Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love hearing people say “Merry Christmas.” It warms my heart and reminds me of the history behind this wonderful time of year. The Christmas season takes me back to a time of caring and love that to me is lost in our society for 10 months out of the year but for the holiday season people forget the selfishness that chokes our society and breathes easy for two months, giving gifts and holding family festivities that are not easily forgotten.
This time of year, I believe that everyone, no matter what beliefs they hold, becomes a little more Christian because, whether they realize it, they are surrounding themselves with Christian symbols and celebrating a Christian holiday.
The United States was founded as a Christian country while also being open to all ways of life. And Christmas is a holiday we all look forward to, not only for the generous act of giving, but the uplifting feeling we get from the lights and merriment around us.
The lights and candles were a large cause of the merriment dating back to the early days of Christianity. According to www.christmasdecorations.com, the legend goes that in a village in Austria was hit hard by war and famine. During this time, a Christian cobbler and his wife put a candle in their window every night to let passersby know that they could receive shelter and nourishment if they were in need. The cobbler and his wife never suffered from the same misfortunes as the rest of the village. The story goes that the rest of the town noticed and decided on Christmas Eve to try the same and before the sun rose the next morning, word came to the village that peace had come. Christ had brought their merriment.
Christmas trees, however, started in Egypt according to www.BCculture.com to celebrate the winter solstice and their god, Ra. They believed that winter happened when he became sick and weak, so they brought in an evergreen for encouragement and support.
This transferred to Christianity like many other ancient rituals. Legend has it that St. Boniface used the triangular shape of the Christmas tree as a symbol of god, according to www.Christmastreehistory.com. By the 1700s, Christmas trees were being used throughout Germany and were brought to the US by Christian immigrants during the early days of our history. These trees represent the life brought to you by Christ.
With all this history in the memory of Christ, I don’t see how we could call Christmas anything else. It’s true that it is a holiday and saying “Happy Holidays’” works, but Christmas is named after Christ and all modern rituals around it are based in this religious belief. “Merry Christmas” is a combination of two words: Merry and Christmas.
“Merry” represents the merriment we feel when surrounded by our friends family, the Christmas tree (representing Christ), and the candles used to guide people to the open arms of Christians willing to open their homes to friends family and passersby.
Christmas represents the Mass of Christ or the church service held on this day. The whole reason we call it Christmas is because this is the day Christians have dedicated to their lord’s birth.
If you choose not to say “Merry Christmas,” why celebrate at all? It is a great excuse for a huge meal with friends and family. But obviously, Americans don’t need an excuse to eat a lot! Whether you like it or not if you are celebrating Christmas you are celebrating Christ.
So why not be merry? Merry Christmas to all!
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared.
