Christmas is a day in the Roman calendar month of December. It is the 25th day, to be exact, but many people recognize it as starting on the 24th. It is a holiday in the Christian religion, celebrating the birth of their lord Jesus. It is the Winter Solstice, as the pagans celebrated it. It occurs during the Jewish holiday of Hannukah, and about the same time as the African holiday of Kwanzaa. In America, it is the chance for stores and malls to open their doors wide to the rush of consumers, wanting to get a certain item or items for their friends and family. It is recognized by such fantastical characters as Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

But what is Christmas to you? Is it that time of the year that you give and receive gifts, usually curious items that will not be used? Is it a time of fellowship? Being with friends and family? Is it a time of shopping? Or is it something else? Is it the time of year that you celebrate Christ’s birth? Or are you an atheist, celebrating it as a secular holiday? Or do you not celebrate it at all? Or do you celebrate Hannukah? Or Kwanzaa?

While it matters to you what Christmas means to you, the entire world sees it as a change, not only of the seasonal weather, but also of the consumption and of the other viewers.