WebStamp December 17, 2016
Giving the Joy of Christmas
Many of today’s traditions celebrated during the holiday season were old traditions practiced during the winter solstice festivals of many religions. Canadian Christmas celebrations are a weave of French, British, American and pagan traditions that developed into a religious and secular celebration worldwide for all to enjoy.
Gift Giving stems way back to the roman times with emperors compelling their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia with the ritual of gift-giving expanding later to the general populace. Christians gave gifts to remember the gifts presented to the baby Jesus by the 3 wise-men.
Today the exchange of gifts evolved from the harsh economic times of the industrial revolution where the commercialization of gift giving began. Merchants began advertising the benefits of manufactured items as a more elaborate gift that couldn’t be made at home. Society at the time became more sensitive to the emotional needs of the children and Christmas was a way they could lavish attention and gifts on their children without seeming to spoil them.
The importance of charity and good will towards all mankind from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, showed the Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday with others less fortunate in mind.
Today we are in a new information revolution that has again twisted the economic balance where we find there are many more in need of assistance. Calgary benefits from many societies that help those in need during the holiday season. The Salvation Army have had collection kettles with santas since the 1890’s. They and many more organizations are in desperate need this year to help the many affected in these troubled times.
Helping out the many organizations to help those in need is a great way to help stimulate the local economy. Giving confidence to those that need a helping hand boosts their morale and can generate many positive effects in a recovery.
This holiday season be sure to get into the spirit by giving to those that have fallen on hard times. Helping your neighbour not only helps them, but also helps put you into the true spirit of Christmas. Let us not forgot to honour all those organizations and their volunteers who know how tobecome part of the Christmas Spirit by making sure everyone has a fabulous Christmas.
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