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Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...
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Christmas Was Once a Symbol of Joy

 


Christmas was once a symbol of joy, sharing, and spirituality, but now it seems to have gradually transformed under the heavy influence of consumerism. This festivity, originally focused on values such as love and solidarity, is now quite often reflected in a frenetic rush toward expensive gifts and the latest commercial offers. This metamorphosis has led to several consequences that deserve careful reflection.


First, consumerism has turned Christmas into a more expensive and showy gift rush. The joy of giving and receiving has transformed into anxiety related to the monetary value of gifts. Christmas ads and shop windows push you to look for the perfect gift, often measuring its value based on price rather than intrinsic meaning. This trend has made this festivity more stressful for many people, turning the act of giving away into a competition of social status rather than a gesture of affection and thought.

Secondly, consumerism has contributed to the massification of Christmas celebrations. Unique and meaningful traditions are often sacrificed on the altar of commercialization. Families are increasingly inclined to follow the fashions and trends dictated by the market rather than maintain their own rooted traditions. The homogenization of Christmas celebrations has contributed to a loss of authenticity, with many people feeling obliged to conform to an imposed standard, rather than celebrating Christmas in an authentic and personal way.


Thirdly, consumerism has accentuated economic pressure during the Christmas holidays. Expectations of expensive gifts and lavish dinners can put a strain on the family budget. The constant drive to spend more than they can to meet social standards has led to an increase in debt and financial stress during the Christmas period. Instead of focusing on meaningful moments and human connection, many people find themselves trapped in a spiral of excessive spending that can have long-term repercussions.

Finally, another worrying sign of this consumer drift is the tendency of children to stop writing letters to Santa Claus. While in the past, these letters were full of simplicity and desires related to the essence of Christmas, today children may feel influenced by advertising and desire mainly trendy consumer goods. This change not only reflects the growing commercialization of the holiday but could also deprive children of the magic and innocence that should characterize the Christmas period.

In conclusion, consumerism has made significant changes to the way we celebrate Christmas: the rush to expensive gifts, the massification of celebrations, and economic pressure are just some of the challenges that people face this season. Looking to the future, if we continue to indulge in unbridled consumerism, we may find ourselves in a vicious circle in which the intrinsic value of Christmas will be increasingly eroded. Meaningful traditions could be supplanted by a continuous race towards the purchase of material goods, with the risk of losing sight of authentic moral values.

Reducing the emphasis on expensive gifts, enhancing family traditions, and focusing on human relationships could be crucial steps to preserving the essence of this holiday. In this way, we can build a Christmas more centered on human values, resisting the intrusiveness of consumerism and ensuring that this ancient celebration retains its authenticity and deep meaning.

Today's Blogger

My name is Carola Micocci, a dreamer who draws inspiration from the world of painting. With an adventurous spirit and a profound passion for art, I express my experiences and reflections in my school blog, striving to capture the beauty of the world through both my brush and the words I craft.

 

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Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...
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