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The Xmas Files: The Philosophy of Christmas
Picture the scene: Aunt Gertrude has just given you the most appalling Christmas tie, complete with snow-flecked kittens in a bowler hat. Do you smile, nod, and confine it to the bottom drawer? Or do you tell the truth and spare yourself future ties from hell?
Kant would say that we must, at all costs, tell the truth - whilst Mill would insist that we should think of the consequences (particularly if Aunt Gertrude is slightly unhinged).
The Xmas Files is a philosophical meander though the myths and rituals of Christmas today, asking such important questions as does Santa exist? What's wrong with Christmas kitsch? Is it all just a commercial racket? What was Augustine's attitude to 'peace on earth' and what would David Hume have to say about the virgin birth?
For underneath all the festive fun, the way we celebrate Christmas does raise serious questions about who we are as a society - about the beliefs that sustain us, and the ways in which we still value ritual and tradition as a means of coming together.
Kant would say that we must, at all costs, tell the truth - whilst Mill would insist that we should think of the consequences (particularly if Aunt Gertrude is slightly unhinged).
The Xmas Files is a philosophical meander though the myths and rituals of Christmas today, asking such important questions as does Santa exist? What's wrong with Christmas kitsch? Is it all just a commercial racket? What was Augustine's attitude to 'peace on earth' and what would David Hume have to say about the virgin birth?
For underneath all the festive fun, the way we celebrate Christmas does raise serious questions about who we are as a society - about the beliefs that sustain us, and the ways in which we still value ritual and tradition as a means of coming together.
150 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Law
69 books104 followersStephen Law is a philosopher who teaches at Heythrop College in the University of London. He also edits the journal THINK, a source of philosophy aimed at the general public, affiliated with The Royal Institute of Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 7, 2019
Stephen looks at various aspects of Christmas through the eyes of philosophy. He discusses the ethics of lying about gifts you didn't like, the morality of eating turkey, kitsch Christmas sentimentality pitfalls, is peace-on-earth a good idea, and so on.
If you collect Christmas books, or you're really into philosophical debates, you might like this book. At the time I bought this, I was a Christmas book collector. I no longer collect Christmas books, and would probably not buy this now. Borrow from the library ... maybe, buy ... no.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
3 Stars = It was 'okay'.
If you collect Christmas books, or you're really into philosophical debates, you might like this book. At the time I bought this, I was a Christmas book collector. I no longer collect Christmas books, and would probably not buy this now. Borrow from the library ... maybe, buy ... no.
One of the books in my daughter's Christmas collection.
3 Stars = It was 'okay'.
December 17, 2020
There are some very big ideas in this book, but it's very readable.
December 20, 2023
While Christmas is invoked in the title of The Xmas Files: The Philosophy of Christmas, author Stephen Law mostly uses the holiday as a springboard to talk academically about a variety of philosophical topics. Do you tell your aunt that you hate the tie she bought you, or keep that a secret? Let's talk about the utility of lying. Christmas revelers wish for "Peace on Earth", but is that really their goal? Let's talk about just war theory. Santa Claus as we know him is a commercial construct of the Coca Cola company in the 1930s - is all this gift exchanging necessary for a healthy economy? A virgin birth would indeed be a miracle - do miracles even exist? Families cook up millions of turkeys for Christmas each year - is it ethical to eat animals?
There are a variety of interesting topics presented, and Law has collected effective quotes and observations, and often phrased his positions in a way that made me think, "I'll have to remember that." Some examples:
- "For if everything requires an explanation, then of course, so does God."
- "There might be fairies at the bottom of the garden. The moon might me made of concrete ... Indeed, the Belgians might turn out to be the secrets rulers of the universe. That's not to deny that the available evidence very strongly suggests otherwise."
- "The Bible says that [Jesus] grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52), which implies that at one time he knew less than he did later."
- Quoting Thomas Paine: "When also I am told that a woman, called the Virgin Mary, said, or gave out, that she was with child without any cohabitation with a man, and that her betrothed husband, Joseph, said that an angel told him so, I have a right to believe them or not: such a circumstance required a much stronger evidence than their bare word for it: but we have not even this; for neither Joseph nor Mary wrote any such matter themselves. It is only reported by others that they said so. It is hearsay upon hearsay, and I do not chose to rest my belief upon such evidence."
- Quoting Woody Allen: "My Lord! My Lord! What hast Thou done lately?"
- "Since the present Pope was ordained in 1978 [this was written in 2003], 464 saints have been canonised. That means that at least 928 miracles have been verified. So, according to the Catholic Church, God continues to make a great many miracles happen."
- "We should actually expect reports, entirely accurate reports, of astonishing happy coincidences from time to time, whether or not God exists."
- "People often make a dire mistake when they first come across this point about the fallibility of scientific reasoning. They conclude that, as scientific reasoning is not 100 per cent reliable, therefore it must be 100 per cent unreliable."
It's a quick [150 page] and digestible book, and a good introduction to some common philosophical conundrums that suggests answers but doesn't hit you over the head with them.
There are a variety of interesting topics presented, and Law has collected effective quotes and observations, and often phrased his positions in a way that made me think, "I'll have to remember that." Some examples:
- "For if everything requires an explanation, then of course, so does God."
- "There might be fairies at the bottom of the garden. The moon might me made of concrete ... Indeed, the Belgians might turn out to be the secrets rulers of the universe. That's not to deny that the available evidence very strongly suggests otherwise."
- "The Bible says that [Jesus] grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52), which implies that at one time he knew less than he did later."
- Quoting Thomas Paine: "When also I am told that a woman, called the Virgin Mary, said, or gave out, that she was with child without any cohabitation with a man, and that her betrothed husband, Joseph, said that an angel told him so, I have a right to believe them or not: such a circumstance required a much stronger evidence than their bare word for it: but we have not even this; for neither Joseph nor Mary wrote any such matter themselves. It is only reported by others that they said so. It is hearsay upon hearsay, and I do not chose to rest my belief upon such evidence."
- Quoting Woody Allen: "My Lord! My Lord! What hast Thou done lately?"
- "Since the present Pope was ordained in 1978 [this was written in 2003], 464 saints have been canonised. That means that at least 928 miracles have been verified. So, according to the Catholic Church, God continues to make a great many miracles happen."
- "We should actually expect reports, entirely accurate reports, of astonishing happy coincidences from time to time, whether or not God exists."
- "People often make a dire mistake when they first come across this point about the fallibility of scientific reasoning. They conclude that, as scientific reasoning is not 100 per cent reliable, therefore it must be 100 per cent unreliable."
It's a quick [150 page] and digestible book, and a good introduction to some common philosophical conundrums that suggests answers but doesn't hit you over the head with them.
October 31, 2025
I would give The Xmas Files a 2.5/5. While I mostly enjoyed the book, some chapter topics (2 and 9) felt underexplored, even within the confines of a short pop-philosophy book. Other chapter topics didn't seem sufficiently closely related to Christmas to be included in a book whose subtitle is "The Philosophy of Christmas". I get the impression that Law wanted to write a book on religion, rather than Christmas specifically. I think Law does a better job with some of his other books, again structured around independent chapters: like "The Philosophy Gym", "What Am I Doing with My Life?", and "The Great Philosophers".
January 24, 2019
This book discusses the different aspects of how Christmas came to be commercialised, from things like the gifts, cards and how Santa is now portrayed in red and white.
October 21, 2012
Really enjoyed this and agreed completely, except for the last few pages, and I can't imagine why he took such a turn there. Law seems, clearly to me, to be an atheist. Why, then, does he suppose that atheists might benefit from attending Christian services? For the sense of community? For spiritual [sic] nourishment? Come on. That's just silly. It's about time we found some grown-up ways to satisfy our emotional needs. (And he seems to lapse into the assumption that everyone's either Christian or atheist.) That said, it's a good read. Very clear. Right on!
November 19, 2014
Well, let's face it: Stephen Law and I are on diametrically opposed planes when it comes to matters of faith and belief. Here he looks at Christmas through the lens of philosophy. He covers everything from gift-giving to the virgin birth to the idea of faith in general.
Philosophy will never be able to 'explain' God (1 Corinthinas 1:25, 3:19). However, in the process of trying, some may find Him, so by all means, try on.
Nice cover - Auguste Rodin's 'The Thinker' wearing a Santa hat and dangling a Christmas ornament.
And my favourite chapter was 'Carving the Roast Beast'.
Philosophy will never be able to 'explain' God (1 Corinthinas 1:25, 3:19). However, in the process of trying, some may find Him, so by all means, try on.
Nice cover - Auguste Rodin's 'The Thinker' wearing a Santa hat and dangling a Christmas ornament.
And my favourite chapter was 'Carving the Roast Beast'.
December 13, 2011
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, in that it really wasn't about Christmas at all. Rather, each chapter started out with something like: "Hey, so people think about this topic during Christmas. So now let's launch into a discussion about that." It was some very very brief intro to philosophy topics basically not at all about Christmas. Disappointing overall, but there were a few good chapters mixed in.
December 22, 2008
Mind blowing. Sure it made me feel like a terrible and ignorant person but it was great!
August 5, 2011
This was an interesting light philosophical read, but don't go taking it as the be all for your thinking - it is just the start.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews