The last few years I've looked at Christmas through different eyes. It used to be about the presents and food. But, I started to realize just how hollow they are. American consumerism seems to consume everything except what is really fulfilling. In my experience, Christians are no different than anyone else here and may be the worst offenders in the Christmas season.

My dislikes are the consumerism, the self centeredness, the Santa worship, and the focus on the empty things during a time that's supposed to celebrate the one who is anything but empty.

I want to love Christmas, I love what it stands for, that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus knowing that He was sending Him to ultimately die for us. But the actual holiday really wears me out. This year, all I can think of is that there is not enough money for gifts for my family, much less my friends, who I know have already purchased things for me. I know it shouldn't be about the gifts, but for kids, it is.

I absolutely love the Christmas Holiday season. It's the best time of year, despite the added stress of shopping, decorating and family gatherings. The best thing about this time of year is my own personal memories of the holiday season when I was a child. I remember loving to lie beneath the Christmas tree and watch the lights sparkle on the glass ornaments, and oh the wonderful aromas coming from mother's kitchen in the days preceeding Christmas. The only time during the year that our entire extended family got together.

.....the birth of Jesus is barely a "blip" on the radar when it comes to Christmas. Most people go through the holidays like a bunch of pagan zombies. And when it's all over, it's just a depressing let-down.

i have doubts about the whole xmas thing - the babe in a manger, virgin birth, etc. how could it be true? it sounds like "once upon a time" fairy tale to me.

My confession is that I love Christmas; the food, the songs, the gatherings, all of it. But I have to admit that as I get older they just don't seem to be enough. The older I get the more I understand that there is no such thing as "peace on earth." The older I get the more Christmas seems to be a farce. Truth is that I feel a little hollow right now of Christmas cheer. I almost with it was January.

I love my family, but we have our problems. Each family gathering over the holidays stresses me out just waiting for something to go wrong or someone's feelings to be hurt. I just wish we could enjoy the time together not worrying about what might happen next!

Every year, I'm determined to make Christmas different - not so busy, crazy and out of control. But by Christmas Eve, exhausted and stressed out, I find myself saying, "I can't wait until Christmas is over!" And it's no wonder...with gifts to buy, trees to decorate, cookies to bake, family to visit (the list is endless) there seems to be no time to find the peace of Christmas. I want to fill myself with the true Christmas spirit but I can't find it! Where can I go, sit in the quiet and really focus on what Christmas is about?