Why Is Christmas Queen Of Holidays?

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

In my humble opinion, Christmas reigns supreme because it appeals to the kid in everyone more than any of the others. Atheists celebrate it, Jews celebrate it. If you have an ounce of kindness in you, you like Christmas.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Everyone celebrates the festival of lights around the winter solstice. It's almost an instinctive need. Christmas probably has more pagan elements in it than any other holiday except Halloween, which is now the second most popular holiday of the year in the USA. There's something for everyone in Xmas.

More importantly, it's an economic feeding frenzy. If it weren't for the gift-giving and the spending and advertising that went with it, Christmas wouldn't be nearly as big a deal (it wasn't till well after the industrial revolution). Religiously, Easter's the most important holiday in the Christian tradition, but Easter doesn't generate the $$$.

That's why I have to scoff at those who decry the commercialization of Christmas. If it weren't for commercialization, there wouldn't be any Christmas.

 

[R. Richard]

More importantly, it's an economic feeding frenzy. If it weren't for the gift-giving and the spending and advertising that went with it, Christmas wouldn't be nearly as big a deal (it wasn't till well after the industrial revolution). Religiously, Easter's the most important holiday in the Christian tradition, but Easter doesn't generate the $$$.

That's why I have to scoff at those who decry the commercialization of Christmas. If it weren't for commercialization, there wouldn't be any Christmas.

Even in countries where Christianity isn't the major religion, it's still celebrated as a gift giving holiday.

 

[starrkers]

In my humble opinion, Christmas reigns supreme because it appeals to the kid in everyone more than any of the others. Atheists celebrate it, Jews celebrate it. If you have an ounce of kindness in you, you like Christmas.

It's the entry gate for the summer holidays.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

It's the entry gate for the summer holidays.

C'mon! You Ozzies are backwards and ass-over-teacup. Christmas in summer! No way!

 

[starrkers]

C'mon! You Ozzies are backwards and ass-over-teacup. Christmas in summer! No way!

Try roasting a turkey when it's 110 degrees outside... no one ever said we were sane!

 

[Boota]

I despise Christmas, but I really like the royalty check I get in March. I now have four kids who expect Christmas gifts, so I pay for them, my wife picks them out.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Australia is in the wrong place. Lets move it to a spot between Japan and California, a little north of Hawaii.

 

[starrkers]

Australia is in the wrong place. Lets move it to a spot between Japan and California, a little north of Hawaii.

Got a big enough winch?

 

[Katiecat]

The commercialism does take it over the top, and leads to people overbuying, overspending, and stressing out. I do like buying gifts for people I love, especially if I find something that I think they will really enjoy or that will really please them. But I hate the feeling of being overstretched, or that it's never enough -- and that doesn't come from the people I love, it definitely comes from the commercialism and the media.

dr_mabeuse made a very valid point -- having something to celebrate in the dark of winter is a very ancient tradition, and I agree it's something ingrained deep within us. Over the last few years, we've started observing the solstice, even if it's just burning a Yule log. I think we all need the encouragement that the sun is coming back and the days will get longer again. Think of all the people that suffer from SAD in the winter, when the skies are grey day after day...

But I think the reason that Christmas appeals to so many, from so many different faiths or even no faith at all, is the universal message of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men. Christmas is the perfect time to give food to the local food closet, or serve at the soup kitchen, or buy toys for kids whose parents are incarcerated, or serving overseas, or maybe their families are just struggling to make ends meet. Christmas reminds us how fortunate we are, and prompts us to share with others. And hopefully that spirit lasts -- like Scrooge, we can honor Christmas in our hearts, and try to keep it all the year.

Even if it's just an ideal, and it's hard to focus on that while you are blitzing your way through the shopping mall...it's a good thing. And who doesn't want Peace on Earth.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

KC

True. Christmas is maybe the one day we're allowed to abbreviate the vigil and loosen the grip a bit. Its a day to pretend that yin & yang are balanced and universal harmony exists.

Its a time when you can self-righteously complain to the manager when a clerk wishes you Merry Christmas.