Christmas is here, and the 300Magazine team wants to use this unique opportunity to congratulate all our partners and committed readers on this jolly holiday. We wish you a Merry Christmas in the warm circle of your loved ones. Here, we take a moment to dive deeper into the evolution of Christmas aesthetics and explore the long way it has passed from sacred iconography to a commercial spectacle.

Early Christmas Imagery in the Western World

The Christmas festivity has been a central part of the Christian faith for centuries. A unique aura of theology, ritual, and reverence has always surrounded this holiday. Christian altarpieces, icons depicting the scene of Jesus Christ’s nativity, and illuminated religious manuscripts all served the spiritual goal of expressing devotion to the Savior. Symbolic artefacts filled the celebration, creating an image of humility and divinity.

Both the Middle Ages images and Renaissance paintings feature the Christmas scenes with meticulous details and care. Gold leaves, finely layered pigments, and lapis lazuli work in tandem to give the sacred moment of Jesus Christ’s birth a vibe of transcendence. These images are slow and contemplative, rewarding introspection and a search for spiritual meaning.

Christmas as a Modern Commodity

What is Christmas today? Though many people still attribute spiritual meaning to this holiday, the sacred has also been turned into the commercial. Digital advertisements, decorated storefronts, and idealized images of branded home warmth immerse people in the consumerist aesthetic of Christmas celebration. Today, Christmas is more about instantly recognizable images of trees, snowflakes, green and red present packaging, and glossy finishes.

This commercialization trend has also found a reflection in art. Some artists amplify Christmas cliches by using oversized ornaments and artificial snow to expose the underlying nonsense of consumerism. Others stress the oppressive abundance of festive décor that distracts people from the spiritual element of the holiday and removes generosity from it. Yet, there is still a space for slow, minimalist Christmas artefacts created in a hand-crafted tradition to resist the polish of commercialization and share the intimacy of festive moments.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy Your Christmas the Way You Like

What comes to your mind when you hear, “Merry Christmas”? For some, this holiday is about pausing for a moment and giving tribute to the spiritual in their lives. For others, it is a synonym for a shopping season and striking festive décor. Whatever you associate with Christmas, we wish you to celebrate it in a way you love.