Christmas Definition Essay

What is the sole definition of Christmas? If I were to walk up to a random person in the street and ask them how do they define the reason on why we celebrate Christmas, I am sure their response would be that Christmas is a time where families get together, decorate their homes, cook a big feast, and exchanged gifts with one another. Also, if I were to ask a child what is Christmas, their response would be that Christmas is a time when Santa Claus keeps an eye on everyone before Christmas and if they have been good, they will be rewarded with gifts from Santa. However, according to the Bible it states, " Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because

the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.” (Jeremiah 10:2-4). As the bible does not explain a clear detailed scripture on Christmas, but it does inform those not to follow society who celebrate it.
The early Christians did not believe in celebrating Christmas as the day Christ was born, as there is no recorded date for his birth. Christmas was created to the day Christ was born throughout the history of Paganism. During the winter seasons, pagans used to began their winter festivities and decorate their homes and Christ was born during this time, which is how it came to be the birth of Christ. However , there is some confusion among Christianity and the day Christ was born, because on the day he was born bells were rang throughout the town and candles were lit to represent that the light of the world was born. The Christmas holiday has changed and expanded into many different cultures, and leaves many unanswered questions about this day. These two differences throughout history are prime examples of Christmas in a Practical and a Marxist perspective.
For example, if Christmas were analyzed by a Marxist and were to focus on the growing consumerism of the holiday in the United States, they would be able to identify the increased amount of time that is place when shopping and giving gifts. Also, on how the media and consumers advertise on goods they will be selling and why it would be a great gift for the Christmas holiday. The time that has been decreased when people should be spending time with their families or friends during this time, would also be analyzed. People spend thousands of dollars on gifts each holiday year; this urges consumers to increase the prices of their goods. This creates a domino effect in our society, by causing individuals to save a large amount of their income and by making it increasingly hard for lower class families to buy anything. A theory in a Marxist view can conclude that shopping during Christmas and other holidays may have impact the societies division of classes and a decrease in middle class.
It is truly not understandable why it is so important to exchange gifts during Christmas. Also, during this time people make a great deal about receiving gifts rather than giving to those who are really in need. Those who spend thousands of dollars during this holiday afterwards are still struggling with financial issues. People fail to realize that they may constantly strike against certain action given by Capitalism, but do not see that they will always fall into their traps. Consumers do not care whether a person is struggling and wants to purchase their goods. They solely care about the wealth they will be making and strategizing on different tactics for further holidays. This is just one example of many that shows how society in the U.S. allows consumers into allowing money to overshadow the importance of tradition in our society.
On the contrary, if the Christmas Holiday was viewed through a practical theorist and based their theory on Consumerism, they could compare on what families do to celebrate Christmas versus on what they say or if they follow what society tells them to do.

It is often that people will always follow society but will try to deny that they do, or to act as if they follow old traditions. For example, many families that try to follow traditions will decorate their homes with light and candles, purchase a Christmas tree, bake cookies, and disclose Christmas cards to others. However, these families will spend their weekend buying expensive gifts, which still goes as follow what society tells them to do. Another practical analysis that could be made is on how much money and time is spent in shopping malls compared to the amount of time spent in church, in a room with their family, and how this holiday as changed throughout history. For instance, a family who wakes up on Christmas morning, the first thing which is common would be to open their gifts they have received from one another, rather than to share what their thankful for or to go to church to praise. People have become so eager behind materialistic things rather than to follow what should be most important to

them.
In conclusion, through these two theories the question will always remain what defines Christmas and how should it really be celebrated. Throughout history time has changed in so many different ways and it will always continue. Another important factor is whether people would realize and change their habits and not spend a frivolous amount of money on materialistic things. Maybe if people choose not to follow society, and spend their holidays in a traditionally fashion, it might cause consumers to lower their prices on goods, or turning to other methods by teaching families to celebrate Christmas in old traditions. These theories provide a perspective on how Christmas has evolved American Culture and how they spend more time on consumerism, rather than their own families. Gift giving is much easier as most family don’t associates with one another in society today, and is considered the better way of showing that you still care for them.