@kerristephens Thanks Kerri! @mrssmith Thanks Carla- the lighting is an effect from Picnik. The original picture is in b&w so it came out looking like a solar flare in a way. @httpgeffed Thanks Colleen- lol & amen! @sarasdadandmom Thanks Sara's Dad! You are absolutely right- too soon!! @daveanajao Thanks Dave!
@kezzam haha Kerry- I know how you feel! My first thought was, "oh yeah, I need to start Christmas shopping!" Then I thought, "Wait a minute! It's still September!! What am I thinking!! This is way too early!!!!!!" @digitalrn haha Rick- I soo wanted to demand to see a manager and say, "Are you people crazy??!!" But I took a picture instead. @twinsplusone Thanks Sharon!! It was fun to put together.
Don't get me started on Christmas commercialism ;-) Unbelievable despite the sign---what they really mean is believe in buying our stuff! Anyway, you made a good point and I really love this shot---sparkling with the neon colors.
@bkbinthecity You can say that again bkb- thanks for the view! @steeler Thanks Howard! @cimes1 Thanks Carole- this is actually a little knick knack you sit on top of your mantle. It has hooks on it for the stockings. Commercialism on top of commercialism!!
No WAY! Well the true meaning of Christmas is in what we believe and that is true everyday of the year. Sometimes I put on Christmas music in July for this reason! However, stores just try to get money out of everything. Its sad that that is their values the big ol buck!
@cimes1 You're welcome Carole- they probably make them with angels on them too! Keep your eyes open. @potsbypam Very true Pam- in the stores, it's all about George, Andrew, Ulysses...everywhere else, it's about Jesus. (o: And that's awesome that you play Christmas music in July!!!
@olivetreeann Actually I do have 2 angel stocking hangers---a gift from my mom about 15 years ago ;-) Oh yes, BTW a few yrs ago when I was working in real estate and on the road a lot that day inspecting homes, I listened to Christmas music in the summer. I had forgotten to unload my CD-changer. What fun that was!
@raggleroo haha Rachel- I think it might be possible! I'm not saying I'd like it, but it could happen! @cimes1 That would be a fun surprise- Christmas music in the summer.
Great picture and comments from everyone. I want to be counter-cultural and change the date when I celebrate Christ's birthday (to get away from the secular 'X'-mas) - how about sometime in July? Would anyone care to join me?
@jmj It's a good thought Jennifer- but oddly there are some things in this secularized Christmas that are somewhat right. First the X is actually the Greek letter chi (key) which looks like and X and begins the Greek word for Christ- Christos. So you might think Christ is taken out of X-mas that way, but He isn't! Secondly, although the date Dec. 25 is questionable, the time of the year is probably correct because that is the time of year when shepherds bring their flocks in from the Judean wilderness where they were grazing to the area around Bethlehem for the winter months. At any rate, we should be celebrating His birth throughout the year, just as you say. It might make us more mindful of how we live for Him when we recognize how much He left in glory to become flesh with us. Thanks!
Regardless of when the decorations come out (and it does seem earlier each year) I love your photo! It the only time we celebrate the birth of Jesus is December 25th, then we don't know the true reason for Christmas and we don't BELIEVE!
@kkauter Thank you Kerrie- the celebration you speak of is the non-commercial celebration- like you say- the true reason. There is a part of me that loves the liturgical calendar because it really is the disciple's journey if you truly understand it. But another part of me also understands that we should not be strapped to tradition so tightly that we lose sight of what faith and belief in Jesus is all about. So, even though this shot is rather tongue in cheek, it's also a challenge to look not at the commercialism of Christmas, but the heart of why we celebrate. So, preach on my dear sister in Christ!!
@mrssmith Thanks Carla- the lighting is an effect from Picnik. The original picture is in b&w so it came out looking like a solar flare in a way.
@httpgeffed Thanks Colleen- lol & amen!
@sarasdadandmom Thanks Sara's Dad! You are absolutely right- too soon!!
@daveanajao Thanks Dave!
@digitalrn haha Rick- I soo wanted to demand to see a manager and say, "Are you people crazy??!!" But I took a picture instead.
@twinsplusone Thanks Sharon!! It was fun to put together.
@steeler Thanks Howard!
@cimes1 Thanks Carole- this is actually a little knick knack you sit on top of your mantle. It has hooks on it for the stockings. Commercialism on top of commercialism!!
@potsbypam Very true Pam- in the stores, it's all about George, Andrew, Ulysses...everywhere else, it's about Jesus. (o: And that's awesome that you play Christmas music in July!!!
@cimes1 That would be a fun surprise- Christmas music in the summer.