Has the Meaning of Christmas Been Lost? 2013
So advent has finally begun and so begins the Christmas spirit, and what a beautiful time of the year it is. The decorations illuminating the darkening skies, Christmas trees are up and 'Elf' is beginning to be shown on the TV, just a miniscule of the joy that December brings. However, the complaint that Christmas’ true meaning has become distorted in the modern society is becoming an increasingly popular view. Many believe that the Christian tradition is being lost and that it wasn't the Grinch that stole Christmas but the commercialisation and the misrepresentation of what Christmas ultimately is. But, although perhaps justified, the cynicism in this admission seems to ignore what even the more modern Christmas does for us, even religiously. As does Christmas really have to be inherently a Christian holiday dedicated to celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus? Or can Christmas resonate with everyone even if not overtly religious? Christmas may slowly be losing its intended religious nature, but I believe what Christmas is promoting still reaps what the religious side of Christmas intends.
Perhaps one of the main impressions of Christmas in our contemporary society is the idea of presents, whether one is more joyed in giving or receiving gifts. It's inescapable in the December period with the advertisements aiming to boost profit, even if masked as something deeply personal like the John Lewis adverts. However it's wrong to consider that Christmas only fuels are greed as Christmas sees a boost in charitable acts: helping the less fortunate being paramount in Christianity. The fact that more people volunteer around Christmas time really shows that we aren't all Scrooge and selfish but we are compassionate beings, a side that Christmas encourages within us.
Christmas also promotes the importance of 'family time'. Whether this sees the intended outcomes with the susceptibility of family feuds seeming sensitized at Christmas, whether this is a long-standing family disputes arising, or just a debate on how long the turkey should be cooked. However, the foundation of Christmas still fosters a 'togetherness' within families and sometimes is the only time in the year when a meal will be sat down and cooked together.
But most important in Christmas is the contemplation triggered inside us, the acknowledgment of our circumstances and how we our lucky to have the opportunities that we have. And it's a time of memory for all that once was, remembering the losses we may have experienced in life, but also the prosperity of life that is to come. Christmas may be centred on a miraculous conception and birth, but on a smaller scale we can recognise miracles in our own lives: a birth of a child, the impending return of a lover and just the fact that we are alive.
So when ever your Christmas joy is flailing when considering that the importance of Christmas is skewed, remember that there are many aspects that- although may not be overtly religious- still promote the best within us, preparing our better nature for the New Year.
Perhaps one of the main impressions of Christmas in our contemporary society is the idea of presents, whether one is more joyed in giving or receiving gifts. It's inescapable in the December period with the advertisements aiming to boost profit, even if masked as something deeply personal like the John Lewis adverts. However it's wrong to consider that Christmas only fuels are greed as Christmas sees a boost in charitable acts: helping the less fortunate being paramount in Christianity. The fact that more people volunteer around Christmas time really shows that we aren't all Scrooge and selfish but we are compassionate beings, a side that Christmas encourages within us.
Christmas also promotes the importance of 'family time'. Whether this sees the intended outcomes with the susceptibility of family feuds seeming sensitized at Christmas, whether this is a long-standing family disputes arising, or just a debate on how long the turkey should be cooked. However, the foundation of Christmas still fosters a 'togetherness' within families and sometimes is the only time in the year when a meal will be sat down and cooked together.
But most important in Christmas is the contemplation triggered inside us, the acknowledgment of our circumstances and how we our lucky to have the opportunities that we have. And it's a time of memory for all that once was, remembering the losses we may have experienced in life, but also the prosperity of life that is to come. Christmas may be centred on a miraculous conception and birth, but on a smaller scale we can recognise miracles in our own lives: a birth of a child, the impending return of a lover and just the fact that we are alive.
So when ever your Christmas joy is flailing when considering that the importance of Christmas is skewed, remember that there are many aspects that- although may not be overtly religious- still promote the best within us, preparing our better nature for the New Year.
