Christmas is a joyous time of year that involves many traditions, but undergoes scrutiny. Many times, families who celebrate Christmas do not know of it’s true origin and just grew up in it and have passed it on in their families from then on. What exactly does Christmas involves in this age, why is it involved with scrutiny, and why should we care?
Christmas, according to History.com, is “A Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas evolved over two millennia into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many pre-Christian, pagan traditions into the festivities along the way. Today Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts” (Christmas).
While that is true, there is still more to be uncovered. Many are confused as to how, when, and where Christmas was originally from. There are many theories and people just learn to accept whatever they have celebrated as their way.
The facts are this: “Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870; In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous – a lot like today’s Mardi Gras parties; From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings” among many other facts about the holiday can be found on history.com (History of Christmas).
However, Christmas has undergone a lot of hate. Mainly because this time of year brings out the greed of the world and the fact that almost every place tries to blind you with their Christmas traditions, even if you don’t celebrate it. Another reason is “Jesus wasn’t born on or near December 25” so the religious aspect is not accepted by some (Ashley). The main reason people have issues with Christmas is because of the religious aspects surrounding it. Another reason is, “The Christmas holiday is largely a recycled pagan celebration.” (Ashley).
We should care about this because many people don’t celebrate Christmas and they never really get a say as to the many traditions that are blinding them every day this time of year. Where are the traditions for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa that are rarely seen? I feel as if they need more attention, so people know that Christmas is not the only way to celebrate something during the holiday season. Therefore, people are more formally saying “Happy Holidays” instead of strictly “Merry Christmas.”
There are different celebrations throughout the world during this season. Christmas is celebrated with a tree to decorate, a big dinner, and the opening of gifts is the standard. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting the menorah, eating foods fried in oil, and games with the dreidel (What you need). Kwanzaa is celebrated by placing a “mkeka (straw hat)” that “rests on a table covered by kente cloth, or another African fabric” and with the colors that represent “black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle” (Nittle).
How do you celebrate your holidays this season? There are so many ways you can incorporate your old traditions into new ones in any holiday. Just realize that your holiday, is not the only one being celebrated.
References
Ashley, Scott. “The Top 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Celebrate Christmas.” United Church of God, 25 Nov. 2006, www.ucg.org/the-good-news/the-top-10-reasons-why-i-dont-celebrate-christmas.
“CHRISTMAS.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/christmas.
“History of Christmas.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas#.
Jacobson, Lindsey. “What You Need to Know about Hanukkah.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 12 Dec. 2017, abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/hanukkah-/story?id=51516380.
Nittle, Nadra Kareem. “What Is Kwanzaa and Why Is It Celebrated?” ThoughtCo, 8 July 2017, www.thoughtco.com/what-is-kwanzaa-2834584.
