How has Christmas changed from when it was celebrated?

Answer 1

May I submit this poem I wrote which may give you some idea as to how most celebrate Christmas. I apologise for the capital letters.

CHRIST VERSUS SANTA

WHY HAS CHRIST BEEN LEFT OUT OF CHRISTMAS,
WHY IS HE LEFT OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
WHY HAS CHRIST BEEN LEFT OUT OF THIS SEASON
BY THE RICH, BY THE PROUD AND AT TIMES THE POOR.

IT IS NOT AS IF HE HAS HURT ANYONE,
HIS SACRIFICE PROVED YOU MIGHT BRING TO MIND.
WHY HAS CHRIST BEEN LEFT OUT OF CHRISTMAS,
BECAUSE Santa Claus IS MORE LOVING AND KIND.

I SEEM TO REMEMBER EACH CHRISTMAS
WE SANG OF CHRIST, IN CHURCHES ALL OVER TOWN.
NOW HE SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN,
THE CHRIST CHILD WRAPPED IN A SWADDLING GOWN.

WHAT HAS CHRIST DONE TO DESERVE THIS,
HOW EASILY WE HAVE FORGOTTEN
THAT KINGS AND SHEPHERDS DID PRAIZE HIM,
SENT TO EARTH AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN.

IT IS NOT ONLY HEATHENS THAT SHUN HIM
FOR MANY PROFESSED CHRISTIANS DO TO.
SO WHO IS TO BLAME FOR LEAVING OUT JESUS,
OH MY DEAR FRIENDS, I HOPE IT'S NOT YOU.

Answer 2

I can't go back any father, but over the past 50 years or so, Christmas has changed a lot. Years ago, right after Thanksgiving, it seemed like people went through a transformation to living the spirit of "peace on earth, good will toward men." It was truly a special time of year for that reason alone.

Another way it has changed is in all the fuss about whether or not saying "Merry Christmas" is acceptable. 50 years ago, no one would ever have thought that stores like Walmart would instruct their employees not to say "Merry Christmas" in order not to offend anyone, like they did a few years ago.

It has changed in public schools, too. While Christian songs like "Silent Night" and "Away in the Manger" were acceptable back then, now they are forbidden. The break kids get is no longer "Christmas break;" it is now "Winter Break" or something similar.

Another change is in the cost of the gifts kids ask for (and expect to receive) for Christmas. While kids back then would ask for one more expensive gift and a few less expensive ones, kids today ask for technological gifts that are costly.

And lastly, the commercialism of Christmas has grown to a point that it has just about become the main focus of the holiday season. Businesses capitalize on Christmas by putting Christmas items on the shelves before Halloween. Back years ago, it was unheard of to find anything in stores for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

The commercialism even extends to Christmas Day. 50 years ago, everything was closed on Christmas day. You couldn't even find a gasoline station open. Today, some stores, especially convenience stores, are open on Christmas.

I guess it could be said that the Christmas spirit of generosity and giving has been replaced by commercialism and "getting."