Why didn't I notice this before?
Just now, it seems I finally see a relation to the last three major US holidays, Halloween(Samhain in my book), Thanksgiving, and Christmas(Yule). Samhain seems to focus mostly on the past, what's come and gone, especially deceased loved one and times past.
Thanksgiving seems to focus primarily on the present, giving thanks for what at least still remains, maybe with a small backwards glance for what's been.
Maybe that's why Christmas is such a popular holiday for the US. It seems to focus primarily on the future, which in the US seems to be a more pleasant thing to focus on. Return of the sun, being born again, presents, commercialism, everything that makes America great.
Thanksgiving seems to focus primarily on the present, giving thanks for what at least still remains, maybe with a small backwards glance for what's been.
Maybe that's why Christmas is such a popular holiday for the US. It seems to focus primarily on the future, which in the US seems to be a more pleasant thing to focus on. Return of the sun, being born again, presents, commercialism, everything that makes America great.