According to the Pew Research Center, nine out of ten Americans say they celebrate Christmas. How they do so and what that means to each person individually is a different matter. [1]
Curiously, the usually reliable and authoritative History site appears to have struggled with the “History of Christmas” as a subject matter. Awkwardly balancing recitation of origin stories, structured prose closed with a section dedicated to the Charles Dickens “classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. Then on more comfortably to bullet points. [2,3,4]
Do you know the number of “real” Christmas trees sold here in the United States? That Christmas was “outlawed in Boston,” from 1659 to 1681? The story behind the story of when Rudolph became “the most famous reindeer of all.” [5]
And yet, even among those who would not otherwise associate themselves with a Christian connection to Christmas, “joy” is very much at the center of their view for marking this day. Surely no one need reference the footnote below for quick diversion to Merriam-Webster for understanding of that word. And we might further allow that articles on the pages of Saline Journal itself reflect the variety ways in which that is made manifest — from focus on family dinners to increased giving in support of those less fortunate. [6,7,8,9,10,11]
Remarkably, this was commonly found in numerous workplaces today. Gas stations, movie theaters, and, providing substance behind cliché, Chinese restaurants. As much as duty, in some cases, or simply drawing shift for December 25, this was joyful service. [12]
Whatever anyone is doing today, in large measure that is made possible, enjoyable, because our first responders showed up today, as always, “just in case.” Fire this morning in a Sterling Heights apartment complex serves as somber reminder that the need for them respects no holiday. [13,14]
A sampling of Twitter posts from our United States armed forces further show the good cheer and creative enthusiasm with which they reassure us of their presence on Christmas. Some time around the lunch hour, for example, the Army posted a video titled, “This is how Santa arrives to deliver presents to #USArmy #children.” Last night, the Air Force released a clever animation of its own, showing escorts to “Santa as he delivers toys throughout the world.” Our Navy was only slightly more serious with its offering. [15,16,17]
On this #ChristmasEve2018 and every day, our #USNavy Sailors are on watch to defend against the naughty to protect the nice. #MerryChristmas and #HappyHolidays!
On what may well be the lightest note of all, 20th Century Fox weighed-in last Tuesday on the perennial question of this day, “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” WXYT Detroit reminded its website readers that “Lead actor Bruce Willis attempted to put the argument to rest during his Comedy Central Roast earlier this year saying the film doesn’t qualify.” A newly cut trailer from the studio itself has strongly argued otherwise.
Pew has argued that “the role of religion in Christmas celebrations appears to be declining.” They cite findings that “46% of Americans say they celebrate Christmas as primarily a religious (rather than cultural) holiday, down from 51% who said this in 2013 ….” This begs the question, Would respondents’ answers have differed without the word ‘primarily’ in emphasis?
It is abundantly clear that many elements of society are necessary, collectively, to make Christmastime celebrations merry. And that is truly amazing.
Merry Christmas!
References
- “5 facts about Christmas in America” Michael Lipka and David Masci (December 18, 2017) Pew Research Center.
- “History of Christmas” (October 27, 2009) History.
- “How did A Christmas Carol come to be?” Lucinda Hawksley (December 22, 2017) BBC.
- “A Christmas Carol Summary” Spark Notes.
- “Writing ‘Rudolph’: The Original Red-Nosed Mainscript” Jessica Pupovac (December 25, 2013) NPR.
- “Story behind the song: ‘Joy to the World’” (December 17, 2015) The St Augustine Record.
- “Joy” Merriam-Webster.
- “Consider These Answers for Any of Your Christmas Mis-Givings” Janet Deaton (December 26, 2017) Saline Journal.
- “Where ‘Should’ The Boundaries Of Saline End When It Comes To Serving Those In Need? (No Cartography Needed)” Dell Deaton (August 15, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Twelfth Annual ‘1600 Toys for 1600 Girls and Boys’ Donation Drive Is Underway And Needs Your Support” Dell Deaton (November 7, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “If You’re A Business Or Individual Doing Better Than ‘Making Ends Meet,’ Consider Adding A Calendar Entry For November 27” Dell Deaton (November 15, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Nothing Is More American Than Chinese Food on Christmas” Lillian Li (December 25, 2018) The New York Times.
- “Remember September 11, 2001 – When Our First Responders Did What They Are Dedicated To Doing Everyday, As Always” Dell Deaton (September 11, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Firefighter injured in apartment building fire in Sterling Heights” (December 25, 2018) WXYZ Detroit.
- “This is how Santa arrives …” US Army (December 25, 2018) Twitter.
- “Roger Santa the skies are …” US Air Force (December 24, 2018) Twitter.
- “On this #ChristmasEve2018 and every …” US Navy (December 24, 2018) Twitter.
- “Die Hard (1988)” IMDb.
- “Bruce Willis” IMDb.
- “‘Die Hard’ trailer recut to look more like a Christmas film” (December 18, 2018) WXYZ Detroit.
- “Die Hard | The Greatest Christmas Story | 20th Century FOX” 20th Century Fox (December 18, 2018) YouTube.
