Do you know what does Christmas really mean? According to James, C. (2000) Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), so people had it at Midnight! So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas.
Christmas is now celebrated by people around the world, whether they are Christians or not. It's a time when family and friends come together and remember the good things they have. People, and especially children, also like Christmas as it's a time when you give and receive presents! Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to “spoil” them.
According to the History, (2020) as Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards and gift-giving.
Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.
Just like in the story entitled “A Christmas Story” by Walter Dean Myers illustrates how different society could get along by giving a real love and care about each other. Walter Dean Myers “A Christmas Story” reveals something about human nature. In literature, a theme is a big idea, moral or message about life living, or human nature that is implied by what happens in the story. According to Beatrizb (2009), in the story there is an old woman; Mother Fletcher was known to be over 90 years old. But it was a rumoured that was mother Fletcher was well over 90 years old. She had become a legend in the 145th street. Then there was Patrolman William Michael O'Brien. He had a wife, Kathy, and a little girl, Meaghan, while on patrol, a girl came up to him. She said to call an ambulance for Mother Fletcher. He went upstairs to investigate. After seeing her for the first time, he thought of her as a "black version of a painted medieval saint." He called the ambulance and asked for her age. All Mother Fletcher said was that she was full-grown. A week later, a package arrived for O'Brien. It was a hand knit sweater from Mother Fletcher. He visited her to thank her and mention he had a wife. Within time, he got another sweater for his wife. He visited her again and mentioned he had a daughter. Again, he received another sweater for his daughter. O'Brien talked to her now and then. He and his wife were trying to figure out her age. One day, after work, he told his wife that Mother Fletcher had invited them to Christmas dinner, but he did not want to go. So, the weeks flew by and it was Christmas. Kathy and Meaghan walked in the room with their coats on. They were going to Mother Fletcher. O'Brien felt the need to go. Mother Fletcher wasn't expecting them, but had a lot of food. She told Meaghan how she played catch with Santa Claus when he was just a boy. It was a good ending to a good chapter.
After seeing the movie I’ve learned a lot of lessons. First, sometimes dreams do come true! Dream big dreams, and don't let the doubt in others make you doubt yourself. It is when they Kathy and Maeghan wants to go to mother Fletcher’s house then at first Bill wanted them not to go because of the situation that mother Fletcher has. But if there is a will, there is really a way. That’s why Kathy and Maeghan won, they really convinced Bill to go with them in mother Fletcher’s house. Second, persistence pays off! Kathy and Maeghan try over and over to convince Bill, to go to mother Fletcher’s house, and in the end they get what their hearts desired. Third, multiple roads can lead to success. Maeghan realizes there are people in his world that are in his parents' sphere of influence that may change their gift buying ideas including Santa. When working through a problem or difficult situation, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Include multiple options and methods into the decision making process because you never know which one will ultimately work, just like when Maeghan and Kathy chooses to celebrate the Christmas with mother Fletcher than going somewhere or doing something to celebrate Christmas. Fourth, People are motivated more by rewards than punishments. Rewarding people tends to get better results than the alternative. Something as simple as a "leg lamp" can lead to pride. It isn't about the reward itself, but rather the acknowledgment of a job well done. Take time to get to know those around you. You can definitely get more of what you want by helping others get what they want. Just like what the family gave something to mother Fletcher during Christmas, they gave lots of food through that they gave unforgettable moments, memories and smile to the old woman.
And the Christmas dinner wasn’t the best that the O’Briens would ever have but it was far from being the worst. But then, that’s not what this story is about. This story is about how a policeman’s young family brought a few hours of happiness to an old woman. Or perhaps it’s about how an old woman taught a young family something about sharing. Or maybe, just maybe it is about how a six-year-old girl found the only person in the world who played catch with Santa Claus when he was a little boy, even though she was a lot older than he was.
Christmas is the perfect time to evaluate the important things in life. Christmas is also a celebrating love: Christmas is a time to be thankful for all the beautiful people in your life and to express your love to them. Christmas is that the pursuit of money will not make a person happy. Money can’t buy a complete family, happiness, respect and love. Why is Christmas important to families? Holiday traditions are an important part to building a strong bond between family, and our community. They give us a sense of belonging and a way to express what is important to us. They connect us to our history and help us celebrate generations of family. The true message of Christmas is to give up one's very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas. Let’s not forget that Christmas means a time of giving love and thanks that Jesus was born to die for our sins. It's a time where we get together and thank the Lord. It's also a time to show love to our families and exchange gifts.
REFERENCES
Beatrizb, (2009). 145TH STREET: SHORT STORIES BY WALTER DEAN MYERS. Retrieved from: http://145thstreetshortstory.blogspot.com/2009/09/chapter-7-christmas-story.html
History.com Editors, (2020). History of Christmas. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
James, C. (2000). Why is Christmas Day on the 25th December? Retrieved from: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml
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