How Christmas Has Changed Over Time

“What is the reason for the season?” I constantly hear family and friends use this saying to remind people that Jesus’ birth is why we celebrate Christmas. Although some people remember that Jesus came into the world on that day, most people have forgotten the true meaning. Thousands of Americans just look at Christmas as an opportunity to receive presents, shop, hang out with friends and family, or eat. Retailers just look at it as a way to make extra money. Few people see the real meaning. Our culture has gone so far as to say “Merry X-mas” or “Happy Holidays” just to take Christ out of Christmas and avoid offending anyone. The way Christmas has changed over the years is displayed by the change in history, current-day U.S.A, and my own life.

The day Mary gave birth to Jesus, God kept everything simplistic. Just two young parents and a couple animals celebrated the long awaited Messiah’s birth. I sometimes have trouble imagining that those humble beginnings have turned into the most commercialized Holiday in the world. For the first few hundred years after Jesus died no one ever celebrated Christmas. When people first observed Christmas, it quickly became mixed with pagan celebrations that had to do with the winter solstice. Now so many traditions have been intertwined into Christmas that many people do not even recognize the true purpose of it, or they ignore it. If we simplified Christmas until it was similar to the early celebrations, I think more people would see the true