Christmas: An Old Tradition or Big Business for the Industry (Research Paper Sample)

CHRISTMAS: AN OLD TRADITION OR A BIG BUSINESS FOR THE INDUSTRY
At the end of each year comes the day Christmas on the calendar. However, in the
modern world the true meaning of this day perhaps has been distorted by how people conduct themselves in their festivities. This according to Alexander Andrew," The period sees a rush of the secular world into consumption. Our foundation of faith has disappeared and it actually reflects to the deepness of a national ritual. Christmas is not taken as a day to understand our world by looking through it and into others but embossing it in our vision status," confirming indeed the fact that modernity does not value the truth in respecting the biblical meaning of Christmas. David Bruce in his book says that the influx of missionaries in various regions across the Europe region led to the spread of Christianity. However, the author calls this a snowball which later changed size and shape because Christianity did not move with Christmas which is seen in the modern world today. Therefore, anyone following Bruce’s argument will get to find that the tradition way of celebrating Christmas was quite appealing. He suggests for instance, "Germans had a wooden frame upon which families placed evergreen plants, candy, fruits and other gifts not only to celebrate Christmas but also looking into the affairs of other people within their areas regarding their well-being," which presents the traditional celebration as a way of portraying common good despite the magnitude carried with the name Christmas.[Alexander Andrew, "Christmas holds a mirror to modern society." (2013, December 24).Oxford Royale Academy. Retrieved from -royale.co.uk/articles/christmas-modern-values.html] [David Bruce, Christmas: A Candid History(London: University of California Press,2007) 13-14]
Christmas in the traditional setup can be said as ‘old fashioned’ in the modern world
We can actually see this not true more so because of the common good aspect rooted in the German culture which also brought in unity across homesteads in the festive period. Furthermore the author even brings in the aspect of the populace who used ‘miracle plays’ to educate Christians who could not read during the medieval era. The plays became so popular to an extent of being dramatized by travelling troupes which came during the winter period on December 24. In the modern world there is no match difference in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ but a gap arises at a certain point. This point of non-convergence mostly in the modern period sees that Christmas is basically a time for making merry. Up to this extent comes an aspect on whether Christmas is a big business for the industry. Many researchers have tried to dwell into this matter to see whether there is booming business behind all the festive season. One will hear of advertisements for hotel bookings and places to buy Christmas gifts at a much cheaper price than the normal cost of goods and services.
According to Karal Ann, "It is hard to visit a mall or read a newspaper after first of
November without seeing signs of a massive Christmas industry." The author centered her argument basing on the American way of celebrating the festive season. Sales of cards together with wrappings of gifts are in full. Lighting and decoration across each business place provides clear evidence that Christmas is around the corner. To this extent the author says that indeed the American way of celebrating Christmas has been secular instead of upholding its sacredness. The first business attention is seen to be in the Christmas greenery. Churches, schools and private homes make an early booking for decoration yet despite of economic depressions causing panic and business, the writer says you will actually find one coming out as a triumph entrepreneur. In addition, Julia Bickerstaff says that growing up as a child she knew Christmas as being, "steeped in wintry English tradition of mulled wine, Christmas pudding, mince pies and mostly the big day’s cake.”She actually remembers how her granny was the favorite in baking the cake for the day.[Karal Ann Marling, Merry Christmas! Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday(United States: Harvard University Press,2000)44] [Julia Bickerstaff, How to Bake a Business: Recipes and Advice to Turn Your Small Enterprise(Australia :Mc Pherson Printing Group,2009)183-184]
The writer comes to a point of even admitting that she dedicated the baking work to