How is the celebration of Christmas different today than it was when you were a child, how is it the same, and what is your favorite Christmas memory?

Pastor Roy Bowen, New Song Christian Fellowship, Milwaukee
When I was growing up, Christmastime revolved around the activities of the church and church community. Schools closed to honor things that were going on around the church community. Schools did not have any activities on Sunday nor Wednesday evening. There was lots of talk about the birth of Jesus and what it meant to us.
There was no emphasis on gifts. If we received a gift (one) that was sufficient. We planned for weeks to take a Jesus Birthday Offering at the church. After all, it is His birthday.
We would save our change and place it in a large decorated box at the front of the church. The money went to missionaries. It was a time when all people understood that Jesus was the reason for the season. It was not the rush and spend society that we see today.
Christmas memories were many but always came back to church or church related activities. We enjoyed bobsledding and hot chocolate as a youth group, Christmas caroling to the older members of the church; they always served cookies and the annual Christmas play at the church.
This was a community event. We saw people at the church who we did not see at any other time of the year but they would come to acknowledge Jesus.
I know that modern days have things that we did not have during the 50s and 60s but back then, Christmas was really an enjoyable time with family and church family and Jesus was really the celebrated guest of honor. Lets remember ...