“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts” (Merry). J.L.W. Brooks made an honest evaluation of what this season should truly be about. Buried in commercialism, many people have lost sight of the origins and significance of Christmas. For some, it is a time for celebrating the Son of God, Jesus Christ, being born into the world. But, where did the celebration of benevolence and giving originate? Nikolaos of Myra, or Saint Nicholas, was a true exemplar of generosity and it was his acts in third century Eastern Europe that evolved into the modern Christmas holiday. Nicholas was a patron, a provider, and a protector of the people. The difference he made was so momentous that his legend is still celebrated throughout …show more content…
the world almost two thousand years later. Born in the region of Lycia, now modern day Turkey, Nicholas was raised by affluent Christian parents. Nicholas was taught strong Christian values and became a devout believer at an early age. Tragedy struck Nicholas when he lost his parents to a deadly plague that swept through Eastern Europe. He then went to live with his uncle, an abbot or the head of a monastery, where he continued to grow in his faith (Boyhood). Nicholas inherited a considerable amount of wealth from his parents, but he did not squander his birthright on material possessions. Instead, he used it to contribute to the common good of society. Nicholas adhered closely to scripture and followed Jesus’ call in Matthew 19:21 to “sell what you own,” and to “give the money to the poor” (Matthew). Nicholas used his wealth to do the Lord's work and by this, he helped change the lives of children, the poor, and the needy on numerous occasions. Nicholas and his acts of goodwill are inspirational. In the third century, women were not revered as they are today. Their sole aspiration was to get married, but for women without dowries this dream could never be realized. History tells of a man who had three daughters. Tragically, this man lost all of his wealth and became impoverished, causing him to fear for his daughters’ futures. If they never married, they were ensured fates of slavery or even prostitution. Nicholas heard of the man’s bad fortune and felt compelled to help. In the night, Nicholas threw bags of gold through the window of the man's home which happened to land into stockings and shoes left out to dry near the fireplace. Having saved the women from lives of servitude, Nicholas’ only request was that the man keep his identity a secret and give God the glory for his charity. From this, the tradition of hanging empty stockings awaiting gifts and blessings from Nicholas was born. A humble man, Nicholas gave up his wealth to help the less fortunate, making him a patron of the people (Three). Nicholas was committed to delivering blessings to his people and contributing to the common good.
A particular low point befell his home of Lycia when a famine struck, leaving people without food and struggling to survive. Nicholas, concerned for their well-being, looked for solutions. Because this famine was not widespread, neighboring areas were plentiful with grain. An Italian merchant, who was loading his ship with grain, had a dream in which Nicholas spoke to him. In the dream, he offered the merchant three gold coins from his fortune if he would come to Myra, a town in Lycia, to sell the grain. Upon awaking, he did what Nicholas asked and sold his grain to the people of Myra. The merchant told the people how Nicholas came to him in a dream and they were amazed by the miracle and the generosity of Nicholas. His deliverance of the people proved Nicholas to be not only a patron of the people, but also a provider for the people …show more content…
(Famine). Another instance of Nicholas contributing to the common good of others was on his pilgrimage to the holy land, the birthplace of Christianity (Pilgrimage). After his departure on an Egyptian ship, he had a dream in the night of a terrible storm. But, God assured him that he would safely guide the ship. After warning the sailors of the pending storm, the sky grew dark and the sea was overcome with tumultuous waves. The winds were so great that it cast a man who was attempting to tighten the sails down to the deck below, killing him. Fearing for their lives, the sailors pleaded with Nicholas to save them from peril. Nicholas prayed to God to quell the storm and prayed over the dead sailor, reviving him “as if he had only been asleep” (Pilgrimage). Nicholas placed his faith in God and was able to calm the sea just like Christ did in Matthew 8:23-27. Once known only as a beloved patron and provider, Nicholas was now known as a protector of the people. Nicholas made such a difference in the lives of the people around him that he was elected to be the bishop of Myra.
He received the overwhelming support of his people and was elected virtually unanimously. He was revered for his holiness, his passion, and his defense of the faith. Nicholas was fearless in preaching against the many pagan gods that had spread throughout Europe due to the influence of the Roman Empire. He, along with many other Christians, were faithful even to the point of being persecuted, tortured, and jailed under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. It was not until Constantine came to power that persecution of the Christians ended (Parker). During his life, the stories of Nicholas’ miracles and charity spread widely and churches were constructed in his honor. These churches would act as a lasting contribution to the common good of society and to the Christian faith. Nicholas was held in such high esteem that many considered him a Saint, even though he was never canonized. His reputation exceeds himself and name has remained on the record of Saints to this day (Saint). December 6 is a day set aside in reverence to Saint Nicholas and the work that he did to better the world. He gave all of his possessions to those in need, and there are countless stories of the miracles he performed in the name of God. Nicholas’ humility, selflessness, and devotion to his faith are all admirable qualities worthy of
emulation. In today's society, there is a greater deficiency between of good than ever before. It is hard to turn on the news without seeing a new tragedy that has stricken our world. Crime, murder, and economic depression run rampant and there are few people fighting to heal our society. Often times I feel convicted to contribute to the common good but I get so caught up in my own selfish desires and feelings that my efforts would be too insignificant to matter that I do nothing. During the holidays, this is especially true as I, along with many others, fall victim to focusing on what I do not have or what I feel I need. By helping the world around me, I can bring into focus, as Nicholas did, the things that really matter like charity and goodwill. One way that I can contribute to the common good of society is through Christmas. Not by singing carols and spreading holiday cheer, though these are helpful, but by making small sacrifices. If I were to take one fifth of the amount of money my parents spend on presents for me and donate it to an organization, my portion may be small, but together with others, it could really make a difference in someone’s life. Two big organizations that hit close to home for all residents of Athens are UGA Miracle, which supports the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and UGA Hero’s, which supports children that are affected by AIDS and HIV. Though I do not participate directly in these organizations, I can change a child's life through my donation. It only takes $2.74 to put a child through Hero’s super hero program making it a prime example of how even the smallest contributions can help (UGA). Another place that I can donate money to is church. At home, my church has many active projects that change so many lives. Locally, West Cobb Church provides help to those in need around Kennesaw, Georgia and supports churches and mission work in New York City as well. In addition to local ministries, its work stretches to other countries, including hands on help in Eleuthera, Bahamas, in Belarus, and in Argentina. Contributing financially to an organization or a church makes a huge difference, but as a poor college student, contributing my time through volunteering is a more practical proposition. Volunteer work is often difficult to prioritize, but can make a tremendous difference in the community. UGA offers many great opportunities for change. One example is an organization called Shop With a Bulldawg. Athens-Clarke County is one of the poorest counties in the nation. During the Christmas holiday, many children go without receiving any gifts because their families are too poor. Shop With a Bulldawg starts by recruiting a pair of mentors who raise one hundred dollars to buy gifts for the child in need that they are supporting. Not only does this bring joy to a child, but it is also be free to me. All it takes is time spent with those less fortunate to make a difference. Volunteer work has the ability to meet needs and contribute to the common good of any community. Another way individuals can volunteer their time and their services is in mission work. Churches and schools offer local trips as well as trips worldwide. I have had the opportunity to be involved in programs like this and the difference I was able to make shocked me. During high school, I went on a mission trip to Peru. Though the trip was faith based, our work was more extensive. Not only did we share the gospel of Christ in schools, we also raised funds and brought suitcases full of supplies to the children and faculty of the schools. Even though these tangible donations changed lives, what truly made a difference was the time spent conversing and interacting with the Peruvian people. I also had the opportunity to do mission work in Eleuthera, Bahamas with my church. There, I was part of a team that constructed dorms, gazebos, and classrooms for the students of the island. The work was grueling, but I have never felt more gratification at the end of a day. Taking a week out of my summer to help build facilities for students who live without electricity and other basic necessities is a humbling experience and I would encourage anyone to participate in a similar project. During the holidays, people are more self-indulgent than any other time of the year. They forget the reason for the many traditions that we celebrate. The holiday of Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ and the tradition of gift giving by Santa Claus is a tribute to Saint Nicholas, a man of God who followed Christ’s call to help the poor and work for the common good. Learning about the life of Nicholas and reflecting on my own desired character has inspired me to be more selfless this holiday season and find ways to contribute to the common good of society.
The image enforces the meaning of Christmas being lost, and that the people need to be aware of this now sacrilegious, laic time. The source displays the change from sacred Australia, which was a time of religion, to a more secular period. The source presents the contemporary cultural values of Australians today, often disassociating themselves from holy, divine objects, places or people. Losing their sacred connectedness to God or their purpose with religion. Taking Christ out of the equation presents how Jesus has been neglected by those supposed Christians of the modern day, who have forgotten the sole meaning of Christmas and their religion. This image imposes a reinforced message through an image presenting secularism of contemporary Australian Christmas with the words “missing”, and “what Jesus has become”. The view of Source 3 displays that anything of great importance in the religious sense, including Jesus, in temporal culture which exists in Australia is lost.
Charles dickens classic novella “A Christmas Carol” endorses the notion that “Generosity involves more than the giving of money, it’s also about the giving of one's goodwill, compassion, sympathy, empathy and kindness. By taking his seemingly irredeemable protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge on a supernatural journey, Dickens’ intends to convey to all of society the importance of generosity. He proclaims that generosity of the spirit defines Christmas, and goes a large way towards defining true humanity for him as well.
What about other countries though? Is the Christmas season all about giving and receiving gifts? Are children in Spain rewarded by Santa with gifts and toys on Christmas Eve? In this essay we will look at what Christmas season means in Spain, and what traditions are prevalent in their culture. We will also look at the Christmas related traditions of Americans, and how those compare and contrast to those in Spain.
Is Santa truly a secular figure or is he a religious one? This has been a long-standing argument. However, instead of viewing Saint Nick as either secular or religious, it would be more beneficial to examine him as a figure consisting of both religious and secular elements. It is true that the contemporary Santa Claus may be more associated with secular concepts, such as consumerism, but it is also crucial to emphasize the origins of the jolly old man. He is the product of Western Christianization. It is thought that he was created from a combination of the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, a Christian saint, who was known for giving gifts, and the fictional character of Father Christmas from British folklore (CITE). Santa Claus can be viewed
Christmas has consumed itself. At its conception, it was a fine idea, and I imagine that at one point its execution worked very much as it was intended to. These days, however, its meaning has been perverted; its true purpose ignored and replaced with a purpose imagined by those who merely go through the motions, without actually knowing why they do so.
First off, he explains that nowadays Christmas is directly associated with commercialism and that people now feel as if they have to buy things for other people. Whether that be something they will use every day, something that they will throw in the back of their closet and forget about or something that they will just throw away. Not only do they buy the gifts, they buy wrapping paper, bows, cards, bags, tissue paper and many other unneeded things. Which is true, but there are many ways to get around the typical holiday gifts. Some families make things for their direct family members and some families just have a dinner and go their separate ways.
In 313, the Western Roman Empire issued the Edict of Milan that legalized Christianity and the empire became a patron of Christian churches. This started the explosion of Christianity. If it were not for the people who were brave enough to rebel against Paganism, other people and martyrs in the future may have never gained the courage to step away from their other beliefs, and Christianity could not be as prominent as it is today. It may seem a bit far-fetched, but I believe that accounts such as this story, are all smaller events that eventually lead to the legalization of Christianity and eventually the popularity that it upholds today. I think that we should be thankful for the selfless martyrs who suffered and died for Christianity.
It’s December of 1801 and the whole town is decorating, dancing, singing, and laughing as they get ready for a near holiday: Christmas. All but one pessimistic, obdurate cripple of a man. His name is Ebenezer Scrooge, an undermined old male swathed in dark clothing. He is typically found strolling the streets on Victorian London with poor posture, eyes locked on the cracked sidewalk beneath the soles of his shoes. Slumping along, carolers cease to sing near him and nobody speaks when in his presence. Scrooge is a prejudging business man who hurries to be left alone and disregards cheer. He is obdurate and blind to the consequences of his actions. Sudden wealth brings a snobbiness when his business partner dies, and as a result, his one true love divorces him, sending him into a state of hatred and regret. With this evidence to back it up, Scrooge can be perceived as a negative, crippling man with little tolerance to change. However, things are bound to change with the visitation of the wraiths: the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, an inevitable change that be...
Although Santa has become the main staple of the Christmas season it is important to remember the true reason for the season. Jesus’ birth is what December 25 began as until Saint Nicholas day merged with it. Even though the character that has developed and encountered extremely drastic changes, he has almost always been a giving generous figure in society. “Santa is ‘an invention of the advertising industry’ and ‘a representative of consumer society,’ according to Bonifatiuswerk der deutschen Katholiken [Boniface of German Catholics], which seeks to restore St. Nicholas to his proper place in the Christmas season” (Sweas).
Constantine’s conversion made him more tolerant of Christianity in Rome, allowing the Church to spread to other parts of his empire and to preach in public society. Constantine is praised as the emperor who made Christianity no longer anti-Roman. Had Constantine not converted and reformed Rome, the Church would have never been able to gain as much of a foothold in Rome and the West. His conversion ended the widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and greatly increased Christian power and influence in Rome. Additionally, his conversion contributed Roman law to the Catholic Heritage of the West, forming a basis of Western thought on law and justice. The time frame significant to Constantine and the Church stretches back to as early as Nero’s persecution in AD 64 all the way to after the death of Constantine in ca. AD 400, when paganism in Rome finally fell.
Constantine the Great, first Christian Emperor, originator of Constantinople, creator of the Byzantine Empire, military conqueror, and honored saint, has been labeled by many the most instrumental emperor of the Roman Empire. Constantine played a crucial role in the development of Europe during the Middle Ages, and founded Christianity as the formal religion of the Roman Empire. His dynamic yet effective predominance laid the infrastructure of European development. From his humble beginnings, to his command of the Roman Empire, to his final days, Constantine’s impact on world history and Christianity has left behind an unforgettable legacy. He was described by Eusebius as “such an emperor as all history records not.” Ware compared him to, “a watershed in the history of the Church.” Additionally, Meyendorff states, “No single human being in history has contributed to the conversion of so many to the Christian faith.” Norwich declared that “No ruler in all of history has ever more fully merited his title of ‘the Great’…Constantine has serious claim to be considered the most influential man in all of history.” Some of Constantine’s notable acts in the history of Christianity was his calling of the first Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, his institution of freedom for Christianity with the Edict of Milan, and the relocation of the capital of empire from Rome to Constantinople.
Christmas used to be a time when families gathered and love enclosed each member. Meals and stories were shared and times were simpler. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass were special times for families to sit back in a pew and remember the true meaning of Christmas as carols were sung in the high choirs. This serenity and peace seems to be a thing of the past. Now, people are drowning in the pressure that Christmas is all about presents, and that unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning is what this joyous occasion is centered around. Another misconceived thought is that Christmas has to be bought and given away in order to have a good time. In 2010, a stunning “4.8 million people [found] time on Christmas Day to go online and shop.” On the contrary, only “4.5 million people who attend an Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist or Pentecostal church,” was present in church on Christmas Day. The thought that shopping is more important than the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is appalling to Christians throughout the world.
Today it seems as though Christmas has fallen victim to materialism and commercialization. Rather than it being a time of loving and giving, it has become a stressful season of greed. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it is important for us to recognize the true reason of the season, and celebrate in a fashion that exemplifies that reason.
This time of year, we are supposed to be fueled by the spirit of Christmas. We are supposed to say, “Merry Christmas”, or “Happy Holidays” to everyone we meet. Truth be told, and we all know if for a fact, very rarely do we run into someone who really has the Spirit of Christmas.
Ah, to be a kid again. How wonderful it would be to relive the magic of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I have always been a kid at heart and a true lover of Christmas. But as we get older and we realize that Santa Claus and the North Pole were just stories our parents told us so we’d behave, Christmas starts to lose that magical feeling. No matter how much we might still love it, Christmastime just isn’t the same as when we were young. And at a time of all the aggravating shopping hustle and bustle, dents in the pockets, headaches, traffic jams and long lines, I begin to realize that God has sent me the most magical Christmas gift of all, a beautiful three year old whom I can relive Christmas in all over. Through my child’s eyes, I see myself each time his face lights up at the sight of Santa, and I feel his anticipation each morning as he faithfully opens up one more window on the Christmas calendar. Tonight, as we decorate the tree, I admiringly watched his tiny fingers delicately place each of the ornaments on all the same branches until they drooped to the floor. So proud of his work, I secretly placed some elsewhere, as to not hurt his feelings, and wondered how many times my own mother had done the same thing. And after a long day of shopping and excitement, I watched his eyelids begin to droop while lying underneath the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights.