Community Chat

[Northray]

I am currently doing a study on the origins of Christmas traditions in Europe and how because America was started and settled by Europeans - their traditions became ours.

You never disappoint!  

[Oznell]

Wow, @Northray ,  that is wonderful.  When you're done, I'd love to hear some of your insights and observations from doing this study.

How did you get interested and involved in it?   Something you've always been curious about and wanted to know more?   If and when you have time, would love to hear!

That's one of the many things I love about some of the posters on this board-- the true intellectual curiosity that you bring to the table, spurring interest among others as well.

[Northray]

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@Oznell wrote:

Wow, @Northray ,  that is wonderful.  When you're done, I'd love to hear some of your insights and observations from doing this study.

How did you get interested and involved in it?   Something you've always been curious about and wanted to know more?   If and when you have time, would love to hear!

That's one of the many things I love about some of the posters on this board-- the true intellectual curiosity that you bring to the table, spurring interest among others as well.

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Aw, that's so sweet that you are interested.  Yes, I have always been interested in historical events, the discovery of peoples and their cultures and so forth, all things historical really.  Calling it a study is too lofty a term, it's really just a paper I'm doing for extra credit.  And my niece was the impetus as she kept bugging me to watch The man who invented Christmas, about Dickens. 

I had already read how much he influenced what we think of as Christmas here in America and of course, that got me to thinking of the Christmas tree and Santa Claus whom some say is German but others claim was a Dutch notion first, while others still claim that he was a greek saint.  So yeah all very interesting to me.  There is no shortage of information on the net on the subject.  Easy grade, I hope.  

[Oznell]

Good for you for going after that extra credit, @Northray , especially on a subject in which you are already deeply interested.  The whole Dickens thing and Christmas is fascinating, and the German influence with the importance of the tree, etc.  

Historically, among the faithful (who are the essential core, presumably, of those celebrating the holiday) there's been that fascinating tension between those who reject the more boisterous, worldly observances (16th and 17th century Puritans and others) and those who embrace frivolity, and the more 'commercial' aspects.  That historical divergence is an ongoing struggle, for sure, continually playing out in modern life....  

So many interesting aspects! 

[Oznell]

P.S.   Coincidentally, hubby just came in recommending a short article in "Imprimis",  a periodical he gets.  It's called "American Christmas, American New Year",  by historian Christopher Flannery.  It traces the partial evolution of the celebration of Christmas, thru Dickens and how the ball got really rolling in America, writer Washington Irving's role, etc.   Don't know if "Imprimis" is also online, but if it is, the piece might be worth a quick glance...

[Northray]

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@Oznell wrote:

P.S.   Coincidentally, hubby just came in recommending a short article in "Imprimis",  a periodical he gets.  It's called "American Christmas, American New Year",  by historian Christopher Flannery.  It traces the partial evolution of the celebration of Christmas, thru Dickens and how the ball got really rolling in America, writer Washington Irving's role, etc.   Don't know if "Imprimis" is also online, but if it is, the piece might be worth a quick glance...

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So sorry Oznell, I somehow missed this post as I have been trying to shake a bad sinus attack and haven't been around.  This cold weather is legit horrible for my sinuses.

Thank you so much for the suggestion, I'll def look it up. 

PS: My favorite calling out on what Christmas is all about vs commercialism and random celebrating is the Charlie Brown special from the 70's. 

[Oznell]

Hope your sinuses improve, @Northray -- that can be so miserable.   Spot on about the Peanuts Chistmas special, and sweet little Linus's message to all!  

[Northray]

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@Oznell wrote:

Hope your sinuses improve, @Northray -- that can be so miserable.   Spot on about the Peanuts Chistmas special, and sweet little Linus's message to all!  

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Thanks!  Terrible timing, but I'm hanging in there!