As far as "This Is What We Do and What We Have Always Done," I think that the very repetition of tradition, far from being meaningless, is part of what can give it meaning: memories are built, and we take meaning and depth from that. Certainly repetition alone is not enough to lend meaning to celebration, but I believe it's important. That's why I like the special day part, as opposed to random times . . . it makes it special. It gives people a focal point for their spiritual and earthly love and joy. I think that if we gave random presents all the time, it would make present-giving less meaningful, less significant, more every-day. For one thing, present-giving on Christmas is something people do together.
I think I know what you mean by "ceremony," but do you wanna elaborate and/or give me specific examples so I can better attempt to explain why I hold such a "dim view"? I was referring to our several previous discussions of Catholicism vs. Protestantism, in which we often used "ceremony" as a convenient example of one of the major differences between the two. I believe you used to say that you didn't see as much value in it; I believe this had something to do with the possibility of it being a rote act rather than an intentional one, while I did not believe it was so.
As for examples, "ceremony" includes everything from taking the eucharist and singing certain songs during certain times at church, to decorating Christmas trees and handing out presents. These are symbolic acts that incorporate history, familial bonds, and even more visceral tools such as light, warmth, and melody, which evoke spiritual feelings in the participants. Etc.
Re: the defense, er, doesn't rest
As far as "This Is What We Do and What We Have Always Done," I think that the very repetition of tradition, far from being meaningless, is part of what can give it meaning: memories are built, and we take meaning and depth from that. Certainly repetition alone is not enough to lend meaning to celebration, but I believe it's important. That's why I like the special day part, as opposed to random times . . . it makes it special. It gives people a focal point for their spiritual and earthly love and joy. I think that if we gave random presents all the time, it would make present-giving less meaningful, less significant, more every-day. For one thing, present-giving on Christmas is something people do together.
I think I know what you mean by "ceremony," but do you wanna elaborate and/or give me specific examples so I can better attempt to explain why I hold such a "dim view"?
I was referring to our several previous discussions of Catholicism vs. Protestantism, in which we often used "ceremony" as a convenient example of one of the major differences between the two. I believe you used to say that you didn't see as much value in it; I believe this had something to do with the possibility of it being a rote act rather than an intentional one, while I did not believe it was so.
As for examples, "ceremony" includes everything from taking the eucharist and singing certain songs during certain times at church, to decorating Christmas trees and handing out presents. These are symbolic acts that incorporate history, familial bonds, and even more visceral tools such as light, warmth, and melody, which evoke spiritual feelings in the participants. Etc.