Great Debate: Christmas!

1.

I think it’s true that the original reason for celebrating Christmas has been forgotten. With the build up to 25^th December happening earlier and earlier each year, the principal focus seems to revolve around the materialistic elements of Christmas rather than its origins.

As a non–Christian, I can say that each year I don’t find myself thinking about the religious reasons for celebrating Christmas – I no longer think of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ that we were taught when we were younger but perhaps I should.

Yet this is similar throughout the majority of society today.  We no longer live in a country where religion is the centre of everybody’s being and many people simply aren’t religious so maybe we can’t expect Christmas to be remembered in such a religiously–orientated way anymore.

But yes, nowadays I would agree that Christmas has very much become a commercialised event. It primarily seems to be about things like the cost of the presents, the size of the turkey and the tree, the crazy Christmas parties or the brilliance of the Christmas lights.

If you were to ask a child about what Christmas means to them they would most likely say ‘Santa’ or ‘presents’, the chances are that they wouldn’t place all that much importance on the Christian origins that they had been taught.

However, to say the whole meaning of Christmas is completely lost seems fairly pessimistic. Christmas hasn’t lost its meaning; it may have lost its original meaning for some but you can still find enjoyment in it.  Especially as it is one of the only times a year for some, when everyone can come together and celebrate with family and friends, which can offer a great deal of meaning to someone even if it isn’t a religious or historical one.

I feel that those who want to celebrate Christmas for its origins and traditions should be able to do so as equally as those who want to enjoy it for what it is: a magical celebration at a miserably cold time of the year.

2.

Christmas is really about celebrating the birth of Christ and being thankful for God’s love. It’s a time where people would open a door on an advent calendar (with pictures not chocolates), perhaps go and see a nativity play and attend midnight mass.

For me however, Christmas is that one time in a year where we would make the effort to all meet up as a family at Granny’s house. We would all have breakfast, pick a present from the pile and give it to the person it was for, watch The Snowman, have a Christmas roast, and listen to the Queen.

We aren’t religious, but we make the most of the bank holidays and the Christmas break and have quality time with the family.

The sad thing about Christmas is the commercialisation.  Guildford Christmas lights were turned on as early as the 24^th of November, which means for a month we are actively reminded about Christmas when we are in the town centre and therefore encouraged to spend money on presents.

Presents aren’t a bad thing, but buying them because everyone else does and buying lots and lots isn’t necessarily a good thing either, nor is wanting lots of presents and expecting lots, it should just be about giving.

But there is still hope. The John Lewis Christmas advert is a heart-melting tale of a child who is so desperately excited for Christmas and spends all December waiting for it. But on Christmas Day he wakes up, runs past his presents, and gives his parents the best gift they could ever want – with the biggest smile on his adorable face.  Now that’s Christmas; even if it costs £6million pounds to film!

3.

It depends. on one hand, the original meaning of yule was lost when the christians stole, and then ruined, the idea (replacing the 12 days of feasting, alcohol and general merriment with 12 days of praying, singing hyms, and general boredom). commercialism made it fun again, but has eroded the traditional christian view on christmas. Personally I say we should embrace christmas for what it really is – an excuse to get drunk, eat far too much, receive and give gifts, and spend time with the people you care about most. Oh, and if society as a whole ever cared, it certainly doesn’t any more.