It is the holiday season and people just think that it means getting off from school and getting nice presents from Santa Claus. People have lost what the true meaning of Christmas actually is. So, what is it?
The true meaning of Christmas is a phrase with a long history in American pop culture. It first appeared in the mid-19th century suggesting that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity of Christ.
When people hear Christmas, the first thing they think of is getting presents and maybe flashbacks from being a kid waking up early opening their gifts from Santa Claus.
Sophomore exercise science major Chrissy Ferraro says that the true meaning of Christmas is spending time with your friends and family.
Sophomore business administration major Hendi Gilot feels that people are too selfish on Christmas and only worry about themselves and do not worry about why we are off from school and why families get together on this day.
Some family traditions are singing happy birthday to baby Jesus and going to church on Christmas or Christmas Eve like, sophomore exercise science major Alex Swallow’s family.
“My family is very religious and my mom makes sure I am always home for church on Christmas day every year,” Swallow said.
She mentioned that in her family religion plays a huge role in their Christmas celebration and is always the main focus on Christmas day.
Being this is a catholic college, Cabrini students should know what the true meaning of Christmas is. The sad part is that students and teachers are more worried about finals when it comes to Christmas break and are not worried about learning about the true meaning of Christmas.
“It’s unfortunate how the end of the semester means finals and Christmas break, but that’s just how the school year is laid out,” Professor Tom Albrecht said.
Albrecht mentioned that it is sad that when kids think of Christmas, they mainly just think about themselves and opening gifts and do not know the true meaning of Christmas. He has also seen parents unable to explain to their kids what Christmas is about and thinks that this generation may have lost that.
“In my family we celebrated Jesus everyday because of what he gave all of us and I’m lucky that all my kids understand that and will continue to preach that to their kids,” Albrecht said. “Me sitting down with my grandkids last weekend watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special defined what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.”
