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| Big Spring Park Huntsville, Al |
Christmas is one the most festive, materialistic and holy holidays of the year. Throughout the years, I’ve come to
understand that the meaning of Christmas transcends verbal, written and audible
definitions. I would postulate that Christmas is an entity that has become part
of our social DNA. This day has transformed into much more than just a
collection of religious events. This is evident by the fact that it is celebrated by many
non-Christian groups. December 25, has become known synonymously as the day
when people are more generous and family oriented. I am not suggesting that
this holiday does not offer a social benefit to mankind, because it does. This
holiday offers unity to and for its participants. It is spiritual fuel for the
religious while offering monetary rewards to a capitalistic society.
There are many people who have
propagated the myth that the holidays are a catalyst for an increase in
suicides. It should be noted that many “studies in different Western countries
have found the drop [in suicides to be]… more pronounced during the Christmas
to New Year’s stretch” (Ballas, 2009) . So while it is
true, there will be individuals who will experience new empty roles in their
family units during the holiday season, a large number of these people have
learned to adapt. The resilience of the American family continues to be the
staple for this ever-expanding culture. The holiday season, especially
Christmas and Thanksgiving, has become the symbol of social assimilation and
individuals who refuse to worship these “holy days,” can easily find themselves
socially banished.
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| Christmas Tree Trail Huntsville, Al. |
There is nothing in Western culture
that has a solid “black and white” meaning; instead everything can be defined
and faded shades of “grays”. The holiday season has no exemption, for they are much
more than a dichotomy of sad and happy times. This is the time when Christians
and non-Christians go out of their way to do good deeds. It is in these times
that people are more likely to volunteer to help the homeless, to lend money
into accept forgiveness from others. Some people have speculated that people
are happier because they “spend more time interacting with other friends and
family on these holidays” (Killingsworth, 2012) . I think that there’s
merit in that argument however I would postulate that the Christmas holiday
season has been embedded in our DNA through years of repetitious rituals.
This is evident in the fact that many individuals, no matter
how old, can always remember at least three passed Christmases. Even though,
they may not be able to remember what the tooth fairy replaced their first
tooth with or the first day of school. This is because the Christmas holidays have
been branded in their minds as well as a subliminal message of capitalism. The
term “Black Friday” has little meaning in communist societies however there are
few Westerners who are not aware of this grand shopping day. I would further suggest
that if there were no merchandise to sell the Christmas season will lose a lot
of its attraction.
Christmas is the time of the year when Christians, who mostly
believe that lying is wrong, decide that for this one day lying to their
children is okay. It is a lie that even national and local media are more than
willing to participate in. It is a time when members of anti-pedophile communities
are willing to let their children sit on the laps of disguised older man,
without asking for a background check. Yes, Christmas and the holiday season is
a time of year when burglars and con artists prey own the goodwill of all
mankind. The time of year when reason is thrown out the window, where credit
cards are maxed out in the hope that under the tree eternal happiness will on
Christmas day, be discovered.
Ballas, C. (2009, January 07). Suicide Rates and
the Holidays. Retrieved from Health Central:
http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/49/54818/suicide-holidays
Killingsworth, M. (2012, December 23rd). We Aren't
Happier on the Holidays. Retrieved from The New Your Times; The Opinion
Pages:
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/23/why-arent-people-happier-during-the-holidays/we-are-happier-on-the-holidays
