Yes, I think it is almost entirely a commercial enterprise at this point. And before that it was an attempt to overtake one religion by another. And before that it was a pagan holiday.
If you're asking me to make a judgement about that fact, then keep in mind this isn't exactly like...a moral judgement or something to that nature:
Everyone knows and if you don't, hey, nice rock you have there, that suicides go up around holidays and particularly go up around Christmas. Theory crafting leads to two conclusions on my part: people feel more alone during the holidays and people see the deeply shallow the average person's expression of love for fellow humans is and this drives them to off themselves.
Now the first is obvious really, and a true tragedy. The fact is, not everyone has someone for the holidays or in their daily life, but during points when the message of love, togetherness, and family is like the gay bdsm pride parade (loud and proud) tends to have the effect of harming those who are alone. It's a blameless tragedy really.
But the commercial aspect is far more sinister and subtle. It's sorta like facebook likes and feeling as if one is an interesting and worthwhile person. If gifts and cards and party invites are suddenly the very real currency by which affection and love are expressed, then money ultimately becomes both actually and metaphorically the currency by which love is expressed.
And whether you buy into it or not, I think we can all mostly agree on some fundamental level, we wish to believe that love and the expression of love goes far beyond a dollar sign. (The idea of prostitution is not far off in my mind as I say this.) There is something intrinsically icky and wrong seeming about expressing togetherness, love, appreciation, and sincerity via spending money.
And don't get me wrong, I'm sure almost all of you were thoughtful with your gifts to the people you love most. And really, that's so great and I'm so happy for you. But think about this truly: how would you show your family and your significant other and close friends you loved them if the spending of money for goods and services were off the table? Maybe words. Maybe you'd make them something with your own hands. Maybe you'd take them for a walk and compare their existence to a tree full of beautiful winter birds to show them the beauty and splendor they bring into your life every day. I don't even know the creativity that would be on display for that it would be so great. But instead, you can get them a starbucks gift card because they love starbucks and you always go there and aren't they and you and starbucks lovely.
And maybe on some level this is fine...except that if you think about it, gifts are always the way we say someone is special. Objects. Physical junk we paid way too much for. It isn't just Christmas. It's everything. Christmas is the big, gaudy flagship of the whole idea in the first place. But it's the air we breathe at this point. Saying I love you sincerely without a card or some knick knack is unthinkable. And to return to my suicide point which seems lost now, I think for some people, realizing that they live in a world where almost no one will be able to express their true love and appreciation without target or the mall is so disheartening and depressing that a quick fall and splat seems...better?
As if that weren't enough, there is then the fact so much of it is shallow in service to apparently expressing something true. The decor, the big meal, the wrapped gifts, the trees, etc being paired with family togetherness. Maybe my family is the only dysfunctional one on the planet, but suddenly we're all so cheery and pretend nice for Christmas. We pretend that this isn't the fifth time this year we've all seen each other because my dad feels unloved and rejected by his parents. We pretend this isn't the third time we've seen my mum's parents because her mum is a nosy wench who disrespects my father and I so regularly that he banned her from his house and very nearly refused to let her see her grandchildren ever. We pretend this isn't the only time we see our cousins because we're nothing alike and a disconnected family. My brother and his girlfriend come over and act as if there isn't a huge rift between them and my family. We go home and pretend that my mother and father didn't fight over having christmas in the first place because he hates it and she used to like it. We pretend we pretend we pretend. Because it's christmas mother****ers. We're all supposed to be together and happy and loving and peace on ****ing earth let's eat some ham.
It's all a really nice package on a big fat lie. And why is the lie there? Because we all really need a chance to remember to love each other? Got some bitter pills for you. If you aren't expressing in subtle gestures and true words every day the fact you like the people in your life...maybe you should start that and stop waiting for an arbitrarily chosen cultural money making machine day to do it. And if you are....welll...you really need one more day for it all that includes chocolate snowmen in ugly sweaters riding reindeer and lying to children about a fat home invader?
Your move, Kirk Cameron.
