Just a Reminder, be happy

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I understand that sometimes around the holidays people become depressed whether because of family or hard times. And my family has especially been in the hard times we're like... in the Dark Ages we're not exactly the most privileged ones out there. I'm not complaining though...much. I found it through God's blessings that I actually gathered up enough money to get my mother and dad a gift because I'm about as broke as broke can get lol. And it can be depressing for some teens who can't get or parents who can't provide. I have friends like that and there are tons of kids at my school who have to hear the superficial ungrateful teens say things like "like omg my dad is probably going to buy me a yot for Christmas but I already have like 3" and stuff like that. Quite annoying but it's alright. It's the thought that counts with family gathering and just enjoying a good day. My family will most likely end up eating half their weight in Brazilian/Jamaican food and the other half in desert then open whatever amount gifts we have, go to church for like half the day, play video games and watch hours and hours of star wars, lord of the rings and whatever else they can dig up. But I'm rather just happy I get to spend some time with people I haven't seen in 364 days lol. So yeah make sure to enjoy the more heart felt things rather than just material pleasure. Wish you guys a Merry Merry Christmas and a life changing New Year love yas

And the same to you honey; you have always struck me as a lovely person: hug

Why do you have to spend so long in church? My whole family are keeping my grandmother company this christmas since my granddad died a few weeks ago, so we're having a very Catholic Christmas. But still, we only have to go to church for an hour, maybe 90 minutes at most.

well my church doesn't last long since we have it in the theatres we have to be out of there before it starts. But it seems like half the day because we go so early in the morning that you're body's systems aren't even up and running yet and get back in the afternoon. church is fun though on Christmas because then we get to act stupid all day without being told to shut up lol

Haha, well I just talked to my sis and apparently I have to go to church twice! Once later tonight (Xmas Eve) at midnight, and then again on Christmas morning at about 9:30. What a wonderful start to the day!

awww that sucks! That sounds bad from me but my mom would have to drag me out of the house kicking and screaming lol.

Well you're not a Catholic, are you? I don't think any other Christians have as much devotion to church as full practising Catholics.

lol well not my church isn't really into tradition or rituals or anything. to be honest in my opinion the youth rules the church but I'm just saying. no jk lol. but my church is sort of like... more outgoing or public I would say. most churches of friends I visit you have to wear something nice or whatever but most people go in jeans and sweats or whatever. not sloppy but it's just to feel comfortable and our songs are a bit louder and faster. basically it's just the type of thing you wouldn't fall asleep in because most churches I visit I fall asleep in like 5 seconds it's so boring

Merry Christmas, A.W

We go into church with our big jackets still on, sit there, stand there, kneel there, go up for some communion, kneel again, stand again, sit again, stand as the priest leaves then everyone runs for the car park, people tripping and crushing each other trying to escape through the doors while simultaneously blessing themselves.

lol jeez lueez. the last part sounds fun though lol we have an hour of prayer in one theatre for those who want to as the other people set up for church in the otherMerry Christmas A.W. you know I didn't forget about you

Oh, well all the dad's get off 5 minutes early. In the last few minutes you can see them all quietly leaving to go outside and get the cars ready. They get the cars into position and heat them up for the families to run into. Its funny, for the last 5 minutes of mass there are only women and children in the church.

lol that's a bloody shame. if they're that intent on leaving they shouldn't go in the first place

Church isn't even going to be a part of my Christmas this year. I used to go with my family, but I wouldn't consider myself to be a Christian and I don't know anyone there from the community aspect of it so I don't meet with anyone. For me, the important thing is just seeing my family and a time for reflection and goal setting.I think that this message is something we all need. My great grandma died a little over a week ago, and the funeral was earlier this week. I chose to look at the bright side of things though. It was a chance to see family members I haven't seen in years, and I got to see my nana at least a few times this past year so I got to talk with her a bit before she passed away, you know, pass on a bit of the wisdom. I miss her and she was a wonderful person (and at 99 she had a memory almost as good as mine), but I'm not grieved. I'm happy that I have a family to be with and spend Christmas with (despite having to work Christmas Eve and a 12 hour shift on boxing day, augh, it will be madness!).Merry Christmas

Well its not really that easy for Catholics, if you don't go to church then you go to Hell. Its not just the mass that makes people want to leave, its the giant freezing cold room thats gets to most.

Oh will ya shut up!! If you think she is mad at you then ask her in a PM. If she doesn't reply within a day or two, then assume its a yes!I know it seems like I pick on you a lot, but its just your apparent obsession with Abi that pisses me off.

Don't apologise. Just if you have a personal problem with her then keep it private.I'm being quite hypocritical by displaying my personal dilsike of your brown-nosing here in public, but I hope this is the last time I feel the need to say it.

wow that's... really something special, I thought church was supposed to be like a second home where you can be comfortableA.W. why do you think I'm upet with you?

Catholicism is based on fear. The Catholic church is brutal, and a lot of the current adult generation have very bad experiences with them. Most people who were in school before the 70s were abused by priests and nuns. Not all sexually, but physically. Now suddenly the church has lost control and these people have been given the option to stay away. My dad hates going to church because he had the shit beaten out of him by his teachers. And it was acceptable as recently as the 60s!

yes I can tell when I read about Roman Catholicism and how it almost took over the entire world with its domination in England, Spain, France and such. Especially Spain. It's a good thing the Reformations and Renaissances happened when they did or the world would be quite different today