Christmas : Psychological And Sociological Perspectives

There are several Symbols associated with Christmas, Santa Claus, Snow or cold weather, Wreaths, garland , wrapping paper and a Christmas tree. Society does not look at Halloween costumes or a hot sunny day and think of Christmas, although when I noticed that some retailers have Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas décor out, it does not seem to mesh well. But retailers are showing society these symbols getting them thinking about what’s coming soon.

Mike Rauser’s article, “War on Christmas” product of spoiled attitudes, provides an introduction to help explain the contents learned in this class. His article has viewpoints that can be demonstrated by the four nodes of religion inquiry, and Ninian Smart’s six dimension of religion. His article acts as a springboard to show our understanding of the course materials.

There is no doubt that Christmas is a religious event but nowadays Christmas becomes more commercialized, as it has been defined as a high consumption season because the gifts giving culture becomes the most important part of Christmas and the consumers want to please their children

Christmas can have many meaning to different people depending on how they interpret it. However, if looking at the Christian aspect of it. The

To begin, the history of Christmas is peculiar and filled with factors that make it well-known all throughout the world. It’s history goes all the way back to 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Jesus was born in Bethlehem from a virgin whose name was Mary. In a stable, where shepherds visited, along with everyone who heard, a miracle happened and the holiday came to be. As time continued, Christians have been swept away from the celebration’s natural meaning, background, and origins.

We all know what Christmas is. At least I hope so. You may not celebrate it, but you know what it is. Some have Hanukkah and others have Kwanzaa. Hanukkah is for the Jews who celebrate the victory of the Maccabees over the larger Syrian army. While with Kwanzaa, people light a kinara and give gifts to each other. This takes place over seven days. Isn't that nice? Seven days of celebration! Christmas however… Is a single day. With Christmas, the children believe in a big, old, jolly man in a red suit called “Santa Clause”. On Christmas night he comes down your chimney, leaves presents and take the milk and cookies. For one thing, that's breaking and entering and for a second thing, he leaves unknown gifts?! You don't know whats in there! It

Christmas is an international holiday that is beloved by many. I, however, see Christmas for what it really is. It isn’t some festive love fest that celebrates the birth of Jesus; Christmas is an allusion. Christmas has pulled the wool over the eyes of many by presenting the temptation of gifts, therefore making them oblivious to the true meaning behind the holiday. Christmas has betrayed its lineage, it has lost sight of its purpose, and it is denouncing the powerful meanings and messages for future generations to come. This holiday has been around for centuries and over the years it has become a façade and has found a way to hide what it truly stands for.

The most popular rituals of Easter and Christmas are probably the most changed. Originally, Easter celebrated the resurrection of Christ, with Good Friday being a day of solemn reflection (Q1c). However, in today’s society, Easter has become more about the chocolate – Easter eggs and Easter bunnies have seemingly become common place in every household in contemporary Australia. Hot Cross Buns are big as well, with them being sold in every grocery store as soon as Christmas ends. In today’s society, Easter is celebrated by seemingly everyone, instead of just Christians, as it was in the past. Like Easter, Christmas has also become more secular, with the majority of Australians celebrating Christmas, even if they are from another faith group, or have no religion (Q1b). Social researcher Mark McCrindle writes that Christmas is unique in the Australian Calendar as it ‘simultaneouslygathers familiesandthebroadercommunityin celebration’ (Q1b). Often, religious citizens will celebrate Christmas by attending mass and praying, with 1 in 5 Australians ‘definitely’ attended a service (Q1b). Although, secular celebrations of Christmas have become more popular everywhere – these include Christmas trees and giving gifts. However, in more recent times, debate has occurred over whether Christmas should be celebrated in public places, for example,

I wonder why gift giving is so precious for Christians in the US that not only Christmas is a family event and Christmas shopping more of an important discussion that Christmas appears to be all about family traditions and less about the birth of Christ. Most of the Christians in the U.S. often like to discuss about wine, football, Disney, Star Wars, Star Trek and American movies during Christmas which is unfamiliar to one’s culture and values who is a non-American. It might be a cultural value for people in the west to discuss about “what they are doing for Christmas”; however, it seems Christians in the U.S. do not live out their values as believers of Christ but as Americans who have set themselves apart as people of the super power

The holidays have sprung upon us. There is a chill in the air. In some places, the ground covered with snow. It is a time where stores are filled with candy canes, Christmas trees, and chocolate Santas. When you look at storefronts there may be snowflakes in the windows, or Christmas trees in your local malls. Christmas, it seems so magical to most, it’s the holiday most know. However, there are some who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza, or they just belong to a different culture and their holidays are filled with their own traditions. For some, December is not marked by going to a tree filled the parking lot, inhaling that pleasant smell of pine, while searching for the perfect tree. Instead, their December starts with a tradition not as widely

The word “Christmas” comes from Cristes Maesse, a Middle English phrase that means “Christ’s Mass”. Back in the Middle Ages, Christmas

The average population of the United States develops themselves on the basic understanding that Christmas is the same recognition around the world. On December 25th, people open gifts, eat a hearty meal, and usually attend some type of religious ceremony. However, the population may be surprised to find that their just perception is wrong. Greenland, Jamaica, Zambia have many traditions that recognize Christmas.

“One concern about Christmas comes from Christians who fear that the spiritual meanings of the season get lost in the midst of so many cultural symbols and activities” (Forbes, 2007, p. 1905). My number one concern has been and will continue to be the lack of spirituality and focus on Christ during the season, however,

She couldn’t stand the crowd she had just come out from, especially because of the disgusting, sticky, humidity. To her, it was like a sauna and she hated the sauna. On top of that, she despised the way people pushed one another, hurt one another and fought over a product. It was as if they were wild animals in a tropical jungle, ferociously racing for the scarce food. Christmas had become a publicity opportunity for every store and the people victims of the publicity. In these modern days, the only thing that worried everyone were the gifts. “Is he going to like me for it?”, all the women wondered and “Maybe she’ll forgive me like this”, all the men thought as they were buying. And the shopping centers became a disgusting, humid jungle.

“I do not doubt that the population of people who are not Christian but still celebrate Christmas has some positive intentions. ….While my family still does these things, most all of us understand that the birth of Christ is exponentially more important than what the media has tried to sell “Christmas”as”.