I only watched the X-files, when I was 10 I think? I wouldn't want my kid to watch it now though... Maybe I was 12, dunno. Anyways, I always did turn on some extra lights when I went to bed afterwards. XD

Dunno, we always had this type of Santa at school, nobody ever got angry and everyone was required to write down 3 things what they like. And the amount was set, like it would be equal to 3 dollars right now. Like, the candy and a pen was really all that'd fit in that amount. xD

I actually said a few times I didn't like a gift, but kinda regret that now. Funny thing is that one thing, still dunno what it is I think just a paper-holder/weight thing, I still have it on my desk. And I still dunno what it's for. It's like, a glass block with a spring on it and a hart attached to the end. I got it and hold it still, while still swinging the heart around and was kinda wondering at that time wtf it was. Anywayyys, learnt to not say a thing now. Or just start of with saying I DON'T want a gift. I do like secret santa though if people make an effort. And kinda feel that that's always noticeable.

If I were religious, I would certainly have mixed fellings about people saying Jesus brings gifts
On one hand it's cute, I guess, but on the other hand it's kinda irrespectful. I don't know, Jesus would probably have better things to do if he ever returned to this world?
No wonder the religious teacher told the kids it's not true.
Although it was not very tactful...

Anyway. Kids will eventually find out, you know?
You may want to keep that fairy tale alive for longer, but then it's your responsability - and not anyone else's - to back up your tale, so I don't see why people get so mad when children find out.

And specially if they are not very young.
I remember this colleague who was worried her 10-yo would find out. Some people had told her Santa was not real, but her mom quickly reassured her that they were wrong for a number of reasons.
I was so shocked. At that age I would say the kid though her mom was plain idiot, but maybe that's just me.

According to the Bible (Luke 2:1), the Romans arranged a registration.
That's why everybody travelled, and why rooms were not to be found anywhere in Bethlehem. (I always tell my students this story, when it comes to learn about statistics and why census are complicated.)

But apparently that date is unaccurate, because such a registration happened in the year 6. (See Wiki.)
And Herod died in year 4 BC.
So Jesus could not be born during that registration AND in Herod times, because there is a 10 years gap between both.

If historians can't figure out the year, I wonder what the day could be!



I don't know about that. I'm not a believer, but I wish Merry Christmas anyway.
It's just a thing you say, but for many of us it's just empty of religious meaning. Just that it's a time for celebration, and we wish a happy celebration.

Some people are simply annoying.
As annoying as a zit in your butt.

And you can find annoying people of every kind of opinion.
They get mad if you don't celebrate Christmas, because they do.
They get mad if you celebrate Chrismas, because they don't.

They are just plain rude selfish people who can't show some basic respect.

I don't really know, I guess including everyone is better.
Where I live almost all population has been raised as a Christian, even if we don't believe anymore we know and understand and value those traditions.
So we are so used to saying "Merry Christmas" that any other thing kinda sounds forced.
I suppose we would get used to it, if someone we knew really cared about it being inclusive, but every non-Christian person I know really does not mind celebrating Chrismas their own way and still say "Merry Chrismas".


Being able to drive safely to places is quite a gift.
Although I understand it does not feel like one v_v