Content. Introduction

II.2 Charles Dickens, Father of Modern Christmas

Today families around the world gathered around a Christmas tree to open gifts. This tradition seems as old as the holiday itself, but in reality these practices—and many others—are relatively new inventions. And Charles Dickens can be credited with introducing or popularizing some of our favorite elements of the Christmas holiday By the time Dickens came of age, celebrating Christmas had fallen by the wayside in most households. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, countless families had immigrated to the city. By the latter part of the eighteenth century, the holiday was in decline. There were two primary reasons for the shift. First, the traditional Christmas celebration lasted twelve days, and most people simply couldn't afford to take that much time off work. Second, people were reluctant to celebrate the holiday according to their own traditions because appearing different or foreign could result in ostracism. At the same time, they were suspicious of new, unfamiliar traditions. A similar shift had happened in the United States, as well. Dickens was not the only author to lament the loss of Christmas as a holiday. As he and his cohorts came of age, they often looked back wistfully on the joyful celebrations of their childhood. Sir Walter Scott (1808) and Washington Irving (1820) both expressed disappointment in the disappearance of Christmas. Then two works grabbed popular attention. In 1833, William Sandy published Selection of Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern. Four years later, Thomas K Hervey wrote The Book of Christmas. This was the start of a Christmas revival. Victorian England was primed for a new vision of a timeless holiday, and Dickens stepped in at the right moment. The beloved author built upon his own childhood memories and his socially conscious worldview, introducing a true paradigm shift about what Christmas actually meant.Before the Victorian era, Christmas celebrations had been rather community focused. But Dickens, always concerned with the joys and challenges of childhood, changed Christmas into a much more child-centered holiday. Dickens explored the lives of children in so many of his works, and A Christmas Carol was no exception. Ebenezer Scrooge recalls scenes of loneliness from his own childhood, which are juxtaposed with images of Tiny Tim. The idea of paying special attention to children at Christmas came directly from Dickens' personal life; his daughter Mamie recalls that every year Dickens took the children to buy toys on Christmas day. As they got older, she said, that tradition came to an end.We also find in Tiny Tim and his family the personification of poverty. Dickens firmly believed that Christmas was an opportune time to show care for the poor. Indeed, Dickens worked year round as a philanthropist and frequently advised his wealthy brethren to make charitable donations. Again, in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is almost explicitly to blame for Tiny Tim's precarious condition, which also illustrates Dickens' belief that the wealthy must bear responsibility for those less fortunate. Dickens' neighbors didn't always agree, especially when the author hosted parties for members of the lower class in his own home. Over time, however, Christmas became a time for remembering the needs of others; take the Salvation Army, which solicits donations most actively during the holiday season. Coincidentally, the Salvation Army was a product of Victorian England. Dickens certainly introduced a new understanding of the meaning of Christmas. His Christmas stories also gave rise to holiday traditions that now feel like they've always been part of our celebrations. Christmas all but ForgottenBy the time Dickens came of age, celebrating Christmas had fallen by the wayside in most households. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, countless families had immigrated to the city. By the latter part of the eighteenth century, the holiday was in decline. There were two primary reasons for the shift. First, the traditional Christmas celebration lasted twelve days, and most people simply couldn't afford to take that much time off work. Second, people were reluctant to celebrate the holiday according to their own traditions because appearing different or foreign could result in ostracism. At the same time, they were suspicious of new, unfamiliar traditions. A similar shift had happened in the United States, as well.
Dickens was not the only author to lament the loss of Christmas as a holiday. As he and his cohorts came of age, they often looked back wistfully on the joyful celebrations of their childhood. Sir Walter Scott (1808) and Washington Irving (1820) both expressed disappointment in the disappearance of Christmas. Then two works grabbed popular attention. In 1833, William Sandy published Selection of Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern. Four years later, Thomas K Hervey wrote The Book of Christmas. This was the start of a Christmas revival.Dickens Brings Fresh Focus to the HolidayVictorian England was primed for a new vision of a timeless holiday, and Dickens stepped in at the right moment. The beloved author built upon his own childhood memories and his socially conscious worldview, introducing a true paradigm shift about what Christmas actually meant.Before the Victorian era, Christmas celebrations had been rather community focused. But Dickens, always concerned with the joys and challenges of childhood, changed Christmas into a much more child-centered holiday. Dickens explored the lives of children in so many of his works, and A Christmas Carol was no exception. Ebenezer Scrooge recalls scenes of loneliness from his own childhood, which are juxtaposed with images of Tiny Tim. The idea of paying special attention to children at Christmas came directly from Dickens' personal life; his daughter Mamie recalls that every year Dickens took the children to buy toys on Christmas day. As they got older, she said, that tradition came to an end.
We also find in Tiny Tim and his family the personification of poverty. Dickens firmly believed that Christmas was an opportune time to show care for the poor. Indeed, Dickens worked year round as a philanthropist and frequently advised his wealthy brethren to make charitable donations. Again, in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is almost explicitly to blame for Tiny Tim's precarious condition, which also illustrates Dickens' belief that the wealthy must bear responsibility for those less fortunate. Dickens' neighbors didn't always agree, especially when the author hosted parties for members of the lower class in his own home. Over time, however, Christmas became a time for remembering the needs of others; take the Salvation Army, which solicits donations most actively during the holiday season. Coincidentally, the Salvation Army was a product of Victorian England.