Spirituality

What Went Wrong With Christmas

And what Santa has to do with it

Christmas, by its very nature, should be intended to be a religious and spiritual celebration. However, it has gradually evolved into a period that is synonymous with material consumption and buying gifts. How was such a change possible?

Santa Claus, by MidJourney

The Italian journalist Carlo Baroni, some time ago, presented an intriguing perspective on the contemporary understanding of Christmas among Europeans, particularly Italians. Titled “The Christmas That Fails to Amaze Us,” his article offers a compelling analysis of the evolving perception of Christmas in the modern era.
Baroni posits that the contemporary iteration of Christmas has undergone a transformation, losing its capacity to evoke a sense of astonishment. He asserts: “With the white flakes [namely the snow that has disappeared due to climate change], wonder and amazement have also disappeared”.

One might inquire as to the object of such “wonder” and “amazement.” The author mentions:

• “the lights”,
• “the glittering shop windows” and
• “the presents”.

Really?

Is one expected to have a life-changing realisation, or “metanoein” as the Greeks say…