heterodox family for new calendar Christmas? Things like that.

[kentbrookug]

Actually, I was thinking more of personal things. Do you go to heterodox family for new calendar Christmas? Things like that.

In our parish, which is on the Old Calendar, all of those with families on new calendar Christmas, celebrate with them. This is important so that by being part of the Church we do not sunder relationships of love, but on the contrary strengthen them through our own faith.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[hechicxxrr]

Yes, Fr. this is great for separate calendars, but for those of us on the same calendar, it does cause scheduling "opportunities" to partiicpate with family and in church at the same time. I imagine it is challenging for OC observers as well when the family brings out the Christmas Goose (ham, turkey, sauerbraten) or whatever when you still have a week of fasting to go. Much like the American Thanksgiving conundrum here.

My family chose to put off Christmas celebration until New Years (1 week later) not only becuase my brother was celebrating with his in-laws elsewhere, but becuase my mother knew I would choose church over the family celebration and she wanted me there. (BTW, she has become very accepting of my fasting and church observances over the years yay )

That said, for NC observers, it is quite obvious when we have to step out for 3-4 hours in the middle of eating and unwrapping presents and slip back in to the house before everyone goes to bed knowing we have missed the biggest part of the family celebration. How does one overcome this "slight" to the family in favor of a religion they don't understand or in some cases, accept?

Paul

[lomonel]

Merry Christmas to our brothers on the OC this blessed day.

[beriarele]

This year it was difficult for me. My current parish is observing Dec 25 but I was used to Jan 7 for many years. I tried to observe both by attending both OC and NC services at different parishes. FAIL. Instead of being the double blessing I expected it turned out that I felt like I never really celebrated the Nativity properly at all. On Dec 25 I was thinking "It's really on Jan 7" and today (Jan 7) I was thinking "I am am getting really tired of Christmas." I tried to keep both OC and NC fasts and didn't end up keeping either of them very well. Never again! Next year, whatever my home parish does I am going to throw myself into it whole-heartedly.

[BriKevin]

Christ is Born!

This is the first Nativity where the members of my nuclear family are on different calendars. I don't like it.
I agree with Mrs. Moos. Keeping both OC and NC fasts didn't work out well for me this year, either. I broke the fast to participate in the NC Christmas and then had a VERY difficult time readjusting to fasting during these last 13 days.

I haven't a fixed opinion on the "truth" of either calendar. I believe that Heaven is on "Chronos" time, so "Kairos" time doesn't matter there. My husband believes that the OC calendar is the better one yet he belongs to a NC parish.