Expert Tips On How To Write A Christmas Essay

Christmas is a Christian holiday that falls on December 25. On this holiday, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the long-awaited Messiah. According to the traditional Christmas story, Jesus was born to a virgin, Mary, in the town of Bethlehem. Mary and her husband, Joseph, were living in Nazareth at the time, but they had been summoned to Bethlehem for a census. There were no rooms at the inn, so they spent the night in a stable, where Jesus is said to have been born in a manger. He was visited by shepherds, who were alerted to his birth by angels, as well as three magi from the East, who followed a star that settled over Bethlehem, signaling the birth of the Messiah.

Technically, Christmas only lasts for one day, but both the religious and the secular communities, the holiday lasts much longer. For the four weeks before Christmas, Christians celebrate Advent, a liturgical season that is dedicated to the anticipation of the coming of Christ. The religious celebration of Christmas extends beyond December 25 to the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, when the three magi are said to arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for Jesus. Similarly, for the secular community in the United States, the Christmas season generally lasts from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

Although Christmas itself is rooted strongly in the Christmas faith, there are a wide range of holiday traditions celebrated throughout the Christmas season, many of which are openly embraced by non-Christians. Putting up decorations is one of the most common Christmas traditions. Many people put up Christmas lights, nativity scenes, and a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments and tinesel. Another ubiquitous Christmas tradition is gift-giving. Christians and non-Christians alike view Christmas as an opportunity to exchange presents with family and friends. In the lead-up to Christmas, wrapped packages are placed around the Christmas tree, contributing to the overall atmosphere of excitement and expectation in the run-up to the holiday.

For children in the United States, gift-giving at Christmastime is largely symbolized by the figure of Santa Claus. Growing up, children are introduced to Santa Claus as a jolly figure in a red suit who travels around the world to deliver Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve, borne by a sleigh led by flying reindeer. Santa Claus is based on the religious figure of Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop from modern-day Turkey who died in 343 AD,1 but the figure of Santa Claus has been modernized and secularized. Today, belief in Santa Claus is the theme of many popular Christmas-themed shows and films, including Miracle on 34th Street and The Polar Express.

Because Christmas can easily be characterized as both a secular and a non-secular holiday, businesses around the United States have capitalized on the moneymaking opportunities presented by the Christmas season. In fact, spending in the two months leading up to Christmas are considered by some to be a barometer of economic health, since they signal how much Americans are willing to spend on holiday frivolities. The holiday season is typically the busiest season of the year for retail sales, which were estimated to reach at least $682 billion in 2017 alone.2 In recent years, Christmas shopping on the internet has become particularly popular, with online retail sales rising by 18 percent between 2016 and 2017.2

Another increasingly commercialized aspect of the Christmas season is the music. While traditional Christmas carols reference the religious aspects of Christmas and date back hundreds of years, many modern artists release Christmas albums, which typically include a mix of well-known classics and original, Christmas-themed songs. Among Americans, the value of Christmas music can be a subject of intense (but generally lighthearted) controversy. While some people groan when they start to hear Christmas music in stores around Thanksgiving, others cherish the opportunity to embrace the celebration of Christmas by listening to Christmas music from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, not just on December 25.

Known for its magical, spirited sense of pomp and color, Christmas is a day everyone looks up to every year. Imagine having to wait for more than 300 days to celebrate a holiday! With the coming of the coronavirus, however, many things are set to change.

There will be a reduced number of gatherings, unlike before. Initially, Christmas was a time when families and friends would converge and have fun together. However, the COVID-19 restrictions on social distancing have set to limit these numbers. You might be forced to celebrate with your family alone.

Gifts and extravagant spending will be on the go-slow. Coronavirus has adversely affected the economy of the whole world. Millions of people have lost their jobs. Families are still trying to get back on their feet. Therefore, the little resources available will go to the most urgent needs.

Tours and travels may suffer a significant blow. Holidays present the best opportunity for people to go sight-seeing, mountain climbing, exploration, or watching wild animals. The COVID-19 situation in most countries is yet to normalize. With this, it would be difficult for tourists to travel anywhere during the Christmas celebrations.

In a nutshell, it is not all gloom and despair. You can still enjoy the company of your family and in your country. Let the spirit of Christmas cheer you up after a whole year of lockdowns and restrictions!