In my opinion, Christmas is, undistinguishable in current society from its religious importance for many people, a very prominent economic event. Gifts, new outfits, celebratory purchases, all those family visits mean shopping and spending in every level, from nails done to groceries for 20 people. Traditionally, there’s also extra money to spend (bonuses and stuff, either end-of-year unofficial ones or mandatory by law).
Note: Saint’s days celebrations are very important here, especially the patron saints of prominent cities. Salonica’s (Northern Greece) patron saint day is October 26th. A (stain of a) Minister that we (are deeply unfortunate to) have, basically admitted that they left Salonica open in Autumn because they didn’t dare close down the city and prevent the patron day celebration. Northern Greece is struggling, really struggling with cases right now. I wonder what the superspreader event was, hm.
Festivities always mean spending one way or another, holly festivities usually include institutional as well as personal spending (by the way, Christmas lights and decorations is a traditional way to line Greek mayor pockets, I don’t know about yours).
Church (all of them are powerful financial institutions, and you’ll find them in boards you wouldn’t believe, but I’m mostly talking about our Monolithic one) is a vector for most people’s actions. If milestone holidays and church events aren’t strong enough to pull people away from official government directions, their power is de facto lessened (not in so may words, but they basically say so). And of course all the money that revolves around those holidays that makes a steady stream of income for the church, it needs to flow.
I can confidently say for ours, that this last event with Epiphany was another show of power. Who can make the people do as they say (spoiler, government was sent home with its backside bruised). And the reason power is demonstrated is, in direct or indirect ways, always for some kind of profit.
I believe the Christmas milestone was important in our minds (the same way Easter way early on in this disaster, and then Summer, and then Southern hemisphere Summer…) as a psychological reason. Because we are tired and disheartened and worried.
But for the decision makers, the milestone was important for end-of-year profits, (utter uselessness in leadership, I mean, simple stupidity is a factor we shouldn’t leave out), and bosses becoming restless with all they money they are losing (and having to pretend they struggle with quarantine in mansions or in vacations abroad). They can only pretend to care for so long.
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