Reflecting on how America’s secularized Christmas celebrations affect the Church, I’ve noticed a wonderful truth. We believe in Santa Claus and the Christmas Spirit. We are a believing people or, at least, we want to believe.
Whether through Santa or Christ, we want to believe in love, joy, and kindness to all. We yearn to be moral and good people.
Although repeated often and by many, potentially lessening its force, America, especially in the younger generations, is increasingly leaving Christianity behind and embracing secular culture. Only 49% of adults in their 30s and 40s profess belief in the biblical God, and only 43% of adults under 30 say the same. In younger groups, 80% of those ages 18 to 29 claim belief in some spiritual force.
Where Christianity has receded, agnosticism has grown. Some Americans can only accept a god who is not personal and does not affect us. Nevertheless, the same group of agnostics sing about a red suited man who sees you when you’re sleeping, knows when you’re awake, and knows if you’ve been bad or good. Even if we do not truly believe in Santa, we transmit important ideas to the children raised with this myth.
Through Santa, we teach children that evil exists, that good exists, and that the latter is preferable. We teach that good will be praised with gifts, and evil will be punished with coal. Disregarding the penalties, the teaching sounds similar to 1 Peter 2:14 where God institutes governments to “punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” Finally, although denouncing a personal god, we warn children of a red-suited overseer who cares about our conduct and rewards us accordingly.
Moreover, it is imperative that the people at large believe. There is no toleration or pluralism when it comes to Christmas. There are two groups: believers and grinches. In Elf, one of the most popular Christmas movies, Santa can only return home after his sleigh has been recharged with Christmas spirit, which is expressed through the carols of a city. In our movies and songs, love, charity, goodwill, and the red suited man championing these virtues are necessary. Even in secular celebrations, the imperative lies in embracing family and the human spirit rather than being a machine.
And yet, without the God of the Bible, it is difficult, if not impossible, to justify love, charity, and goodwill. Perhaps, to gain an advantage on peers, we should work endlessly through Christmas while everyone else is on vacation. Doing so would likely result in more hours than peers and possibly more money. Yet, such characters are the bad guys in every Christmas movie. Even a secular or postmodern audience that, in theory, should respect the endless pursuit of power and money denounces it sharply. Family and love of neighbor take precedence.
Although Christian groups have lamented the substitutions for Christ in Christmas, I think we ought also to recognize the driving force behind secular celebrations. As humans, we long to believe in something higher. Whether a bearded man in a red suit or God become man, our spirits yearn for meaning and a higher calling.
Something deep within us desires joy, peace, and love. These virtues are far preferable to the pursuits that could arise in a nation without God. This Christmas season, rather than lament, we should celebrate how Christian virtues have permeated our secular traditions. We should celebrate that we are, or at least desire to be, a people that believe in things greater than ourselves.
Comment by David on December 25, 2024 at 8:43 am
Christmas is essentially a pagan holiday. Many cultures celebrate the time near the winter solstice to mark the lengthening of daylight hours. The Romans had Saturnalia which included the giving of gifts, feasting, and the decoration of outdoor trees—sound familiar?
The Puritans would have none of this and had laws passed in England and colonies prohibiting the observance of Christmas. That in Massachusetts originated in 1659:
“For preventing disorders arising in several places within this jurisdiceon, by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countrys, to the great dishonnor of God & offence of others, it is therefore ordered … that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labour, feasting, or any other way, upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending shall pay for every such offence five shillings, as a fine to the county.”
Comment by Colin Ross on December 25, 2024 at 8:23 pm
It doesn’t sound like you talk to a lot of people who are atheists or agnostic…maybe you should
Comment by Cal on January 2, 2025 at 10:22 am
“Belief” is a double edged sword.
Belief is alive and well in the USA, in these manifestations:
– that men can become women and vice versa.
– that Trump won the 2020 election.
– that diversity/immigration is our strength.
On balance, I’d say that rationality and demonstrable, evidence-based thinking is better for society as a whole, while religious belief is helpful for personal morality.
Comment by Julia J on January 10, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Honestly a great article, another fantastic piece crafted by Mr Drumm. Keep it up