Editor,
Well, it's that time of year again.
Time for bustling crowds in the malls, standing in long lines at the checkouts and shopping all day looking for that perfect gift. Ah, yes, the holiday season will soon be approaching.
Within the next few days, it is certain that everywhere I look I will see Christmas trees, decorations of Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and of course, the star of the show, Santa Claus. Hardly anywhere will I see decorations of Jesus, who is the whole reason why Christmas even exists.
That is why I believe our society has a distorted meaning of Christmas. According to our society, the meaning of Christmas is nothing but hopes for materialistic things and celebrations of imaginary characters. It seems that our society - and particularly our youth - believe this is what Christmas is all about.
I have been to numerous homes within the past few years during the holiday season, and nowhere in sight among the Santa Claus and snowmen decorations do I see a nativity scene. I ask the children in that home if they are excited about Christmas, and all they mention are presents and Santa Claus. It is amazing how many children know about Santa Claus, but have absolutely no idea about the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. Our society has made Santa Claus an important figure - even as I typed this letter, my spelling checker was correcting me for not capitalizing Santa Claus.
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Of course, there are those who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by attending church that day, putting up nativity scenes in their homes and front yards and by sharing the story of the birth of Jesus Christ with their loved ones on Christmas morning. People like this are indeed celebrating the true meaning of Christmas by commemorating the birth of Jesus.
The sad thing is that these people are few and far between. I am not trying to come off as a Scrooge. I myself once believed in Santa Claus, and I enjoy the holiday season. In fact, it is my favorite time of year.
I'm just saying that our society needs to really celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season by putting Christ back in Christmas.
Desiree Vallez
UNM student
