Changes

In the United States, the image of Santa Claus and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Images created by the Coca-Cola company in the 1930s also played a role. In other countries, the depictions of Santa vary widely; in the Netherlands, for example, he is shown (correctly) as wearing a bishop's mitre.

In the United States, the image of Santa Claus and his reindeer has been shaped by Clement Moore's poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (with the famous opening line "'Twas the night before Christmas.") Images created by the Coca-Cola company in the 1930s also played a role. In other countries, the depictions of Santa vary widely; in the Netherlands, for example, he is shown (correctly) as wearing a bishop's mitre.

In the United States, during the twentieth century, gift-giving assumed a greater and greater role, and by mid-century had become of great commercial importance, to the point where some felt the religious aspects were becoming forgotten. As Stan Freberg put it<ref>in a recording, "Green Christmas"</ref> in 1958, "There are two S's in Christmas and they're ''both'' dollar signs." The single week before Christmas currently accounts for 25% to 30% of all retail sales. Meanwhile, the relatively unimportant Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which falls at about the same time, evolved to become a sort of Jewish counterpart to Christmas. In workplaces and public dialog, the two celebrations were referred to as "the holiday season."  

In the United States, during the twentieth century, gift-giving assumed a greater and greater role, and by mid-century had become of great commercial importance, to the point where some felt the religious aspects were becoming forgotten. As Stan Freberg put it<ref>in a recording, "Green Christmas"</ref> in 1958, "There are two S's in Christmas and they're ''both'' dollar signs." The single week before Christmas currently accounts for 25% to 30% of all retail sales. Meanwhile, Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday which falls at about the same time of year&mdash;and which had once been a relatively minor religious holiday&mdash;evolved to become a sort of Jewish counterpart to Christmas. In workplaces and public dialog, the two celebrations were referred to as "the holiday season."  

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. Bing Crosby, a devout Catholic, initially refused to sing ''White Christmas'' because of its having been written by a Jew and containing no explicitly religious content; he changed his mind; the song become his greatest hit.

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. Bing Crosby, a devout Catholic, initially refused to sing ''White Christmas'' because of its having been written by a Jew and containing no explicitly religious content; he changed his mind; the song become his greatest hit.