Christmas - The birth of Jesus or something else

Christmas is coming. Are you ready for it? Ready for the family dinners, the twinkling tree, and the exchanging of gifts? Or are the images you carry overcrowded stores, angry/rude people and Black Friday Madness?

Our culture has the made the holiday into the most popular toys, latest electronic gadgets and companies watching the ka-ching of their cash registers.

Churches have made it about pageants, musical choirs and nativity scenes complete with a huge star.

The solstice is celebrated by others with the drumming up of the sun. 

Question is, what is Christmas really about? Given the various examples it would depend on whom you asked.

Our modern Christmas trees come from German tradition.

The giving of gifts DID NOT originate with the gifts the magi gave to the Christ child. It comes from the presenting of gifts to a pagan god during the Solstice. It was adapted and changed by the Catholic church.

Fact. It is too cold in the middle east for sheep to be out grazing during December. It is more likely, or so it is speculated, that Jesus was born sometime in September.

The huge star was actually a series of planetary conjunctions noted by many cultures. The Jewish people did not watch the heavens and therefore didn't know what was going on. Another reason Herod had no idea what the magi were talking about. Not to mention Mary and Joseph were living in a house when the gifts were presented. Not the stable as is commonly shown.

The story of the birth of Jesus has had a great deal of mythology added to it. Not to mention at no point does Peter, Paul or any of the followers of Christ say we should make a holiday out of our savior's birth.

So what is Christmas really? Should it really be a celebrated holiday or is it simply a tradition that is a mix of many cultures with roots no one really wants to look at? And what will it morph into in the future?

Movie Review : The Freedom of Silence

In a future America Christianity is outlawed. Zach is imprisoned for his beliefs. He is tortured. He is killed and brought back. He is committed to his cause.

The Freedom of Silence is an interesting attempt to make a futuristic film predicting what could happen, and has in many countries. The torture scenes are haunting. The back story is told in flashbacks as you learn about Zach, his beliefs, his family, his house church and his friends. The biggest mystery is what causes him to end up in prison.

While the blogger appreciates the message in the film, there were points when the blogger was tempted to just turn it off and stop watching. Not to mention how glad the blogger was for only paid half price for the movie. It is not worth more than that.

This is NOT a family film. Adults and older teens only.

Out of five stars, this film is a two and half.

Movie Review - Courage

An interesting film, Courage, begins with the boat wreck of a family and shows their struggle with the father injured and his new wife trying to cope with being a mother to his teen-age daughter and surviving. Mixed in is a wild dangerous bear, those that are hunting it, and her mother trying to convince the authorities that something is wrong.

All in all, a well written movie with beautiful scenery. Most annoying is in the version the blogger has, they bleeped out the swear words to make it family friendly. It's quite disturbing to know something is being said but the censor took the words out. Also, the whole bear as the danger didn't quite work. There was enough going on it would have worked just as well without it.

This can be watched by the entire family who can learn about working together to accomplish a common goal.

Out of five stars, this film only rates three and half.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Game Time Tackling the Past'

'Game Time Tackling the Past' depicts a professional football player on the decline of his career. He returns home due to a family emergency, reconnects with them, and discovers a new passion for the sport that is not self serving or self centered.

The movie shows what can happen to someone when they live only for themselves and how what appears to be a tragedy or ruin, can actually work into something far better than a dream now past its prime. Filled with emotional moments and new friendships, this film shows the power of forgiveness and love.

There are also some faith filled moments depicted.

Many parts of this film reminds the viewer of moments in 'Facing the Giants' or 'Flywheel'.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 4.