Christmas

Christmas by Max Beerbohm (1910)

The work presents a critical reflection on the modern celebration of Christmas, contrasting it with a nostalgic view of the holiday as it was experienced in earlier centuries. The narrator expresses a distaste for the commercialization and ostentation that have come to define contemporary Christmas festivities. He observes that the holiday has lost its warmth and kindness, becoming a display of wealth and social status, particularly in affluent areas. The narrator's musings are interspersed with personal anecdotes and historical references, illustrating his preference for the past over the present. He reminisces about Christmas gatherings with notable figures from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, highlighting a sense of loss for the simplicity and genuine spirit of those times. The modern Christmas, in his view, is tainted by a lack of authenticity, where the joy of giving is overshadowed by materialism and social competition. He critiques the behavior of the wealthy, exemplified by a woman in a motor car, who embodies the arrogance and disconnect of the affluent class. This encounter serves as a catalyst for his broader commentary on societal values, suggesting that the true essence of Christmas has been compromised by a culture that prioritizes status over community and kindness. The narrator also touches on the presence of Jewish communities in England, advocating for a more inclusive celebration of Christmas that respects the diversity of the population. He argues that while it is important to celebrate the holiday, it should not be done in a manner that alienates or disregards those who do not share the same traditions. Ultimately, the work is a lament for a bygone era, critiquing the superficiality of modern celebrations while yearning for a return to the genuine spirit of Christmas that fosters connection and goodwill among all people. The narrator's reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the holiday's original values amidst the pressures of contemporary society.

By Max Beerbohm · First published 1910 · Genre: Essay, Satire, Social Commentary · 1,340 words

First lines

One likes it or not. This said, there is plaguey little else to say of Christmas, and I (though I doubt my sentiments touch you not at all) would rather leave that little unsaid. Did I confess a distaste for Christmas, I should incur your enmity. But if I find it, as I protest I do, rather agreeable than otherwise, why should I spoil my pleasure by stringing vain words about it? Swift and the broomstick -- yes. But that essay was done at the behest of a clever woman, and to annoy the admirers of Robert Boyle. Besides, it was hardly -- or do you think it was? -- worth the trouble of doing it. There was no trouble involved? Possibly. But I am not the Dean. And anyhow the fact that he never did anything of the kind again may be taken to imply that he would not be bothered. So would not I, if I had a deanery.

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Christmas is listed on Textopian as a short story by Max Beerbohm, dated 1910 CE.

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Satire · Humor · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Short Stories · Christmas Theme · British Literature · 20th Century Literature · Novella · Comedy of Manners · Irony · Wit

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