Christmas Unwrapped offers a fascinating interpretation of the American Christmas from the perspectives of cultural studies, theology, and biblical studies. The editors' central argument is that Christmas - with its attendant mythology (Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street), icons (Santa Claus), and rituals (gift-giving, holiday concerts, Christmas shopping) - has become a new religion in America, the religion of consumer capitalism. As the contributors to this lucid and accessible critque of American culture demonstrate, Jesus definitely is not the reason for the season.

Product Information

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Title: Christmas Unwrapped: Consumerism, Celluloid, Christ,
By: Richard Horsley and James Tracy eds.
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 208
Vendor: Trinity Press International
Publication Date: 2001

Dimensions: 8.50 X 5.50 (inches)
Weight: 12 ounces
ISBN: 1563383195
ISBN-13: 9781563383199
Stock No: WW383195

Publisher's Description

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"Christmas Unwrapped" offers a fascinating critique of the American Christmas from the perspectives of cultural studies, theology, and biblical studies. The central argument is that Christmas--with its attendant mythology, icons, and rituals--has become a new religion in America: the religion of consumer capitalism.

Author Bio

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Richard A. Horlsey is Professor of Classics and Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He is author of Galilee: History, Politics, People; Archaeology, History, and Society in Galilee: The Social Context of Jesus and the Rabbis; and editor of Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Roman Imperial Society, all published by Trinity Press.