Many people have fond memories of Christmas festivities. However, people of other cultures and religions often feel left out because of the absence of their culture amid the Christmas flurry of advertising and entertainment.
Some religious organizations feel like Christmas should be solely a religious observance as compared to a religious observance and a national holiday.
Doug Cupples, University of Memphis history instructor, said that he feels that Christmas is indelibly etched into the American psyche.
"I think it should be left as is," he said. "It is an observance that goes deep into American history."
Cupples said that the holiday season gives Americans a bond.
Jeff Jones, a Baptist collegiate campus minister, feels strongly about Christmas' role in the U.S. past.
"Christmas is a part of the American heritage and the two are so intertwined that you can't get rid of it without getting rid of a part of American history," Jones said.
Another reason why some people say that Christmas should exclusively be a religous observance is because of other holidays during that time such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
"I think we should celebrate the diversity of every religion," Jones said. "At my kid's school, they hold a program honoring Hanukkah, Kwanzaa as well as Christmas."
Some other people feel that the other religions should be included in their accord.
"I would leave it up to those cultures to decide whether or not they would want to be inclusive in the Christmas season," said Charles Miller, a senior business economic major.
Cupples said he believed that everyone should be included.
"It should be made more inclusive to the Christmas holiday," Cupples said. "Most people already do that anyway."
Holiday consumerism is another reason why the season has disillusioned some people.
"Capitalism has cheapened some things, but for me as a Christian, Christmas means Christ," Jones said.
He said at his home, during Christmas they read the story of Jesus' birth and even make Jesus a birthday cake as a way to remind their children that the birth of Christ was the original reason for the season.
Miller agreed.
"I feel like people should recognize the holiday for its true meaning," he said. "It is more than gift-giving and receiving."
Cupples said that despite their religious affiliations people feel the need to be kind toward another.
"Goodwill comes the heart and not what people do," he said.
