By Erik Root, Chronicles, December 13, 2024
Erik Root, Ph.D., is a writer living in North Carolina where he maintains a YouTube channel called American Savage Garage.
Biden White House Christmas 2024. Source. White house. X
We have much to be thankful for this Christmas season. November delivered one of the most resounding defeats to the forces standing against America and her people. Trump’s victory greets us this year as a Jubilee. Nearly everywhere in our vast expanse, the people are relieved and the ruling class is apoplectic. That fact, alone, is one confirmation that we should be very thankful indeed.
Two hundred years ago, Christmas was not a national holiday in quite the same way that we celebrate it today. In fact, throughout much of the 19th century, Christmas was celebrated only in certain enclaves of America and, even then, only by the old and original Christian Church. It became a nationally recognized holiday only after the Civil War, and particularly when then President Grant designated it as such. Gradually, a market around Christmas (especially in the sale of decorations) developed until the growing popularity of Christmas festivities eclipsed Thanksgiving.
Before Christmas became our most popular holiday, the two truly American celebrations were Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Technically, Thanksgiving is the oldest American celebration of all, dating back to the Pilgrims. And even after Christmas became popular, it used to be that there would be little Christmas marketing until after Thanksgiving Day. …
