The Gift of Tales: Exploring Christmas Stories
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
In this article, we embark on a journey through the heartwarming tales, timeless classics, and cherished legends that define the spirit of Christmas. From fireside fables that kindle the warmth of togetherness to tales of generosity that echo the season’s goodwill, join us as we unwrap the gift of stories that make this festive season truly special.
“December, more than any other month of the year, is a time to look back, to see how far we have come and go gather ourselves together before we go any further. This is a part of the true meaning of Christmas; we gather ourselves together to remember, to commemorate, and to celebrate. The stories we tell are gifts we give to each other and to ourselves. Christmas, then, is about showing the love that is felt all year, in the bleak midwinter, as the frosty winds blow, and the earth stands still and cold [1] .”
According to Haven Today [2] , “all of the best strategies center around the main one that God has given us to learn and remember who He is and what He has done: storytelling. In this Word, God has told us the most amazing story of his son, coming to earth as a baby, to be a savior for sinners like us, who can’t stop doing bad things- and who can’t even do the good things that we want to do. It sounds absurd, but that’s precisely what makes it so wonderful.”
On the other hand, Medium [3] considers, “the influence of stories on children’s lives is very big. Through topics that deal with friendship, family and interpersonal relations, stories stimulate children’s socioemotional development. They also have a major influence on the speech development because they enrich children’s vocabulary and communication skills.”
Why Holiday stories matter? The New York Times [4] affirms, “this time of the year, the stories that most unite us are fantasies in which we are not (except as small children) asked to put our faith. Unlike, say, the biblical accounts of Adam and Eve and the birth of Jesus, these festive tales generally do not draw masses of faithful who insist as a point of dogma on their literal truth. On the contrary, either our playful seasonal stories are clearly understood from the start to be fictional or, in the case of Santa Claus, they become fictional in time.”
In conclusion, the enchantment of Christmas lies not only in the twinkling lights and festive decorations but also in the timeless stories that echo through the holiday season. As we have delved into the rich tapestry of Christmas narratives, we have discovered that these stories are more than just tales, they are living, breathing traditions that bind families and communities.
[1]https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/why-do-we-tell-christmas-stories/30815239.html#:~:text=This%20is%20part%20of%20the,each%20other%20and%20to%20ourselves.
[2]https://haventoday.org/blog/the-importance-of-christmas-stories/
[3]https://medium.com/@TutoTod/on-the-importance-of-christmas-storytelling-b4ff2fbbd9e7
[4]https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/opinion/holiday-stories.html