Elmo's Christmas Countdown

[Ilikemuppets]

Well, my take is I've tried to give this guy a chance and well he's already had his day plus some. I'm truly beginning to really see just how out of control and annoying it's getting. I think it's out of the characters control even. The hype over him is beyond himself and that is a scary thing. It's just to much. They could at least scale back some. My two cents. I get him, I understand him and I even like him and am a fan of him. So don't get me wrong here.

 

[GonzoLeaper]

I read the summary for the special on Muppet Wiki:

"Every year on Sesame Street somebody gets the chance to open the doors of the advent calendar, counting down the ten days until Christmas. This year it's Elmo's turn -- but the wind blows the calendar out of his hands, and he has to hunt all over the Street to find the days before Christmas comes."

Hmm, that is kinda nice (though of course it just happens to be ELMO'S turn lol). I hope the moral of the story is that Christmas is more than just an Advent calendar (not that an Advent calendar is a bad thing, they're definitely great). I also wonder if they'll mention why this particular calendar is called an "Advent." Probably not, since most shows nowadays are afraid to do so. On the other hand, Sesame Street did do a manger play in a previous special, which was much appreciated

Are you referring to "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together"? I don't recall Sesame Street doing a nativity scene unless it was in "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays" (those holidays in question being Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa - just in case you thought it was maybe Easter, Halloween and Arbor Day- and it could be with just the generic phrase to go on)

But I definitely loved seeing John Denver tell about the birth of Jesus Christ toward the end of the Christmas special he did with the Muppets, as he recounts from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 about the birth of Jesus and the coming of the shepherds and wise men. (The wise men more than likely came two years or so later than the shepherds, but they wanted to make sure they were included in the time frame they had.)
I'd love to see a new Sesame Street Christmas special explain why Christians celebrate Christmas- not only just the birth of Christ- but the hope that the Virgin Birth brought- the Messiah, the Savior had come- to die on the cross and rise again and pay for the sins of the world. Jesus brought salvation for mankind- that's why I celebrate Christmas, which is only complete with Easter to celebrate my risen Lord.

However, I doubt political correctness will allow for that message to be portrayed, unfortunately. That's why, though I love numerous Christmas movies, including "It's a Wonderful Life", all the Muppet Christmas productions (particulary "Muppet Family Christmas" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street"), and "Miracle on 34th. Street", and "All I Want for Christmas" and "The Santa Clause" movies- and numerous others really-
my all time favorites will definitely be "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! Go Linus, with Luke chapter 2. "For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)- "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."- Linus

 

[Erine81981]

Are you referring to "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together"? I don't recall Sesame Street doing a nativity scene unless it was in "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays" (those holidays in question being Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa - just in case you thought it was maybe Easter, Halloween and Arbor Day- and it could be with just the generic phrase to go on)

But I definitely loved seeing John Denver tell about the birth of Jesus Christ toward the end of the Christmas special he did with the Muppets, as he recounts from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 about the birth of Jesus and the coming of the shepherds and wise men. (The wise men more than likely came two years or so later than the shepherds, but they wanted to make sure they were included in the time frame they had.)
I'd love to see a new Sesame Street Christmas special explain why Christians celebrate Christmas- not only just the birth of Christ- but the hope that the Virgin Birth brought- the Messiah, the Savior had come- to die on the cross and rise again and pay for the sins of the world. Jesus brought salvation for mankind- that's why I celebrate Christmas, which is only complete with Easter to celebrate my risen Lord.

However, I doubt political correctness will allow for that message to be portrayed, unfortunately. That's why, though I love numerous Christmas movies, including "It's a Wonderful Life", all the Muppet Christmas productions (particulary "Muppet Family Christmas" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street"), and "Miracle on 34th. Street", and "All I Want for Christmas" and "The Santa Clause" movies- and numerous others really-
my all time favorites will definitely be "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! Go Linus, with Luke chapter 2. "For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)- "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."- Linus

Very well put GonzoLeaper.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Are you referring to "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together"? I don't recall Sesame Street doing a nativity scene unless it was in "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays" (those holidays in question being Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa - just in case you thought it was maybe Easter, Halloween and Arbor Day- and it could be with just the generic phrase to go on)

Yeah I guess I'm referring to "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays". I never saw the whole thing, just that one part. Thanks!

But I definitely loved seeing John Denver tell about the birth of Jesus Christ toward the end of the Christmas special he did with the Muppets, as he recounts from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 about the birth of Jesus and the coming of the shepherds and wise men. (The wise men more than likely came two years or so later than the shepherds, but they wanted to make sure they were included in the time frame they had.)

Yeah I appreicated that too! Back when respecting all religions didn't mean excluding one, hehe.

I'd love to see a new Sesame Street Christmas special explain why Christians celebrate Christmas- not only just the birth of Christ- but the hope that the Virgin Birth brought- the Messiah, the Savior had come- to die on the cross and rise again and pay for the sins of the world. Jesus brought salvation for mankind- that's why I celebrate Christmas, which is only complete with Easter to celebrate my risen Lord.

However, I doubt political correctness will allow for that message to be portrayed, unfortunately. That's why, though I love numerous Christmas movies, including "It's a Wonderful Life", all the Muppet Christmas productions (particulary "Muppet Family Christmas" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street"), and "Miracle on 34th. Street", and "All I Want for Christmas" and "The Santa Clause" movies- and numerous others really-
my all time favorites will definitely be "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas"! Go Linus, with Luke chapter 2. "For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)- "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."- Linus

Yeah, I mean, I understand that no one should feel left out at Christmas if they don't celebrate the religion meaning. And the secular aspects are great, it's part of celebrating! But there's got to be some kind of compromise. You shouldn't have to be afraid to celebrate a religious holiday, especially in America. Of course, it's never been easy to be a Christian, heh. Of course, we don't have it so bad here compared to other countries.

Personally, I think the over secularizing of Christmas was bound to happen. If you watch all the old Christmas specials from the '60s, there's one common theme. Everyone's worried that Christmas is getting too commercial. We were getting too concerned with the presents and the money etc. We were slowly pushing the religion aside, until finally it's almost completely out of the picture. In my opinion, we did it to ourselves. We left Christmas vulnerable to commercialism and increased secularism. And now we're upset. Maybe the next generations will learn keep a tighter hold on the spiritual meaning.

 

[Drtooth]

At least it IS a Christmas special. It could have been a generic winter holiday special conceved by a bunch of white Christians to make sure everyone doesn't feel left out by singling them out anyway.

I will never fully understand why they can't just make Hannukka and Kwanza specails along side the Christmas ones.

 

[CensoredAlso]

At least it IS a Christmas special. It could have been a generic winter holiday special conceved by a bunch of white Christians to make sure everyone doesn't feel left out by singling them out anyway.

I will never fully understand why they can't just make Hannukka and Kwanza specails along side the Christmas ones.

Oh gosh yes, I would not want to see a generic winter holiday special! Talk about a copout! Though, I've often found the group doing those specials are also liberal Hollywood who don't want to give Christianity any good image, heh. But that's another issue! (and I'm both liberal and conversative, I have loyalty to both )

Yeah plenty of shows just put all the holidays together, which really should be enough. I saw Blue Clue's do that once, very successfully. While I don't generally watch the show, I really liked the job they did. They went through each holiday one by one and gave each the same amount of respect (even calling Christmas a "birthday" instead of Santa's day! Hehe)

 

[D'Snowth]

Kind of a stengy Advent Calendar, eh? I mean, only ten days? Every Advent Calendar I've ever had, or seen in stores, all had 25 doors to open, so you can start opening from December 1, to December 25.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Wow, I hadn't even noticed that! That is weird that it's the 10 days till Christmas. They probably got the calendar at Wal Mart, hehe!

 

[Drtooth]

Oh gosh yes, I would not want to see a generic winter holiday special! Talk about a copout! Though, I've often found the group doing those specials are also liberal Hollywood who don't want to give Christianity any good image, heh. But that's another issue!

I'm pointing out the blantant hypocracy that it brings. I mean, there's a difference between things like Elmo's World happy holidays and Arthur's perfect Christmas where they actually show all the different holidays and something with a generic winter holiday.

The people who do this are usually White Christians. I mean, sure some Jews and other non-christinas do feel left out. But it's like when you have one kid in class that doesn't quite fit in and has trouble learning things. Instead of accomodating him, they make the whole class have to catch up with that one kid. it's insulting and frustraiting to both sides. i'm just saying, call it a Christmas tree when you put it up in the town square, but put a menorah and a Kwanza candelabra next to it so everyone can be represented, not just generified.

I will save this for another thread on another day. I am Christian. But I cannot stand how greedy corrupt politicians can take something as pure as religion (any one, not just Christianity or Islam) and use it as a tool to brainwash the masses so they can take over, usually by contradicting things that are in numerous places in a religious text. I.E. thou shalt not kill.

But enough of that.

I'm just glad that we finally have a nice Christmas special that isn't a crappy Rudolph knockoff. those things are brutal.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I totally understand what you mean, I see all those things happening too. We just disagree on the source of the problem. If Christians are bending over backwards to please everybody, I do think it's because they are feeling pressure from secular groups.

But yes, the religion is a man made institution that is open to flaws and corruption. I do believe everyone in a religion has the responsibility to separate the religion from the faith in their minds. And of course, be aware that every religion is both good and bad.

But yeah that's a totally separate topic. I just wish the holiday season would arrive, lol!