Samuel had his first picture with Santa this year, appropriately so since it is his first Christmas. As you can see, it is not your typical Santa picture, since this Santa is Chamorro, and also dressed in tropical garb.
Anyway, it made me think a little bit. At best, the Chamorro Santa picture is fun, an entertaining reminder of our first child's first Christmas. At worst, though, it represents the invasion of Western culture throughout the world, often at cost of other cultures. Also it could represent how this Christmas icon often replaces the celebration of the birth of Christ, even in the far reaches of the Pacific.
Anyway, I didn't perseverate on this too much because I know the event was harmless in itself. However, I did feel the picture deserved at least a little reflection rather than simply posting it saying, "here is Samuel with Chamorro Santa!" The picture is pretty cute, though, don't you think :)
1 comment:
Hi,
Here in Italy they don't do picture with Santa but do have Santa image. Yes, the picture is very cute! I can't believe that Samuel is almost 7 months! I think his cheeks have grown too! As to the thought of Christmas meaning, at least it's still called Christmas. In Soviet Union we only had New Year's and only few believers(like my grandma) would still celebrate Christmas which in in Orthodox calender January 7th. Only in 1992 they finaly allow national holiday on that day.
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