Every year, right on the start of November 1st, millions of Americans begin to take part in Christmas activities, like setting up decorations and starting their Christmas shopping. But what has increasingly changed over the years, is most people tend to skip over the whole reason why we celebrate Christmas. And as a result, the holiday has lost its original meaning over generations. 

 

The whole reason why the Europeans originally celebrated Christmas was to embrace the Christian culture, celebrate Jesus’ birth, and honor the beginning of winter solstice when the sun would begin to stay out longer each day until the summer season. But over time the holiday has been transformed into a celebration that smoothly transitions us into the winter months molded by cultural fusion. 

 

According to author Eva Saric, when Christianity spread quickly throughout Europe, the evergreen trees, plentiful feasts, and winter rituals were intertwined with the Christian celebration of Jesus’s birth, transforming the winter months into a season molded by cultural fusion. And no matter who or what these groups celebrated, all holidays equally treasured peace, the opportunity of new beginnings, charity, and gratitude.

 

Saric, in her writing, noticed that, somehow along the way, especially in the United States, these traditions rooted in peace were overshadowed by money. Christmas emphasized generosity, humility, and new beginnings. Yet, in modern American culture, these values have become steadily replaced with a hysteria of shopping, spending, and decorating that begins earlier and earlier each year.

 

Christmas has veered away from a season of reflection and moved towards a season of buying. The American fascination of materialism has taken over the true meaning of Christmas. People have become so obsessed with making the perfect wishlist or buying the perfect gift, they skip over all of the deep, important values of the Christmas season. 

 

And over time materialism has been normalized into the holiday, it’s all about the gifts. And I know everyone loves receiving gifts, but I think we should allow some room for the traditional values of Christmas to be a center part of this special holiday again, like they used to be. 

 

It is important for people to remember the reason why we celebrate this holiday.

 

Works Cited

Saric, Eva. "Christmas Has Lost Its Meaning." The Lance News, 19 Dec. 2025, thelancenews.com/19973/santas-scoop/christmas-has-lost-its-meaning/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.