Black Friday, retailers promoting their products and dissatisfied persons who exchange gifts for money. Is that the Christmas people are enjoying?
Responses (3)
That's a tired cliche. People are celebrating Christmas just fine. The public changes with the times and if it feels too commercial at the malls they stay home and order online. That way of shopping has increased
dramatically and there are stores every year going out of business because of it and the rest frantically compensate with all kinds of things to lure the shppers back. Locally a dept store franchise will be open 24 hrs a day today thru Sunday. Thats never been done before. The shopping continues. People have not reverted to making fudge and quilting as gifts they are still buying only more and more are doing it from their computers.
Christmas has always been commercialized. The holiday was mostly ignored until Coca Cola invented Santa Claus to sell Coke in winter time. Almost all our traditions came from movies of the 40s and 50s, especially Bing Crosby movies. And if you look closely you will realize that they are mostly winter songs and traditions, not specifically related to Christmas.
The modern holiday is just Lightmas, and classical tunes have taken over because people are tired of the 70 to 80 yo carols, and even tireder of the gag versions.
I'm old, so I've seen the holiday become more commercialized each year. Especially now with online shopping. A question could be asked: if Jesus returned to the earth today, what would he think about the rank commercialism of Christmas.
If we take a look at the way he was outraged by the money changers and vendors who were taking advantage of the Jewish religious festival to make money, we could clearly see that he did not approve of mixing commerce with religion. Those who follow Jesus would feel as he does.
Christmas will alway be enjoyed by many. But, working in a trauma center for years has shown me the other side of the holidays. Many are lonely, depressed, and suicidal. Many families get together and fight and at times, sorry to say kill one another. So, joy, is a very much an individual thing.