Changes

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a pine tree (Christmas tree) in their house, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as the greatest gift of all.

In Western countries, during the Christmas season people generally hang up colored lights, place a pine tree (Christmas tree) in their house, sing carols, and exchange gifts. Gift-giving commemorates the gifts given to the Christ child by the Magi, and is symbolic of the fact that Jesus came as the greatest gift of all.

The status of Christmas has varied over the years. Christmas is a relatively unimportant holiday in the Christian liturgy (less important, for example, than the Feast of the Epiphany). Early Protestants, including the Puritans who settled in Plymouth, denounced it as Papist. 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). Charles Dickens' ''A Christmas Carol'' codified Christmas as a time of generosity, good will, and family closeness.

Christmas has had a long and complex history. Christmas is a relatively unimportant holiday in the Christian liturgy (less important, for example, than the Feast of the Epiphany). It is usually assumed that the historical Jesus was born in the Spring. The Catholic Church may have set a date near the date of the Winter Solstice in order to draw parishioners away from licentious pagan festivals occuring at about the same time of year. Early Protestants, including the Puritans who settled in Plymouth, did not celebrate Christmas, which they denounced as Papist.  

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. 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." 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."  

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.

Fox News pundits John Gibson and Bill O'Reilly claim that Christmas has come under attack by "liberals."

Fox News pundits John Gibson and Bill O'Reilly claim that Christmas has come under attack by "liberals."