Though the material aspect of Christmas can be distracting, students and faculty share family memories and focusing on symbols of the Savior can keep Christ in Christmas.
Stephanie Marcum, a faculty of religious education special instructor, said, “Christ is central to everything we do and everything we get to be. Focusing the holiday on Him is why we have the holiday.”
Angela Morales, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in political science, said some people could view giving or receiving lots of presents as materialistic, but giving gifts is part of some cultures. Morales explained in her family culture, giving gifts is a way to express love for one another.
While Morales agreed it is easy to get caught up in celebrations during Christmas and forget why Christmas is celebrated, it also brings families together.
“You get so distracted about merry-making … the focus isn’t on Christ anymore. It’s all about the celebration. However, it does bring families [together]. For me, bringing families together during the holidays is one of the best ways to remember Christ and what he did. The Atonement brings families together forever. I think a lot of people don’t realize that.”
Charlotte Kennington, a sophomore from Belgium studying elementary education, said she believes Christmas has become too materialistic in some aspects.
“In society, there is a lot of consumer products, and it’s a good time of year to make money because everyone is trying to show they love each other by buying gifts. [Christmas] is a way to make money off of people. It shouldn’t be, but it is.”
Kennington said campaigns started by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as Light the World help remind people of the real meaning of Christmas.
“It really is a time of gratitude, being thankful and showing love towards one another. It’s not just about ourselves and what we can gain from it.”
According to comeuntochrist.com, “Light the World is an invitation to transform Christmas into a season of service … We follow the example of Jesus Christ by ministering to others one by one—just like He did.”
Marcum said while the overall world has commercialized Christmas, it is up to people to see Christ in all the various Christmas traditions.
“I think we can still do those things that are commercial and fun, especially when we look at why. What is the symbolism, and why are we doing that?”
Marcum said decorations like Christmas trees have symbolism and can remind us of Christ. According to churchofjesuschrist.org, evergreen trees, commonly used during Christmas, stay green throughout the winter, which represents everlasting life.
While discussing how to remember Christ during the Christmas festivities, Morales said it is also important to remember the Savior all year round, not just during the holidays.
“I think remembering the Savior in your everyday life … makes all the difference instead of at a one-time event.”
She said one way she tries to remember Christ during the rest of the year is by reading the Book of Mormon and finishing it on Christmas Day. Morales said she started this tradition on accident when she was reading the Book of Mormon for the first time and happened to finish it on Christmas.
“I feel like that’s my best birthday present for my Savior.”