and so this is Christmas.

Helme · Fri 18/12/2009 23:25:41

Quote from: LimpingFish on Fri 18/12/2009 20:05:45
Ahh...Christmas. A time to paint little Santa hats on our forum pics.

Right

Darth Mandarb · Fri 18/12/2009 23:52:07

Quote from: LimpingFish on Fri 18/12/2009 20:05:45Ahh...Christmas. A time to paint little Santa hats on our forum pics.

Whatever are you talking about??

Ryan Timothy B · Fri 18/12/2009 23:54:34

Ha! Finally little Darthy isn't so grumpy looking. Excellent. 'Tis the Season.

Ponch · Sat 19/12/2009 01:25:20

Personally, I LOVE this time of year. Blinking lights, a plastic tree next to the sofa, an ipod filled with festive music, and (as has been pointed out), everyone's avatars get in the spirit.

What's not to love?

Merry Christmas, everyone!

- Ponch
--------------
p.s. Calin, get a Santa hat on that avatar ASAP. All the cool kids are doing it!

Snake · Sat 19/12/2009 02:02:35

Anyone up for some eggnog!? P0onch! Show us your teats!!1

Wonkyth · Sat 19/12/2009 04:46:28

If anyone can figure out how to get a hat on mine, I'd be grateful.

Ryan Timothy B · Sat 19/12/2009 05:24:30

wonkyth, like I said, 'tis the season!

copied slightly from snake's colors and design (it's a shared gift) haha

You better at least pretend you're happy for this present this year--last year your attitude was terrible!

TerranRich · Sat 19/12/2009 06:48:31

I love how there are scholars who regularly debate the birth of a fictional character.

Calin Leafshade · Sat 19/12/2009 07:14:02

Im fairly sure Jesus wasnt fictional. There's alot of evidence to suggest he did actually exist.

I'll be honest im a touch skeptical about the whole water into wine, walking on water thing...

Tuomas · Sat 19/12/2009 12:23:57

Jesus bloody christ, I just realised I've spent a whole 100€ on gifts for my brothers and sisters and my girlfriend :O You'll never appreciate all the gifts you get until you have to give them yourself, it's all bloody expensive!

Snarky · Sat 19/12/2009 15:26:37

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Fri 18/12/2009 15:34:32
Actually it seems most scholars agree on April. I thought it was march, i Apologise.

Actually, I think most scholars agree that we really have no idea, and that Jesus may have been born at just about any time of year.

Quote from: Misj' on Fri 18/12/2009 15:53:58
Let's agree to disagree which scholars we trust (and how we count 'most' in this case). But March/April normally bases its calculation on Nisan (the first month) being new year, while September bases it on the Jewish (religious) NewYear (Rosh Hashanah) which is in Tishri (the 7th month), and commonly falls in September (or early October). On a sidenote, this incidentally also fits the idea of Jesus being 33.5 years old when he died close to passover (which itself falls in the month Nisan); although I don't consider the latter very solid proof.

But what's the basis for assuming Jesus was born on/near the new year, whenever you place that?

Darth Mandarb · Sat 19/12/2009 15:51:34

As far as I understand it, Jesus' actual birth-date was completely forgotten in time.

I have heard several explanations as to why 25 December was selected but the one that makes the most sense to me is:

The Roman emperor Constantine made Christianity the law (yes law) in the Roman Empire after his "victory by god" at the battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Then his new church set out to decide what stories were acceptable for inclusion in Christianity (I love this often over-looked fact, "hey, let's pick what we like and just disregard the rest"). They selected 25 December (the approximate time of the winter solstice) to compete with Roman/Pagan holidays that took place around the winter solstice.

The lesson here? If you have no idea, just make something up that is the most convenient for your cause!

Atelier · Sat 19/12/2009 16:07:19

I remember hearing somewhere he was supposedly born 6 years before 0BC. So would that make him -6 years old, or our dates 6 years out of sync? If that was so, the 2012 magnetic-alignment-apocalypse will actually happen in 2018. Sorry scientists, but you're six years out.

Calin Leafshade · Sat 19/12/2009 17:06:36

Ya Jesus was definitely born before 0BC probably more like 7BC

As i understand it the 25th was chosen to coincide with Sol Invictus which was the Roman winter feast.

It also coincides with Saturnalia which ran from the 17th to the 25th i think.

Christians didnt celebrate christmas until hundreds of years later since celebrating birthdays was a pagan thing and thus not allowed for Christians.. which i find nicely ironic.

Leon · Sat 19/12/2009 18:08:21

Quote from: LimpingFish on Fri 18/12/2009 20:05:45
Ahh...Christmas. A time to paint little Santa hats on our forum pics.

You're absolutely right!

Atelier · Sat 19/12/2009 19:12:07

Hey Leon, we have matching hats! You got yours from the pound shop like me, didn't you?

Ponch · Sat 19/12/2009 19:28:34

Quote from: Snake on Sat 19/12/2009 02:02:35
Anyone up for some eggnog!? P0onch! Show us your teats!!1

Now hold on there, buddy. Bessie isn't that kind of cow.

And Ryan, fantastic work on Wonkyth's avatar. Mysterious and festive.

Leon · Sat 19/12/2009 20:38:30

Quote from: AtelierGames on Sat 19/12/2009 19:12:07
Hey Leon, we have matching hats! You got yours from the pound shop like me, didn't you?

Yep, now you mention it. I actually didn't look. Ripped the first one I saw from the shelf and was surprised by the prize (can you be in a pound shop?

) . And this one was a one size fits all (probably why you got it as well

) Since my head tolerates less and less (even hair seems to have a problem $:-\$ ) I was happy with this model!

Ryan Timothy B · Sat 19/12/2009 23:18:28

QuoteAnd Ryan, fantastic work on Wonkyth's avatar. Mysterious and festive.

I couldn't refuse the challenge and Wonkyth's avatar, for as long as I've known has been a broken image. It just felt right.

Snake · Sun 20/12/2009 00:50:46

Quote from: PinchNow hold on there, buddy. Bessie isn't that kind of cow.

I don't know, man, where I come from, cow's don't dance like that unless they're lookin' for a little somethin' somethin'.

Quote from: Ry0ncopied slightly from snake's colors and design (it's a shared gift) haha

Shared gift?? Haha? When was I gonna' be let in on this?