It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas these days. To the average Joe or Jane, this conjures thoughts of snow and gussied-up trees, Santa Claus and sleigh bells, or a cozy warm fireplace inside while it’s chilly outside. Nice nostalgic impressions of an annual tradition of goodwill.
But as subtle and sly as Santa on Christmas Eve, these traditional views of Christmas have changed. Though whatever good intensions were initially set in place for the holiday, those intensions no longer hold true.
Christmas has begun to reflect upon a more modern culture that is less about family values and goodwill, and more about consumerism and greed. It has shed its spiritual associations and adopted a far more secular manner. It now comes as packaged and manufactured as the toys and gifts we purchase for under the tree.
What is Christmas really?
In this day and age, what we have come to know as Christmas is actually a blend of many traditions and religions predating Christianity. They mixed in as the cultures grew together. What is not as well known is that Christmas was outlawed in parts of early America because of its sinful and corrupt behavior. Only in the past hundred years or so has it been the family-value centered holiday we know it as.
Now, it has changed once again. We have replaced goodwill with consumerist endeavors, put prices on relationships and have founded new traditions of debt.
How many of us go out caroling or take part in other community/charity based activities compared to those who shop endlessly, in search for the best deals they can find? Instead of helping our neighbors, we willingly mount higher debt levels and save less. In the last couple years, Americans spent more than we earned—we have negative savings.
Christmas also carries the theme of spirituality along with it. It is, after all, named after the Catholic mass for Christ. Some may focus upon this and cite it as a reaffirmation of good values, a reminder of humanity based principles. Christianity does teach many great values. One of my favorite lessons is the story of an angered Christ turning over the tables of moneychangers and merchants who set up shop in a temple, rebuking them. A lesson and warning to those who alter what is sacred and spiritual into a genre of profitability.
I will admit that even I throw on a bit of Bing Crosby this time of year, and I too enjoy sitting down with my family. I like the food and the smells that can accompany the holiday. There still remain good parts of Christmas, but these finer points are trampled by other reigning aspects. The characteristics that now define Christmas are far removed from the cherished nostalgic ones that bring joy.
What Christmas is really about is values, and what we as a culture value. Perhaps at one time we held virtuous worth highly, and we let it shine during this holiday season. Today it seems that attribute is fading, and the hustle of mass consumption has taken its place, bringing along with it debt and greed.
While you go through the motions of this season, try not to forget that debt does not bring as much cheer as charity, and shopping is far less valuable than time with your friends and family. Oh and don’t forget, new renditions of Christmas classics are no substitute for a Bing Crosby original (except for of course Twisted Sister’s A Twisted Christmas).