The Green caldron - University Library

March, 1958
What Happened to Christmas?
Ward Malisch
Rhetoric loi. Theme 8
CHRISTMAS? YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO
Christmas? Why, it just disappeared, that's all. Why? It could have
been any number of reasons, I suppose. It went through a series of
changes down through the years and then, no more Christmas.
How did it disappear? Well, it's a long story, but the biggest changes
started back in 1960. It was then that people had the idea that a three-day
week-end would be more advantageous than a holiday falling during the middle
of the week. If all holidays fell on the week-end, there would more time for
everything. Oh, this wasn't a new idea even then. Many people had suggested
it, but nothing was done, not until 1960. Finally a law was passed making all
national holidays, including Christmas, fall on week-ends. This was all well and
good then because people didn't have to stop and think, "Will Christmas fall
on a Monday or a Tuesday this year?" This problem was eliminated since it
always fell on a Friday.
But people still weren't satisfied. Next, someone thought that Christmas
and New Year's Day were too close together, and it was suggested that if they
were spread, they would be much more convenient for all. Why not space the
holidays evenly throughout the year? "A wonderful idea," everyone said;
"Why didn't we think of that before?"
Now obviously, New Year's Day couldn't possibly be moved to a different
time of the year ; consequently Christmas was chosen as the one to be moved.
After all, if the day on which it fell didn't matter, why then should the month
make any difference?
The holidays were then spaced evenly, and everyone was satisfied once
more. Of course, having Christmas in April had some disadvantages. Christmas
trees weren't very pretty at that time, but this was easily remedied by
forgetting about them completely. Also, the legend of Santa Claus had to
be discontinued since there wasn't enough snow for his reindeer. But giving
presents was the main purpose of Christmas anyway ; so people decided it was
unnecessary to clutter the day with useless tradition. It was then reduced to
its essential purpose—the giving and receiving of gifts.
There was one last change to be made. Many people still thought of winter,
Santa Claus, and the old traditions, when Christmas was mentioned. Also, the
church had never been satisfied with this holiday changing and had continued
to call December 25 Christmas, designating it as a church holy day along with
Pentecost, Easter, and the other days recognized by the church. The answer