Exploring Christmas : The True Meaning Of Christmas

Imagine a staged production of A Christmas Carol set in 1843. See the stage set in the exact time it was written by Charles Dickens. The foggy, crowded streets abuzz with carolers and shoppers, the children staring wide eyed into the shops and bakeries. Hear the bells ringing as a round of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” fills the gaslit streets with joy. As a child, going to see A Christmas Carol was one of my fondest Christmas memories. To witness Scrooge 's’ transformation from a mean, greedy old man to a joyous, loving benefactor always left me smiling and filled me with hope.

In this paper I will discuss Social Theories such as Structural Functionalism, Conflict theory; with emphasis on Karl Marx’s early work and how it relates to the conflict theory and Symbolic interaction. I intend to define and discuss relevant sociological terms of these theories and how these theories could apply to my favorite holiday which is Christmas.

"Father Christmas goes back in any event to the extent the seventeenth century in Britain, and pictures of him make due from that time, depicting him as an all-around fed whiskery man wearing a long, green, hide lined robe. He embodied the soul of optimism at Christmas" (Wikipedia-Santa). Additionally Christmas is the occasion to unite families for "Christmas traditions include: present giving and fun from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and philanthropy from the Roman New Year; and Yule logs and different sustenance from Germanic dining experiences." Christmas really is the occasion of giving and family

Christmas, the pinnacle of every holiday and the one day in the year where families gather around, exchange gifts, and honor the birth God's son. This would be the meaning of Christmas for most families but... my family's another story. You see, my cousins make a trip from Texas to North Dakota to visit us for Christmas every year. I know what you're

Christmas like Thanksgiving believe it or not, do happen to share many traits. One major factor that the two own is the warmth and love of bringing family and close friends together. It’s the few times a year that everyone has a reason to all gather around to

When most people think of December they tend to think about Christmas. It is supposed to be a time of everyone coming together, being joyful, and

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

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 As times changed in the 1800s’ of England, Christmas provided as an anchor to bring familiarity and joy into the lives of people. Christmas had become a festival based off of family and friendship, with charity towards others. Though deceiving, religion was not actually the strongest element of the holiday. Christmas began to develope this way, because of the Victorians stage, and the Medieval periods.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As many people sing throughout the season. All around the world there are many who look forward to celebrating their religion. But do we know the true meaning of Hanukkah and Christmas? Christmas is a christian holiday that celebrates the birth of jesus. Who they believe is the son of god. God sent him to come to serve and teach about his father and his religion. However, Hanukkah celebrates the eight candles that stand lit on the mendora for a whole eight days. Antiochus (a king) tried to take over Israel and force them to practice his religion. He destroyed all buildings and items that were to practice other religions. But a group of jewish soldiers fought back and won Israel. When going through the buildings they were shocked to see the candles on the menora still lit, and stayed lit for 8 days. They saw this as a sign of god. But, they do have things in common. Hanukkah and Christmas involve gift giving and other unique rituals. Both bring families together, promote goodwill,

“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,

Everyone has a favorite holiday, mine happens to be christmas. Christmas is not just fun and games, it has a lot of history behind it. For example, traditions, Christmas around the world, and Christmas in the past.

Today, Dec. 20th, 2015. It's almost here; Christmas is just around the corner, are you ready? December 25 has almost arrived, for the kids there is a lot of excitement, the gifts, the food, the fun, fantastic, exciting times like no other time of the year. Youth are making plans, some have trips planned, others parties that are exciting. For moms and dads the list goes on, where do we stop or how do we spread the list, they too are excited, even with all the bills and money that they saved on sales. Is this what Christmas is all about, the hustle and bustle, parties and pleasure? Many that are not Christians possibly will not draw a sober breath for days. Christmas has been turned into a day very unlike it's beginning. The very word Christmas

As aforementioned, the initial true meaning of Christmas is religion - one that has now been muchly downplayed. Of course at first glance religion is only an important element of Christmas for those who are actually religious, for which then religion plays the dominant role of what Christmas is to them. However, religion means to show obligation to something through faith, it could be argued that the majority of society is actually religious. We follow a society which has

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love seeing the shinny Christmas lights that decorates my street and the sound of fresh fallen snow on the ground. Christmas reminds me of family, the laughter and loved we shared, and the gifts we gave to each other. My house on Christmas became the center of my joy.