The Tilt of the Earth’s Axis and the Mystique of the Seasons
Throughout human history, the changing seasons, driven by the Earth’s axial tilt, have captivated our attention and inspired cultural practices. Eva Knuts, a lecturer in ethnology at the University of Gothenburg, emphasizes that the cyclical nature of the seasons has always been a focal point for human societies. The church, she notes, has skillfully integrated its holidays into these pre-existing seasonal gatherings, further solidifying their significance. Christmas, in particular, has become deeply entwined with these seasonal rhythms, becoming a time of reflection, celebration, and the anticipation of miracles.
Christmas: A Culturally Charged Celebration
In the Christian tradition, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, a symbol of divine vulnerability and love. However, as Barbro Blehr, professor of ethnology at Stockholm University, points out, Christmas is much more than a religious holiday. It is the most culturally loaded annual celebration in the Western world, imbued with expectations of family gatherings, gift-giving, and the creation of shared memories. These expectations can generate both joy and pressure, creating a complex emotional landscape for individuals and families. The cultural weight of Christmas also suggests that even if the Christian celebration were to disappear, another tradition would likely emerge to fill the void created by the seasonal cycle.
The Inner Child and the Sensory Experience of Christmas
Christmas has a unique ability to evoke a sense of childlike wonder and nostalgia. The familiar rituals, decorations, and music tap into childhood memories, creating a powerful emotional connection. This ”infantilisation,” as Knuts calls it, is unavoidable, reaching deep into the hippocampus where childhood memories reside. Blehr emphasizes that the multi-sensory nature of Christmas rituals amplifies their impact, creating a lasting impression far more potent than any intellectual understanding. The combination of sensory engagement and personal memories makes Christmas a truly monumental experience.
The Evolving Role of Children in Christmas
While children now take center stage in Christmas celebrations, this wasn’t always the case. Until the late 19th century, Christmas was primarily a celebration for teenagers, often marked by pranks and costumes. Children were sometimes even frightened by these festivities. The shift towards a child-centered Christmas began only in the last 100 years, with the ”gullification” of the holiday, as Knuts describes it. The fearsome Yule Goat was replaced by the benevolent Santa Claus, and punishments were replaced by the promise of gifts. This transformation was partly driven by commercial interests, as the idea of Christmas as a children’s holiday proved to be a successful marketing strategy.
Christmas: A Holiday for Parents?
Although marketed as a children’s holiday, Christmas has arguably become a holiday primarily for parents. This can manifest in a desire to compensate for one’s own childhood experiences, to provide children with the idealized Christmas they never had, or to relive cherished memories from their own past. The intense focus on creating a perfect Christmas can become a source of stress and pressure for parents, adding another layer of complexity to this already emotionally charged holiday. The desire to be perceived as a good parent further fuels this dynamic.
The Commercialization and Excess of Modern Christmas
The modern Christmas experience is often characterized by a sense of structured activity and heightened expectations. From advent calendars to elaborate decorations and planned activities, the holiday can feel like a prescribed manual, offering comfort and control in an uncertain world. Knuts observes that this structured environment can be appealing to parents seeking order amidst the chaos of daily life. However, she also expresses concern about the increasing trend towards excess and competition, where lavish gifts and elaborate displays become the norm. This escalating pressure to provide the ”perfect” Christmas can overshadow the true meaning of the holiday and the importance of connection and love. Knuts emphasizes the importance of prioritizing meaningful experiences and creating lasting memories, especially for children, who remember these moments vividly long after they’ve faded from adult recollection. The spirit of Christmas, she suggests, should be about togetherness and love, not a race to outdo others in material displays.
