Old-Fashioned Christmas?

Most Americans have a romanticized view of Christmas celebrations fueled by Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Clement Clarke Moore's Twas The Night Before Christmas. We see Christmas as a time of universal joy and family accord, even if we know of instances when that does not happen. We wax eloquently about celebrating an "Old Fashioned" Christmas.

But, how old fashioned a celebration do we want to have? The Boston Globe ran a story last weekend reminding us all that our romantized, idealized view of Christmas did not always prevail. The story can be found at: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2009/12/20/christmas_was_a_riot/.

The author, Stephen Nissenbaum, reminds us that:
-- For about 25 years in the 17th century, the Puritans of Massachusetts banned any celebration of Christmas because, in part, there is no scriptural admonition for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
-- Boston minister, Cotton Mather, saw Christmas as merely being an excuse for dancing and drunkenness, chambering [sexual activities] and wantonness.
-- In the 18th century, gangs of men in disguise on Christmas Day roamed from house to house demanding money or alcohol at the threat of violence.
-- And, that the promotion of items to purchase to give to others as Christmas gifts can be dated to the early 19th century.

We may want a purer and more spiritual celebration of Christmas, but looking for an old-fashioned Christmas is not necessarily be the answer.

Merry Chistmas everyone!