Immigrants Have Mixed Feelings About Christmas

December 19, 2000

Source: The New York Times

On December 19, 2000, The New York Times reported that "[New York City's] newest wave of immigrants, for whom Christianity is often an alien and mystifying religion, have even more radically sliced and cut, discarded what does not work and ignored what is inconvenient to fashion a palatable Christmas. The mutations represent at once the weary resignation of immigrants who must learn to accommodate, yet struggle to cling to the traditions and culture they have left behind." Many immigrants say that they celebrate Christmas as a day off to relax and perhaps exchange gifts, but it is not necessarily a Christian holiday for them. Some enjoy the holiday, because the sales at their shops soar. Many do not understand the meaning of a Christmas tree or Santa Claus. At the same time, however, some go along with the American traditions for the sake of their children. Others, however, do not want their children to believe in these traditions. It is a mixture of emotions that characterizes the new immigrant community.