Christmas Influence On American Culture

The puritans from England not only escaped from the religious pressure by the king but brought their cultures and traditions when they left from their home. The example of those is Christmas. As the believer of Jesus Christ, they had been celebrating the birth of their god by their ways. After their immigration to New England, the religious ritual changed by times.

Ironically, the Puritans banned to celebrate Christmas in 1600s, and it was considered as even taboo. This concept was brought from England. Puritans thought that celebration was referred to the paganism and idolatry, which were against atmosphere of 17th century. Also, they could not find the biblical proofs. As the result, the congress of England was banned celebrating holidays such as Christmas and the Easters in 1643. This law was changed by the Christians who wanted to congratulate Christmas. It was descended to the Pioneers heading to New

England. They did not celebrate at first. The law of Massachusetts in 1659 forced people to pay rather heavy penalty. Even though, people who had desire to do religious events so loved that more and more, the law had been changed in 1681. However, although the law fixed so people could enjoy then happily, still many Christians offended.
Until the mid-19th century, most of today's familiar Christmas trappings were already in place such as Christmas carols, gift giving and tree decoration.

Charles Dickens had published “A Christmas Carol” in 1843 and indeed, the Civil War saw the first introductions to the modern image of a jolly and portly Santa Claus through the drawings of Thomas Nast, a German-speaking immigrant. Christmas in the American Civil War (1861–1865) was celebrated in both the United States and the Confederate States of America. However, the day did not become an official holiday until five years after the war ended. The war continued to rage on Christmas and skirmishes occurred throughout the countryside. Celebrations for both troops and civilians saw significant alteration. Propagandists used wartime Christmases to reflect their beliefs. In 1870, Christmas became an official Federal holiday to unify north and south. The Christmas during the brutal war helped the soldiers of both sides to get out of the battlefield and be the window bonding between them and their family and

god.
These days, there are various ways how to celebrate Christmas in the USA as much as the various people are. People decorate house with glowing and bright colors of bulbs. In addition, it is decorated with statue of virgin Maria and saints, too. Decorating Christmas tree, dinner, and presents are already idolized. Shopping, Christmas movie, and Parade cannot be exceptional. Like these, people spend their time in the whole year with your family and have a meaning on it, also. By that, they remind how precious your family is and how much you love them. On the other hand, some people do something valuable such as they volunteer on the community. They prefer more than comfort by themselves but share the happiness with everyone.
The Christmas was annually with America in every winter since this country had founded. It gave them always happiness, hope, and courage that kept them going through next year. I don’t doubt this Christmas won’t let me down like last one.