I was sitting here listening to the news, and the POPE stated that Christmas is too commercialized. Really, you think so.. they started putting Christmas decorations out before Halloween this year. I guess as I get older I find that for me, it is definitely less about what I am going to get, but more about giving to the people who are important to me.
When and why did Christmas go from being a religious holiday to a commercial holiday that barely allows you to see the reason for the season? When I did a little research, I was dumbfounded about the relatively short period of time that Christmas has actually been celebrated here in the United States.
What I discovered was that at times the various reformation and puritanical groups actually outlawed Christmas. Then when there was great upheaval because of the differences in the classes it was not celebrated.
It only started to become popular in the 1820’s here in the US when the “Twas the night before Christmas” story came out. Then it slowly grew in popularity in different regions of the US, until it was finally made a Federal Holiday in 1870.
Now it is the main economic stimulus each year for many nations. A quarter of all personal spending in the US occurs at Christmas time. So there is no wonder that there is very little mention of the birth of Jesus in the entire media blitz. Imagine the economic loss if folks weren’t guilted into over spending and giving presents to folks that they barely liked.
I just know that my enjoyment is not from presents, but from the time I get to spend with my family and friends.
I would like to say that I am somewhat hypocritical since I LOVE SUGAR COOKIES. The best sugar cookies are made at the Christmas holiday.
So if we could have a cookie holiday which allowed you to hang with all of the important people in your life, then I would be all for it.
