“Christmas Unwrapped: Santa Claus as an Icon of Grace,” examines the American Christmas in terms of specific icons and representations. Significance is placed on the capitalistic aspect of the American Christmas. Myers suggests that Santa Claus is the main icon of Christmas, portraying a different type of grace compared to Christianity teachings. Myers focuses on the two icons of grace, Christ and Santa Claus, while analyzing their symbolic functions in American society. Realities of the icons set forth complex meanings. Viewing Santa as an icon of grace entails the self-interest aspect of the Christmas season as a central virtue. Christianity views self-interest as a vice in most circumstances. More is better in the symbolic gift bearing image of Santa Claus. Concerning Christianity, comprehending definitive reality advocates life as a gift given in abundance. Santa is a commercial icon. There are several contradictions associated with the symbolism of Santa. He may portray a commercial icon, but he also embodies a familial aspect, all the while promoting the consumption of commodities. Santa Claus as icon persuades people to purchase, while allowing them to practically forget that it is a commercial exchange. This represents what is referred to as mediation of a contradiction. Santa is also seen as an ideological icon. This article proceeds to discuss the history of the Santa Claus narrative. The functions and images of Santa have changed over the years. Myers refers to this transformation of Santa as a “shape-shifter.” This analysis presents Santa Claus as icon of grace, gift giver interceding between inferior and superior groups, mediating figure, and supernatural Saint Nicholas. Through such symbolic functions, Santa‘s mythic status is reinforced. The Santa version of grace contradicts with the Christianity concept of grace. The Santa Claus notion of grace defines capitalistic culture, while the Christianity perception of grace is defined by individuals values from within.

Santino‘s “Halloween: Rite of Season, Rite of Passage,” discusses the pleasing delights of the celebration of Halloween, while emphasizing the distinct ritual aspects. This article displays how Halloween rituals serve a specific role. The celebration of harvest, the joining of friends and family, and the development of new phases of life take place. Santino points out the importance of Halloween. The explanation of how these rituals appeal to our unconscious past lays on the symbolic aspects of Halloween and its significance. Santino emphasizes how even though Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day, the children, often the focused group of revelers (however, in America, this holiday has become highly celebrated by adults) show low recognition of the connection.

This piece proceeds to explain the transformation process of Halloween. Santino shows how Halloween relates more closely to Celtic festival, Samhain than All Saints Day, concerning aspects of spirits. The customs pertaining to Halloween are also different from place to place and time period to time period. Halloween as a rite of passage entails the centering of individuals within a ceremony. The transition of trick-or-treating patterns affect this rite of passage. Santino reiterates that the customs and rituals of Halloween vary according to age. Different activities mark different elements of Halloween as a rite of passage.

Whitaker’s “The Contemporary American Funeral Ritual,” emphasizes the process of bereavement and the ritual of funerals in America. This article refers to Freudian views of personal loss leading to high frustration and possibly aggression. Whitaker explains that the funeral ritual allows for people to channel their aggression. The elements of the American funeral ritual include symbolism, stereotypes, structured and repetitive. Concerning symbolism funerals celebrate the loss of an individual, while the repetitive factor suggests that the process of funerals are uniform throughout the U.S. Referring to stereotypes, Whitaker displays how the specialists officiating enhance funerals tritely. This piece analyzes the five specific stages of the funeral ritual. The post death activities, the viewing of the body, the religious ceremony, the graveside disposition, and the post funeral social events symbolize the pattern involved in this ritual, while supplying the deceased with dignity and respect, and help the survivors pick up the pieces of their lives. This is seen as a vital rite of passage for the deceased, while serving as a rite of passage for the survivors. Unification takes place here. The funeral ritual grants the deceased comfort, while resolving a fraction of the guilt for the survivors.

In “The Living and the Dead,” Warner examines the rituals of Memorial Day as a sacred ceremony in America. This article refers to Memorial Day as a cult of the dead which systematizes and assimilates numerous groups into a “sacred unity.” There are four specific phases of the rituals of Memorial Day, which lead to several formal, symbolic ceremonies. Warner delves in to Memorial Day as a cult of the dead, suggesting that such an American ritual plays on the emotions of its citizens. Warner displays how America may not comprehend the bigger picture. There are several crucial effects of war on communities. Families are effected by experiencing first hand the decision of loved ones going off to war. Groups join together patriotically to evoke feelings of well-being. Memorial Day rites as sacred collective representations is portrayed as a cult system, while a cult of the dead also symbolizes human life sacrifices.

In “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” Wills analyzes the news pieces and representations of Pope John’s visit, consisting of a seven day journey. This particular journey was publicized in a way that even amazes the news world. Wills displays and critiques the media’s portrayal of the pope’s journey, while emphasizing aspects of the Pope’s visit as exceptional and highly prominent. There was no hard news to report, but that was the point. The humanity and effortless goodness was depicted as the important factor of the quest. Finding miracles, portraying Pope as technological faith healer serve as analysis of superstition.

Each article discusses American rituals and their symbolic features. Rites of passages serve as a central theme in each analysis as well. Questions pertaining to analysis arise concerning these articles, demonstrating the considerable amount of material presented.

“Greatest Story” relates to “Christmas Unwrapped” by focusing on the symbolic elements of an image’s interpretation. The idea of Santa Claus as icon and the expressive news of the pope’s special visit fulfill expectations by creating a desirable function of goodness and cheerfulness in their depictions. The pope serves as a true icon of grace; his visit proves the effect he has on communities. Ironically the mass media may swoon over the pope’s visit, but at the same time limit the representation of Nativity scenes.

“Christmas Unwrapped” coincides with aspects of “Halloween” and “American Funeral Rituals” by emphasizing rites of passage. Processes are depicted through patterns and images, allowing for individuals to link certain fantasies and future expectations. Santa’s symbolic function as a mystification in relation to the American Christmas coincides with the amazement of the pope’s visit. Santa’s mythic status is reinforced by his symbolic functions; the pope’s persona and grace is reinforced by his effect on individuals.

Memorial Day ritual analysis relates to each article through the explanations of ritual patterns and expectations. Viewing Memorial Day as a cult system relates to depictions of initial aspects of Santino’s “Halloween,” because it pertains to rituals at times associated with clouded judgments. Memorial Day is also hyped up, but possibly for the wrong reasons. Halloween is highly celebrated and often overly addressed, while also serving with mistaken aspects. Focus on the lives of the fallen soldiers and why and what they died for is sometimes overlooked in the pattern of the ritual of Memorial Day. Jesus is the reason for the season, but Santa gets so much credit commercially. Halloween is the eve of All Saint’s Day, but individuals barely make the connection. These correlations suggest the pull of media aspects on American culture and the effects of the patterns of rituals.

Therapeutic discourse relates to the depictions of such American rituals. Therapeutic discourse refers to the method of communicating that appeals to emotions, rather than provision of facts. Ideological cultural formations formed in “Christmas” and “Halloween” coincide with their ritual patterns. The process of rites of passages

Reporters sending season’s greetings instead of facts plays along the lines of therapeutic discourse, while extending in to the fantasy world of Santa Claus as icon. The five stages of the funeral ritual apply to therapeutic discourse in the sense that this process appeals to the emotional aspects of the process. Each stage of the funeral ritual is a step in the healing process, relating back to emotions.

The significance of rites of passage in American reveals the unity that takes place with each ritual. Views and expectations may vary from ritual to ritual, but the joining together of groups indicates the salience of American ritual purposes.