College Voice

Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: cagelcartoons

If you're not fascinated with holiday lights, wrapped up in gifts or good friends with Santa Claus then you probably know the true meaning of Christmas. It seems as though most of society has taken this holiday and changed it so drastically that its true meaning seems more distant than its beginning.

The origins of Christmas have become just that. How Americans celebrate this holiday has morphed with time. We have taken customs and traditions from all over the world and made them part of our own. To some, Christmas is a big part of their religion. To others it holds no religious significance. And to a rare few, it's about getting - anything and any way they can.

Christmas cheer has become overrated. And Santa Claus is the main culprit. The scandal isn't hard to uncover. Want to sit on his lap? Well you're going to have to pay.

Santa Claus takes all the glory as parents scramble to fulfill the empty promises he's made to millions of children. Now if that doesn't scream politician, I don't know what does. Breaking and entering is a crime, but not when Santa Claus does it. Bringing gifts made by innocent elves in a sweat shop somewhere in the North Pole makes it okay.

You think you're getting custom made toys from Santa and elves, only to find out they're coming from China and covered in poisonous lead. Santa Claus isn't the only one to blame. We've become Christmas zombies - re-gifting and over decorating.

Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays, but giving, the true meaning of Christmas, has escaped us. Every gift should be given with no expectation. Christmas can be about getting a Christmas tree, putting up decorations, gift wrapping presents, and Santa Claus, but it doesn't have to be all about that. The meaning behind Christmas, which is in many ways universal, should not be replaced. Christmas, whether you're religious or not, symbolizes love. Love for something or someone. It is a time of season for giving what you can, with no strings attached. Somewhere in our history that idea was lost. We've lost our true Christmas spirit.

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