CHRISTMAS

December 25th rolls around every year and the celebration kicks into high gear – presents are torn open, a massive feast is prepared, and families gather to enjoy each other’s company. The cycle is predictable: we shop, we wrap, we travel, we get burned out and need a few days to recover. At some point, we inevitably ask, “Why do we get so worked up about Christmas?” Historically, a long line of festivals have occurred during that time of year and, after the promotion of Christianityto state religion by the Roman Emperor Constantine in 312 AD, the stage was set for Christmas to become the primary holiday for much of the Western world. In the early days of the faith, adherents often took advantage of large pagan holidays to celebrate important events of their own. When the Edict of Milan officially carried out Constantine’s orders, what had once been a vast public carnival to honor the Winter Solstice transformed into a way to commemorate Jesus’ birth. As the influence of the Catholic Church expanded following the fall of Rome, Christmas took on new traditions. Unique cultural customs developed from the foundation of celebrating Jesus’ arrival, giving us well-recognized decorations like the Christmas tree and boughs of holly. No custom changed the holiday more than the act of presenting a loved one with a gift. Over the years, what began in the Middle Ages as a way to replicate the offerings made by the Three Wise Men became the central focus for many families. During the Victorian era and into the early 20th century, families began to be more expressive in what they decided to give each other. The British, during the late-1800s, created elaborate games built around everyone finding this special present. Parents would wrap the gifts and hide them in the house, then string colorful pieces of yarn through the house back to a starting point from which the children would begin the hunt. This crossed over to the United States to some extent, but it was nowhere near as popular as the idea of Father Christmas – who would gain some weight and be renamed Santa Claus when he arrived in America. In the post-World War II period, the Jolly Old Elf would grow as a non-religious symbol of generosity in the minds of many cultures. Fueled by the strength of a massive marketing push, the emphasis of Christian origins diminished for the sake of consumer activity. The fun of shopping and socializing became more important, leading many to believe the most extravagant gifts are best. Recent times have seen the beginnings of a public backlash, though. Tired of the hassle associated with hours waiting in lines at crowded malls, people are beginning to reclaim the spirit of hope, joy, and togetherness. What was once a celebration of buying power is now an opportunity to gather with friends and family baking cookies, enjoying a delicious meal, or singing carols. Instead of spending excessive amounts of money on lavish presents, they are donating time and money to worthy charities as a way to spread kindness. Whatever you decide to do, take time to be merry and enjoy the company of those you care about most. It may not be the exact reason for the season, but there is nothing better than celebrating the mutual affection you have.