How COVID has impacted the way we do things and even how we celebrate Christmas. In the past two years, COVID has changed how the Christian Community celebrates this holy and glorious Christmas day worldwide.
When we gather around the table no need to tell that something isn’t right. That’s so because someone might be missing in that family gathering. Families grieving for their loved ones could still remember where the person sat when he was alive.
Not to mention those who suffer from depression because of fear of the future. What about depression caused by loss of livelihoods, business closings, and general financial insecurity? This is the sad scenario COVID has made us celebrate Christmas these days.
What Christmas Was and What It Supposed to Be
Christmas preparations begin with Advent. It starts four weeks before Christmas. The holiday season ends on January 6, the Thirteenth Day after Christmas.
Christmas is a Christian holiday. Symbolically, it refers to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lived in Israel two thousand years ago. Typically, this day is designated as Christmas Day and observed every December 25.
Christians consider Christmas as one of the most important days of the year.
Nevertheless, some Eastern Orthodox Christians commemorate Christmas and the birth of Christ every January 7 and do observe it as a holiday.
Among non-Christians, however, Christmas is also considered a cultural holiday.
General Perception of Christmas
People interpret Christmas in different ways. How the world celebrates Christmas reveals how well they value and perceive this Holy Day. Unfortunately, some people celebrate Christmas without the celebrant of the occasion. These misconceptions can be attributed to many factors, such as age, tradition, religious background, etc.
The Germans' Contribution to Christmas Celebration—the Christmas Tree
Once Christianity became more widespread, Germans used Christmas trees for the first time. The British and American traditions regarding Christmas are well known. However, despite its cultural contribution to Christianity, the Germans had remained unknown for some time, notwithstanding its pagan roots.
According to a study, several German Christmas traditions have influenced the Christmas tree customs worldwide. Christmas trees were first used by Germans late in the middle ages.
- Mothers were traditionally responsible for decorating the tree
- On Christmas Eve, the tree is taken into the house
German Christmas celebrations have always revolved around Advent. And children have been counting down the days until Christmas since 1833 by lighting an advent wreath.
This special commemoration of the birth of Jesus, our Savior, and Lord, transcends human scope and understanding. His birth took place in Bethlehem, and He was born nowhere other than in a manger (signifying His simplistic nature).
How Age, Religion, and Tradition Can Shape the Way, We See Christmas
How I thought Christmas was all about feasting. Buying and giving gifts, new clothes and shoes, and other material things. A special day to eat rice (in my childhood, rice was not a regular food but reserved for special occasions).
And by the way, why not? A time to show off. Put on our new dresses and go to church, of course, with an ulterior motive to show off the attires our parents or guardians have bought for us. We also took note of those children whose parents couldn’t meet with the occasion—all the so-called Christmas activities revolved around material things.
How Transitioning into Adulthood Changed My View of Christmas
I will never forget the entertainment galore during these special Christmas periods. The church service was a centerpiece of the whole celebration. A church service could have been held the day before or earlier that same day, before anything else.
A community dance group paid reverence and homage to famous people by singing and dancing once a year.
During my grandmother’s lifetime, she would receive this group of dancers dressed in fancy dresses of different colors, backed by a group of drummers and singers. They will sing and dance for some hours until my grandmother gives them a gift, mostly some bottles of hot drinks.
Happy Christmas to the sick ones. To those who mourn their loved ones who left unceremoniously because of COVID. To those who, for one and other reasons, feel lonely and depressed, to all of you, I say Happy Christmas!