SLAS Times Q2 2019-2020 SLAS Times: Fall 2019 | Page 41

by Myles Jacob Jin
D
espite being a Christian holi-
day, people of different faiths
and cultures from all around the
world celebrate Christmas. These
people celebrate Christmas be-
cause it has become a cultural
celebration more than a religious
celebration.
Based on advertisements and
decorations at malls, Christmas
appears to be a commercial-
ized celebration. Most children in
America and around the world are
excited for Christmas because of
the gifts Santa Clause will bring.
They also enjoy the songs, feasts
and treats associated with the hol-
iday. Most kids I know think about
everything else besides the birth
of Jesus when the topic of Christ-
mas comes up.
1800s. In the past, not many Chris-
tians celebrated it either because
According to the Pew Research it was not confirmed in the bible if
Center Survey, 46 percent of Christ was really born on Decem-
adults thinks Christmas is more ber 25th.
of a cultural holiday than a reli-
gious holiday. About 25 percent of Today, secular and non-religious
Americans are bothered by Christ- people around the world cele-
mas becoming more cultural rath- brate Christmas by shopping and
er than religious.
consuming. Movies, books and
products are sold highlighting fig-
“Christmas” originated with Ro- ures like Santa Clause, reindeer,
man Pagans. On that day, they and elves. Here in China, it is not
celebrated the birth of Mithra, the unusual to see malls decorated
god of the unconquerable sun. Mi- with western images of Christmas
thra’s birthday was within the time festivities.
of the holiday of Saturnalia, which
was celebrated to honor Saturn, Christmas contains many different
the god of agriculture. The holiday meanings. Anyone is free to inter-
on this day was later adopted by pret the celebration any way they
Christians, and popularized in the want.
Christmas is a Secular Holiday (And That’s OK)