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Many of the customs we have come to associate with Christmas developed in Victorian England, notably the Christmas Tree (which originated in Germany and was introduced in England by Prince Albert). The concept of Christmas as a family-centered celebration and a time of generosity, good will, and friendliness to neighbors, was promoted and codified by Charles Dickens in ''A Christmas Carol.''  

Many of the customs we have come to associate with Christmas developed in Victorian England, notably the Christmas Tree (which originated in Germany and was introduced in England by Prince Albert). The concept of Christmas as a family-centered celebration and a time of generosity, good will, and friendliness to neighbors, was promoted and codified by Charles Dickens in ''A Christmas Carol.''  

In the United States, the image of Santa Claus (i.e. Saint Nicholas) 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.") In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in the Netherlands, Santa Claus is shown a bishop's mitre.

In the United States, the image of Santa Claus (i.e. Saint Nicholas) 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.") In other countries, the depiction of Santa vary widely. For instance, in the Netherlands, Santa Claus is shown in 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.  

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.  

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. In recent years, the celebration of Christmas has become part of the "culture wars." [[Fox News]] pundits [[John Gibson]] and [[Bill O'Reilly]] claim that Christmas has come under attack by "[[liberal]]s. Christian conservatives want an increased recognition of the religious core of the holiday and for maintaining a separation between Christmas and other holidays occuring at the same time of year. On the other hand [[liberal]]s would rather see it combined with other seasonal holidays.

The tension between religious and secularized Christmas has waxed and waned periodically over the years. In recent years, the celebration of Christmas has become part of the "culture wars." [[Fox News]] pundits [[John Gibson]] and [[Bill O'Reilly]] claim that Christmas has come under attack by "[[liberal]]s. Christian conservatives want an increased recognition of the religious core of the holiday and for maintaining a separation between Christmas and other holidays occuring at the same time of year. On the other hand [[liberal]]s would rather see it combined with other seasonal holidays.

Currently, the War on Christmas continues unabated. For instance, in Wikipedia, the topic of Christmas has been overrun by secular and pagan points of view. In Canada, secularists have recently removed a Christmas the from the lobby of a courthouse due to their anti-Christian bias.  

Currently, the War on Christmas continues unabated. For instance, in Wikipedia, the topic of Christmas has been overrun by secular and pagan points of view. In Canada, secularists have recently removed a Christmas tree from the lobby of a courthouse due to their multi-cultural bias.  

==Notes and references==

==Notes and references==

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