Religious Holidays and Television
Thought and Reflection
There is method to my madness (at least I hope so). We have been talking during the last couple of classes about what has been described as the “religious marketplace” and have hinted about the commodification of religion by focusing of audiences as “markets” and the role of religious products and consumption in that marketplace. It would seem logical at this point, to look at how television has shaped our perspectives on the Christmas and other religious holidays.
Please read the assigned article, “Consecrating Consumer Culture.” I think the author raises some interesting issues that we should incorporate into our class discussion. I’m going to begin by trying to summarize some of what I think are the key points in this article.
Social Media?
We haven’t talked as much (yet) about social media and how it has shaped and reshaped religion. I thought it might be interesting for you to watch the following clip. It is the Easter story told through social media (assuming it would have been available at the time). Watch the clip and think about how social media could shape and influence religion and spirituality. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
So much has been said about Christmas. That will be our focus for what follows.
In the beginning…
The author of the article notes that Christmas specials began in the very early days of television, pointing to the first special, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” which aired on Christmas eve 1951. It was a one-act opera, based somewhat on the story of the Magi, and was performed in a studio at the Rockefeller Center and aired on NBC. I’ve included a clip below. This will really put into perspective how far Christmas specials have come over the years.
As the author explains, musical variety shows dominated television programming in the 1950s, so it should not be surprising that the very first Christmas specials were designed to accommodate this format. These programs, he says, featured large production numbers based on Christmas hymns and carols. They sometimes include scriptural references and included imagery associated with Christianity. However, as time passed (moving into the 60s, 70s, and 80s), the specials continued to feature distinctly religious (Christian) music, but they were no longer set in specific Christian settings. Some were (e.g., Perry Como’s “Christmas in the Holy Land”) and some were not (e.g., Dean Martin’s “Christmas at Sea World”).
Here are some clips from what I think are some of the more interesting TV Christmas moments.
Here’s a clip from “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”
Next, here’s a clip from a 1952 Perry Como Christmas special. I’ve included it because the intro includes a pitch from the show’s sponsor, Chesterfield Cigarettes. Yes, the pitchman suggests giving cigarettes as Christmas presents. This clip also is interesting also because the special tells the Christmas story (in quasi-pagenat form).
A real classic duet by David Bowie and Bing Crosby:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9kfdEyV3RQ
A more secular approach
One of the changes identified by the author was an eventual shift toward more secular programming, particularly by creating programming directed at children and younger audiences. He writes:
One common way of attempting this (to appeal to those who grew up in traditional Christian homes and to those who did not) is to secularize the presentations and characters like Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty are enthusiastically employed toward this end. Many of the songs, images, and stories of Christmas are now safely secular, and many Christmas television shows choose to stick with these.
The author explains, referring to more recent specials (and I see this as somewhat positive):
Aside from hymn lyrics, practically none of the network Christmas programming is overtly Christian. Instead, the specials contain their vague trappings associated in the popular imagination with religious life: traditional values, moral living, nostalgia. Christmas programming is nearly always characterized by a very heavy emphasis on the home and extended family, and on the virtue of generosity. Together, these are expressive of a faith which Americans—whether Christians, believers of other faiths, or secularists—share.
Here’s a list of the top 10 Christmas specials:
The Charlie Brown Christmas Special may be a notable exception to the examples here by virtue of its inclusion of the reading of the Christmas story from Luke 2.
Christmas guilt and consumption?
Now here is where the author starts to make an interesting argument. He argues that while these specials rely on appeals to family, home, tradition, and nostalgia, they at the same create a sense of “guilt.” While he does not clarify (at least to my satisfaction what he means here), I believe he is suggesting that the “guilt” is actually our need to be more generous and kind (I see this as good). However, he argues that we are being prompted to assuage this guilt through consumption.
He writes:
This American cultural Christmas is a perfect match for television Christianity itself, a religion based on the word, not the image, and one which rejects wealth, acquisitiveness, and conspicuous consumption, is not well suited for a commercial medium like television, but Christmas as reconfigured in Christmas specials to match American expectations is a different story. By focusing on home, family, and generosity, Christmas specials create an uncomfortable emotional state that can easily be comforted by shopping, by patronizing the advertisers of the shows that made the viewer uncomfortable in the first place. This, in the end, is the genius of Christmas television.
In your blog, I would like you share your feelings in this line of reasoning by the author. Before you respond, read and think about the next couple of paragraphs.
Here is an interesting example he uses to support his claim:
The Magi brought gifts to Christ, Santa Claus bring gifts to everyone, and the very definition of a “scrooge” comes from the character in the most well known semi-secular Christmas tale of all, whose hellish descent into his own id is caused by his unwillingness to spot Bob Cratchett a few shillings until payday. After his visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future, Scrooge is redeemed only when he wakes up and starts tossing money around….Most Christmas television demonstrates that kids like toys, and lots of them, and we should plan our shopping strategies accordingly….In an ingenious slight of hand, then, popular Christmas stories encourage the purchasing of gifts at the same time they preach of how unimportant material things are.
The author notes that this story of Scrooge has been told and retold, in various versions in literally dozens, if not hundreds, of Christmas specials and in Christmas episodes of popular television series.
Here, example, is the “Family Ties” version from 1982 (actually a part of it):
OK, I couldn’t resist. Here’s the trailer for the 2008 “Barbie” version of “A Christmas Carol.” I know we’ve been talking about TV, and this is a movie, but I think this really helps make the point (in kind of an over-the-top way):
More on Easter
So here’s a trailer about Disney Easter Specials. Watch it, and then think about the way in which the holiday is framed and constructed? What would be the audience take-away? How is it similar to how Christmas is constructed?
Today’s Blog
So, I would love to hear your thoughts on today’s readings and this line of thinking. Do you agree or disagree with the author? What role do you think television has played, if any at all, in the commercialization and commodification of Christmas or other religious holidays? Please answer the other questions above.
I think that television has played a huge role in commercializing Christmas, but I also think the author went a little too far when he seems to act like the whole point of Christmas specials is to drive sales to the advertisers and sponsors of the specials. While I agree that the televised Christmas does generally include large amounts of gifts and incentivizes people to "give" usually in the form of presents, I don't think you can overlook that the main theme is usually that we should show our love in one form or another. Gift-giving is a way of showing love, so that is one way that someone who feels uncomfortable after watching a Christmas special can feel better, but there are other ways to show love to family and friends that would make us feel just as good. In fact, many of the Christmas specials talk more about love and caring for others than gifts and material possessions. Even the Grinch learns that Christmas means "a little bit more."
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is just me sticking up for Christmas specials because I think they are wonderful, but I really do think that if they make people feel uncomfortable, they are doing that to inspire them to find ways to be better, to show their love, and to spread Christmas joy, not because they want them to buy a bunch of presents from the sponsoring advertisers (though I'm sure the advertisers are thrilled about that aspect).
I love giving gifts, it makes me feel awesome because I can make someone else happy by giving a little bit of thought, time, and money into getting something specifically for them. I think the commercialization comes when we associate Christmas with only gifts and food and whatever else, leaving behind the feelings. If Christmas is displayed as a bunch of presents under a tree, and a huge turkey on the table, that is commercialization, but if Christmas is displayed as a family spending time together, exchanging thoughtful gifts and gratitude, then it is an idealization of what Christmas should be, and I don't think it is a negative, commercialized representation at all.
In many other countries, they just give small gifts to the few people closest to them, if they even give any gifts at all, but Christmas still means the same thing for them: time with their family, showing love. They are exposed to much of the same media, thanks to the globalization of the US entertainment industry, but their Christmas isn't nearly as material as many of ours here in the US. So while I think the media is certainly playing a huge role in the commercialization of Christmas, there are other things at play, and much of the media also works to create a different vision of Christmas.
Despite the fact that brands try to benefit from Christmas by getting people to buy more products, I don't think that it's that bad of a thing. Since the products being bought are to give to friends and family in gestures of love and affection, I don't think that commercialization is as evil as people often make it out to be. I think that Christmas is about family, selflessness, and the Savior, and I don't see how using one's hard-earned money to selflessly buy and then give a thoughtful gift to another in order to make them happy isn't a good way to celebrate the birth and life of the Savior Jesus Christ. Despite "commercialization", Christmas still brings families together, creates lasting memories, strengthens bonds, and creates happiness. When it comes down to it, these things are all that matter, and how many gifts you give/get or how fancy they are really isn't important. I think the media (commercials) can definitely distract from the pure meaning of Christmas (family, togetherness, Christ, joy) by focusing on the desire for expensive and "cool" gifts, but I still think the main message in the media revolves around family and giving to others, so it ends up doing more good than harm.
ReplyDeleteWith Christmas and other religious holidays, we just need to make sure that we focus on their importance and not let it bug us that they are more commercialized than maybe we'd like them to be- there's no reason to let that detract from our celebrations. More often I think they add to the fun and make the holidays even more grand and memorable for everyone.
I thought the Easter story through social media offered a very cool perspective. I like how he created the story using Facebook, Twitter, and online News Media with all the various people who were involved the in the crucifixion. One thing that I did notice was, if social media was the medium for the news of the crucifixion I don't think outsiders would be able to understand the high emotion and distresses that was surely involved in all of these events. The posts on social media seemed nonchalant because not a lot of emotion was expressed in their posts, which makes sense because it is hard to express feelings and emotion is just a couple of sentences online. Also, as I was thinking about the people involved in the Easter story actually taking the time to post updates on social media during these momentous moments, I think that the moments would not have been appreciated as much and they would not be as authentic. When people are on their social media it's usually because whatever they are doing is not as important as their news feed. So if these people were posting on social media during these events it would make them seem less significant; just another piece of random information that will generate likes and comments. Social Media is a great tool, but I think there is a time and a place for it and when used during the wrong times can be irreverent and disrespectful. I think we can all benefit from the ancient pattern of sharing news by first living in the moment and experiencing it to the fullest, and then reporting about it.
ReplyDeleteThe view of Christmas has definitely changed throughout time even to the point that it is not solely a Christian holiday because some people from different religions still celebrate the season. I think the celebration of the birth of Christ can get lost in the busyness of the season, but I still think that Christmas is seen as a time to be with family and be charitable towards others and is not just a tool to swoon people into spending more money. While one may think that by looking at certain aspects of the Christmas season, but the entire Christmas mindset is not to simply spend money, but to give and be thankful for what is had.
I do agree with the author of the “Consecrating Consumer Culture” article in that television and advertising have completely transformed and commercialized Christmas. This is just so with other holidays as well: Easter, Valentine’s day, Halloween, you name a holiday, it’s been commercialized. The unfortunate aspect of the commercialization of Christmas is that it has transformed a religion of the masses. While popular Christmas movies and television shows feature families gathered together, the day is no longer centered around Christ. Christmas in media is now about Santa Clause, Frosty, Rudolph. It is secularized. The article stated that Christmas stories are not “safely secular” which made me think. The media wants to secularize the important and deeply Christian holiday of Christmas as much as possible to make money on it. More people relate to Santa Clause, to Frosty, to Rudolph, than they do to Christ. The birth of Christ only appeals to Christians while these Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty appeal to children and adults from differing religious backgrounds. Because these three characters appeal to the masses more than Christ does, television and media pay more attention to them. We saw a similar phenomenon with televangelism. When televangelism first started, topics were more doctrine specific yet rapidly transformed to reach a wider audience with general principles that were applicable to everyone. This is the case with the commercialization of Christmas, the commodification of a specific religious market and broadening that market to something that is applicable to all.
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated with the point the author wrote about regarding guilt and the idea of “retail therapy.” I’ve never considered Christmas nor Christmas television to have this paradox of making viewers feel guilty and promptly assuaging that guilt with a commercial of a shiny new thing. Viewers feel guilt for or uncomfortable, well knowing that the holiday, being so rooted in Christain beliefs, has transformed into a shopping holiday and yet, they still shop because it is comforting to buy into the commercialization of Christmas.
The Last Supper story that was portrayed through social media was very interesting. I personally didn't really like it even though it shared the story in a modern way. It was very informal, It didn't exhibit a particular reverence when sharing its messages about the Savior. It lacked raw emotion that can only be transferred through physical human interaction. I feel like the audience wouldn't be able to take the story as seriously as they should. There are ways that social media can be used to share religious messages like the easter video the church came out with called, "He is Risen." I remember those videos went viral and they were able to share Christ's resurrection and the meaning of Easter in a more appropriate way.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with he author. Christmas has become more of a holiday based on more secular themes and general concepts of morality rather than the true meaning behind Christmas and the birth of the Savior. The author and the reading above gave a example of the Christmas Carol and how in the end the resolution was scrooge buying gifts for everyone. Now thinking back at all of the Christmas movies I normally watch, all present those same themes of buying gifts and spending money. The author argues that people have this urge of guilt because they aren't as virtuous or charitable as the characters that they see on tv so they combat that by going shopping. I thought it was interesting when the author made the comment that these popular tv stories contradict themselves. He states, "In an ingenious slight of hand, then, popular Christmas stories encourage the purchasing of gifts at the same time they preach of how unimportant material things are." I had never even noticed that before but now it is very true. A lot of themes surrounding Christmas more circulated around money and wealth than the birth of Christ. I feel the same in regards to Easter. These holiday have become so commercialized and a basis for companies to promote consumer sales that the focus is solely on secular matters. It more directed to kids and what is attractive to them rather then more seriousness of the story of Christ.
The Easter story told through social media was a little cheesy but I get the point trying to be made. Things on social media seem very insincere. The posts and comments about Christ’s death sound like it’s an every day event and there’s little emotion. Even Mary’s quote didn’t put in perspective what actually happened and her feelings. Social media makes it so everyone can know what’s going on in your life but really nobody actually cares. This is why huge events like this getting put on social media don’t get proper attention.
ReplyDeleteI think Christmas in the media is over sensationalized. The advertising goes absolutely nuts. If we put a Christmas song, some snow and a fireplace people will buy our product as a Christmas present. There’s hardly any actual message related to Christ in the media during the month of December. Occasionally we see a movie or TV show with a good, wholesome message of Christmas, and even then a lot of the time it isn’t with Christian intent.
In an ingenious slight of hand, then, popular Christmas stories encourage the purchasing of gifts at the same time they preach of how unimportant material things are.
This line from the reading sums up perfectly what we see in the media around Christmastime. We constantly say that Christmas is about serving and feeling the love of Christ when we are bombarded by things saying “buy, buy, buy. You need the perfect gift. Get a gift for all your friends,” Etc. Before social media I think we focused on Christ at Christmastime but the way we use it desensitized the Holiday for its actual meaning and purpose.
When reading simply the title of todays post I instantly thought of the the Christmas eve in my house spent watching every Office holiday episode produced. It was a great memory filled with laughs, but thinking more about it, I guess it was a strange tradition. How has it gotten to the point when the media and television are so ingrained in society that watching the office seems like a festive activity on Christmas of all days? Reading though the history of holiday television programs I began to realize how the media slowly turned the dial further and further from religious topics without us realizing it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone loves reading Luke 2 on Christmas eve—or even acting it out as a family—so why not watch it on TV? There would be better performers than just cousin Sally, and better singers than Uncle Joe, and the message is still the same Christ focused story. However, even n the 1952 Christmas special we start seeing signs of what’s to come. It was crazy to think that even 60 years ago they intertwined the idea of consumption with Christmas. I mean that’s what they do today! From the day after Halloween, Black Friday commercials start to roll and the subtle reminders its time to shop are hard to avoid. What could possibly be a better sales tactic? We’ve all heard kill them with kindness… but why kill them when you can sell them with kindness! I fully agree with the authors implications and feel that television has removed the Christ from Christmas, kept the tried and true principles it represents, and turned it into an industrialized event rather than a religious holiday.
They blur the moral line of Christmas sacrifice with mortal pride and greed. They guilt their viewers into buying products to increase their Christ like attribute of charity and sacrifice, when in reality the person they are serving doesn’t need what they are buying them—want? Probably. Need? Probably not. In the end it’s a brilliant strategy, and terrible loss of a great holiday.
I have been going on in a debate of sorts for years about the marginalization of Thanksgiving. I have often complained that Thanksgiving is a great, if criminally underrated holiday. It sends a good message about having an attitude of gratitude, and wearing your appreciation for all that you have. Nonetheless, I have felt that people treat Thanksgiving like the skip over Holiday. It stands between two big ones, Halloween and Christmas and it's nice, but the day after the focus is on shopping for Christmas. It's almost as if the holiday about appreciating family and expressing gratitude is just a launch pad for the one where everyone gets great presents and goes on vacation. That's the one everyone wants. So I was strongly suggest that the big holidays, like Christmas, have been heavily commercialized. And the thing is, I think it makes perfect sense. There's no narrative in a thing like Thanksgiving. Showing gratitude tells almost no story all together, while the Birth of Christ comes as an event that heralded the birth of the messiah and the beginning of a life that would redefine history. I think too that the first initial efforts at bringing Christmas to the home through television and radio was not a bad thing. The birth of these new technologies were at first a paradigm shift in family socialization and the early days of television likely reflected a more family oriented interaction. It stands to reason that with that level of new excitement and that cultural mindset, programs like Amahl and the Night Visitors could be presented and could tell a story with a strong tie to the true purpose of the holiday. These were the kinds of programs that became traditionalized, to watch again and again in the home around the holiday season for years to come. I would suggest (and with no ire or intent to diminish or blame) that the secularization of our society is strongly linked to the reduction in purely religious purpose to the type of holiday programming we see. I do not then hold the media to blame for this change, but rather see the media again as a response to its commercial environment.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked in a different way at how Easter has been constructed. I am not sure how I stack up in comparison to other members of the class, but at home and around a number of my friends, I found that my family had a much more religious approach to Easter. While we might have gotten a bit of candy, at all times it was apparent that the holiday was a matter of recognizing Christ and the resurrection. On the other hand, I saw people all around me describing presents they had received as though it were Christmas morning once again. I didn't quite understand it for a long time. Watching the Disney Easter special preview really shocked me too as I watched it. The entirety of the narrative surrounds the Easter Bunny and it seems there is no reference to the origin of the story. In almost any of the Christmas things I have seen, there are at least a few sparing ties back to the original story, but with Easter I have felt that the ties have been cut almost completely. This surprised me too because I would have expected the holiday commemorating a Christ's execution and sacrifice as a far less fun and exciting holiday to surround with presents. With Christmas there is at least a precedent set with the Wise men who bring gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. So again, I'm not sure if my upbringing was just different, but I'm really not used to seeing the type of commercialization that comes with Easter that I've known to associate with Christmas commercialization, and because of that I find it almost unsettling.
I agree and disagree with the author on some sort of scale. I think that the holiday season is a time when many people feel guilty because of the extravagant gifts and money that they spend or feel guilted into spending. Television is interesting because it can make people feel this way. Many times clothing and toy stores have sales around Christmas time to almost make it "easier" to spend a lot of money. Television shows also show these amazing Christmas mornings when the children wake up to piles of gifts that take them probably five hours to open. It is a unrealistic expectation of how Christmas should be. My sister-in-law doesn't like Christmas. She said she hates receiving gifts because then she feels there is an expectation to give a gift back. I think many people feel this way. Feeling this way takes away from the happy holiday Christmas spirit.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the author because even though there may be pressure to have the biggest and best Christmas, these television influences should never change how you personally feel about the Christmas season. It is all about remembering Christ and acting Christlike. Its the feeling you get, not how much you give or receive. So I just think that you should never let something as simple as television influence your Christmas spirit.
I think the author was pretty spot on. He takes a very real stance on how Christmas themes have been transformed through media and television. He said that it has to do with the feeling of “guilt.” Like you pointed out, I do think he meant it in terms of being more generous and kind. This is the same reason why I think religious services have been diluted in general. Christmas themes are now to satisfy yourself instead of giving praise to something greater than yourself (the Lord). Now, it’s all about self-gratification because it satisfies that guilt.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, it only attempts to fill a void which can’t be done with money and self-indulgence. I like what he said about people being easily comforted by shopping. That’s totally the shift that we’ve seen. Advertisements are now full of shopping ideas—that’s all we see, not a message of the Christmas spirit. Like he said, it’s “the genius of Christmas television.” It spreads some sort of happiness, but within joy and real substance.
So, about the Easter video. I think the show just uses this religious holiday as a way to earn revenue and viewers. Like most holiday films, this film did not mention one religious reference during the whole trailer. I think is very telling of how the rest of the world has begun to view religious because of these types of portrayals.
I thought that this blog post was very interesting because media plays a huge role in religious holidays. I want to first talk about how the media plays a role in Christmas guilt and consumption. I do agree with the author in his thoughts about the commercializing of Christmas and Easter. I liked the following quotes from his article, “Christmas specials create an uncomfortable emotional state that can easily be comforted by shopping, by patronizing the advertisers...” the author then states, “In an ingenious slight of hand, then, popular Christmas stories encourage the purchasing of gifts at the same time they preach of how unimportant material things are.” I think it is funny how the media totally contradicts and encourages us to buy gifts when in religion we are taught that we should refrain from being materialistic. Giving and service is a great quality to have but the media twists our perception of “kind acts” and makes us feel like if we don’t buy an amazing gift for our loved ones, we are not really serving them and they will have a bad Christmas. I definitely fall in to the trap of getting so invested in materials presents that I forget that we are celebrating Christ. By no means do I think that receiving/giving gifts are bad, I just think that advertising in the media influences how we should celebrate Christmas. I wish the media would show more stories of people giving thanks and service rather than what expensive gifts we should buy this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteHolidays will always be commercialized because they are big money makers. I love finding fun gifts for my family, and watching movies like Elf, The Polar Express, etc. but I agree with the author, I think we make Christmas more secular know than it use to be. I think the reason for this is we want everyone to be apart of Christmas; we want all religions to celebrate the holiday even if they don’t believe in Christ because it is a fun holiday that we want everyone to spend money on. I think this is an interesting subject and my overall feeling is that the reason Christmas is so commercialized is because it is such a big money maker.
When I think of the effect modern television and social media have had on Christmas I think of the Filipino people. Culturally and traditionally, Christmas was a very sacred time to these people. They are a very Christ-centered people and so celebrating his birth is important. It was a time of reverence, prayer, small gatherings, and scripture readings. Meals were made, but were meager. Friends and family gathered together, but it was a very quiet gathering. Santa Claus and gift giving and pop music were barely talked about.
ReplyDeleteIn the past couple of generations, things have changed drastically over there. Now, starting in September, the malls are adorned with lights, sleighs (even though they don't have snow), elves, and Mr. Claus himself. You can hear american Christmas music ringing through the loud speakers, and people are shopping for Christmas gifts to put under their tiny trees. They now shop for decorations and giant hams. You can find a giant blow-up of Santa standing right next to the nativity of Jesus. It looks like mini America over there.
It makes me a little sad when I see the small Filipino children laughing and running around talking about Santa Claus in a culture that used to only focus on the Christ Child. I remember talking to a lady who was in her later years about this dilemma. She told me that since TV and smart phones had reached their country things had began to drastically change. She said how sad she felt when she saw Christmas now because it just wasn't the same. She wanted to bring back the old tradition of humility and gratitude. These comments made me sad.
While I do enjoy the Holidays, Santa, lights, and good food I really empathized with this woman as she watched her culture begin to dissappear right before her very eyes. This is the effect the religious marketplace has had over there.
I think religious holidays are solely seen as a profit to marketers. They don't care about the real meaning of Christmas- they just want people to buy stuff. It's fun of course, but there are times when we all forget about why we are really celebrating. Christ isn't always the center of it. Actually, in my opinion, Christ isn't in it at all. And it makes me sad to see how modern media has impacted an entire culture clear on the other side of the world. Their holidays have been "Americanized." That makes me sad.
While I understand the reasons behind the commercialization of Christmas, like the author says it can now include everyone, I still wish there were parts of the Christian influence that held a little bit stronger on all of us.
I definitely think the media has secularized and commercialized Holidays originally based on the miracle of Jesus Christ. But I don't think TV shows depicting family and giving puts people in an "uncomfortable place" like the author said. I think a spirit of giving to others is important to remember at Christmas time and all year, and often that does come in the form of physical gifts. I think the issue of it becoming to secularized is when society focusses on the pushing people to buy things they don’t need because the media/advertising has encouraged them to do so. I think the biggest ways large corporations can “rip off” people at Christmastime is marketting to children. The child sees something they want and begs their parent. Then the parent feels like a bad parent if their child is the only one not wearing “healies” to school. (I was totally the kid with no “healies” but I am grateful now :)) I think what can be the most heartbreaking about this concept is that the marketing schemes are based off the sacred historical event: the birth of Jesus Christ. When that sacred and beautiful moment is used to make money in unethical ways, it is sad to see, and I do think it is largely caused by the secularization of society, which grows more and more as technology and media spread.
ReplyDeleteI also want to address the topic of Easter and how it is so commercialized—falling away from the deep and miraculous spiritual meaning of the Holiday. The Easter bunny is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you say Easter to anyone. I think originally, it had a good meaning. The Easter bunny gives gifts. Often the gifts come in an egg shell, symbolizing springtime and new birth. Well Jesus Christ gave the greatest gift of all by suffering the Atonement and experienced new birth through resurrection so we could too! But we have steered away from that original meaning and have now turned to making Easter all about bunnies, and egg hunts that leave children crying and parents fighting. Overall, this is not a very spiritual enlightening day for most of the world. Even for myself, as a child, all I really cared about on Easter was the giant chocolate bunny i would get in the morning before church. I think as a society, we need to cut back on the secularism and remember why many holidays—such as Christmas and Easter—are even celebrated. Instead of centering out lives on commercialism, we need to remember the true center of everything, Jesus Christ.
Ok that was really weird to be honest. I found myself laughing at how strange I found it and then feeling really guilty because this is not something to be mocked. But I really couldn’t tell what the creators were going for here. Was this for a missionary tool or reflecting on how social media effects us. Maybe it was used to try to relate to a younger audience better. I felt very unsettled. I know that the general authorities have Facebook’s and twitters, but whenever I see posts by them I never actually think it’s them. I imagine a PR person tweeting out all these positive vibes. They just don’t seem very real or genuine posts from general authorities. Don’t get me wrong they are very uplifting and positive but its kinda weird in a way. I guess why I found myself laughing is because seeing all these biblical people posting Facebook statues reminded me about the old weird people on Facebook who do stuff like that. They are the people you’re not really friends with but you don’t block them either because their oddness is entertaining. I felt very weird reading all these Facebook posts from biblical people. In a sense I was a little offended because something this sacred would not be so casually shared on Facebook. That’s how I see it.
ReplyDeleteTalking about Christmas and TV. To be honest I don’t really understand what the author means by the “uncomfortable emotional state” created by Christmas specials. But one thing I do know is most TV shows always write Christmas episodes. They are often my favorite. They all try to hit on the classic holiday themes with different twists. In my experience they all boil down to the same ideas.
I agree with the author to an extent. Yes, I do think that the media and television have played a huge role in commercializing Christmas and downplaying its origins. But I also think the author sounded a little extreme when he says that those who reject certain ideals are not fit for the television medium and that Christmas has morphed into something to match American ideals.
ReplyDeleteIt is very true that Christmas has become less of a religious holiday that it originally was. The origins of Christmas are based on Christ and his story, now, some people celebrate Christmas with the idea that it is purely about gifts. I know people that don't even believe in Christ that still celebrate Christmas just because it really is an awesome holiday with fun traditions attached to it. And media has allowed that. There are Christmas movies like the ones mentioned above that focus solely on Santa Claus. Santa can be viewed as a secular character, so Christmas doesn't have to be viewed as a religious holiday.
I don't think it is really a bad thing. From what I've seen in my life, religious people still make the effort to remember Christ during the holidays and what Christmas is really about. The day is focused on Christ and what he did for us. For Christians, Christmas is a religious holiday.
For non-religious people, or those that don't want to focus on Christ, Christmas is just a holiday that focuses on giving and being with family and moral values. I don't think that's all bad. Even though the meaning of Christmas is a little different, it still promotes good values and happiness for EVERYONE.
Though not as in depth, I'd agree with the overall message of the author. I think that television and christmas specials have escalated a feeling of entitlement, expectations, and therefor, guilt if those expectations are not met by those you care about. In reality, no one originally cares that much about it all, but the media through businesses trying to capitalize on the gift giving season, convinces us that we are "supposed" to focus on shoppping. Though it is a form of love, It is arguably an easier way to show love, than by actually serving and loving.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that gift giving is important and good, as a SYMBOL. I feel loved getting a thought out gift- even if not expensive in any way. I also feel love for others by contemplating what they may appreciate and then making/getting that thing for them. But when it crosses that line of REMINDING us of God and family's love for us, and in turn goes to an entitled feeling of expectations, then it goes too far. Media is not completely to blame for this either. And like what was shown above, it is hard for media to t take the religious approach to christmas for fear of offending and demeaning. And thus they have stuck with the secular. But by doing so, it also tends to secularize our own ideas of Christmas too.
In watching the clips from different holiday films, I could see how there was less and less religiosity in movies as time went on. Few later films about Christmas mentioned the birth of Jesus, instead they focused on gift-giving and charity as part of the Christmas season. In many ways, Christ was replaced by the secular Santa Claus. Likewise, the clips about Easter focused on finding Easter eggs and replaced Christ with the Easter Bunny. This demonstrates a social shift that may be pandering to those who don’t believe in Christian holidays. Even though everyone doesn’t believe in Jesus, everyone can celebrate Santa or the Easter Bunny who have no religious affiliation. While I enjoyed watching the holiday movie clips, I sincerely appreciated the social media Easter video.
ReplyDeleteAlthough some might see it as blasphemous, I thought that the Easter video, showing the events of the Last Supper and Crucifixion of Jesus through social media, was fascinating. To me, it showed how communication has evolved. No longer are our innermost thoughts and feelings recorded in a journal for few, if any, to see, but they are now recorded on Facebook and Twitter where all can see. This demonstrates the rise of disclosure and transparency, brought about by social media. I also thought it was interesting to see how the disciples of Jesus used social media to teach and spread the Gospel, something our modern-day prophets and apostles are actually doing. Finally, this video illustrated that different channels of communication are more effective than others for different groups of people. Media channels in the video ranged from YouTube to Facebook to Flickr to SMS text. If the Last Supper and Crucifixion had happened in our day, I could see how this video might parallel reality.
My first thoughts of Christmas programs on television was that I think they have a positive effect in general. I think of some Disney shows I watched when I was younger and how each of the shows would do some kind of holiday themed show. Most of the time the general message was about remembering the true meaning of the holiday (whether it was Christmas, Hanuka, or something else).
ReplyDeleteThe author argues that the Christmas programs have shifted from specifically Christian audiences to general audiences. I definitely agree with that because the mention of "Christmas" is less acceptable and now it is more about the "Holidays." (That idea may open a whole new discussion which we might have another day.) So now the messages that are being told are those of general American values:giving, loving others, forgiving others, etc. These are the kind of messages that general United States population want to consume. If a Christmas/Holiday program does not hold up to those standards, then they will not be as successful. Television, therefore, has had a major part in creating the Holiday brand that we know today.
The author also argues that these programs promote more consumerism in the market. Even though the general message of show is about material things are not as important as we treat others, it also promotes the idea that by giving to others we are doing our part in spreading the spirit of the Holidays. I think that this usually happens subconsciously for the consumer because as nostalgia is used, it evokes positive feelings with the audience/consumer and the audience/consumer will be more likely to buy the product. The person may not make the decision when they are watching the program, but they will be familiar with the brand and be more likely to buy it when it comes time to make a decision. They probably won't even associate it with what they saw or felt in the program.
I completely agree with the author when he says that "by focusing on home, family, and generosity, Christmas specials create an uncomfortable emotional state that can easily be comforted by shopping, by patronizing the advertisers of the shows that made the viewer uncomfortable in the first place."
ReplyDeleteCommercialism in America has adopted (and perhaps invented) this idea of the spirit of Christmas is giving. The genius of this is that Americans do not even recognize that the commercialized culture is behind this whole thing. Brands have created this expectation that we should be generous and giving during this time of the year -- and in so doing buy material goods to help others. When people do not do this -- they feel an obvious guilt or uncomfortable feeling that is obvious.
While brands usually target the self interests of others to buy what they want for themselves -- they use the holiday season to touch on emotions and inspire generosity. I do not believe that being generous is a bad thing -- in fact, it is a very good thing. I think it is interesting of the brands manipulate or determine the ways in which you should be generous.
The giving of gifts may have their origin in the magi giving gifts to Christ or that Christ is the ultimate gift -- but consumer culture has ran with this idea and has created the most profitable time of year.
One comedian I listen to said that he is sick of gifts and that when he runs out of ideas he starts breaking things in the house to make it into a gift idea for the next birthday or holiday. While I’ve never done something like that, I can see where he is coming from. The author as well noted the commercialization of the holidays, especially Christmas. I liked the phrase “sleight of hand” in that the programming on television revolves around consumerism and getting joy from buying and giving. Television has a way of pushing buying on us even when they are not commercials. The Christmas shows themselves often make gift giving desirable. At times, it can be a bit ridiculous, like Black Friday, but when done appropriately I think that gift giving is not inherently evil. It’s too bad that we often feel guilted into buying things for others, but with all of the media around us its no wonder we feel that way.
ReplyDeleteAside from feeling totally bombarded with consumeristic messages, the pressure of family and friends to deliver a great gift can be emotionally and financially draining. I compare this situation to something called the Abilene paradox. The Abilene paradox is the story of a few family members that go and visit their relatives on Texas. The day drifts on, when one in the family has the idea to drive three hours away to Abilene to see the sights and get food. The trip is made and the family arrives back a little exhausted. Some start to complain that they never wanted to go, when the person who originally had the idea reveals that they also did not want to go, but wanted everyone to have a good time. So…the family went to Abilene and back without anyone actually wanting to go.
In the same vein, during the holidays we start buying gifts like crazy, when in reality we would prefer, at most, one gift or no gift at all. We end up doing and buying things that nobody wants to do but do anyways because of the situation. The media and television further this paradox, and push us to do things we may not necessarily want to do.
Media is extremely convincing and powerful in shaping our views and opinions. I remember babysitting my niece and nephews and hearing their comments after every toy commercial about how they wanted it and that it was better than the one they had. However, once the holidays come it just gets even worse as the amount of advertising to buy continually increase.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely intrigued by the author’s observing point that many Christmas shows focus on the material aspect of Christmas. I’ve always looked forward to holiday movies and especially the cheesy Hallmark classics. Now looking back and thinking about some of my favorites, i definitely can see that the focus on relationships, family, and food, definitely influenced our spending habits and which activities we participated in.
With holidays, specifically Christmas and Easter, it’s not secret that their true meanings often get lost in the overspending and high consumption culture. Although one of the aspects of these holidays is giving, it seems that our culture just focuses on making children and adults feel guilty if they don’t give to the maximum to all those close to them. With Easter, we once again put our attention to a fictional bunny and the gifts and candy it would bring instead of the resurrection of Christ. These are seasons of want and debt.
The more organizations and companies that can make Christmas and Easter secularized, the more money that can be made. Being a huge gift giver, I have often found myself putting the stress of giving over the true meaning of these special days.