There is now just under a month until Christmas and shops are well stocked up for the coming spending spree.But do you think Christmas for the western world has become too commercial?
Has the power and influence of Christmas holiday now be destroyed by the development of capitalism?In the developed world it is such a commercial occasion, a commercial celebration that starts in early November or in some shops October. The shops fill up with goods that tempt you, and cause you to spend too much which will lead many thousands into debt. On average a family now spends seven hundred pounds on Christmas. An extraordinary amount of money just for a weeks worth of festivities.
C.S. Lewis made an ironic play on words between “Glory to God in the Highest” and “Glory to God in the High Street” which is the utter truth.Was Christmas not the occasion when a baby was born in a stable in Bethlehem, over two thousand years ago, with no home, as a refugee? There is no connection between the commercialism of our Christmas and the real simplicity of the story of the Birth of Jesus which is why we have Christmas.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, I love the presents, the food, the atmosphere, but surely in our modern world we have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas?
Agree/Disagree?
By: Hand87_5 - 27th November 2002 at 13:53
RE: Is Christmas Too Commercial?
I share you point of view Kev.
I remember my first trip in Japan late 89. I was there 2 weeks before Christmas and I noticed that the streets and the shops had Christmas orments as in Europe.
I asked to a native “Hey mate , as far as I know there is not many Christians in Japan , so tell me why this Christmas ornments ?”
And the guy said : ” Hey , just for business !!!”
By: wysiwyg - 27th November 2002 at 08:53
RE: Is Christmas Too Commercial?
Superb post Kev
By: kev35 - 26th November 2002 at 22:40
RE: Is Christmas Too Commercial?
Saab,
I think it all rather depends on your particular outlook. As an atheist I have absolutely no time for the religious sentiment. To me a Christmas carol is a good tune ruined. However, I do respect those who see Christmas in those terms. I see Christmas as a time to perhaps show my appreciation to loved ones for their love, their friendship and occasionally their tolerance. As for it being too commercial? Well those of us who are sensible realise we have only a finite amount of money to spend and ultimately it really is the thought (or lack of it) that goes into a gift that counts.
I’m 41 now but my most memorable Christmas present is still receiving a battered wristwatch case when I was about three. I opened it and it was stuffed full of threepenny bits and I thought it was all the money in the world. I soon learned different. I suppose it remains especially poignant as it was the last Christmas gift I was ever to receive from that person. So now, on Christmas night, I drink a glass of whisky in his memory.
Regards,
kev35
By: keltic - 26th November 2002 at 21:36
RE: Is Christmas Too Commercial?
Definitely, but it depends if we are able to control excessive consuption and give it the value which want it to give (familiar, religious….). It´s hard though not getting into this circle.
By: dcfly - 26th November 2002 at 21:08
RE: Is Christmas Too Commercial?
>There is now just under a month until Christmas and shops
>are well stocked up for the coming spending spree.But do you
>think Christmas for the western world has become too
>commercial?
>
In a word ……YES!!
Dave
[Marquee]perfection is a state of mind[Marquee]
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November 26, 2002 at 6:26 pm