Christmas always brings out the cynics in modern times and it is no wonder.
Children grow up watching Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, or some other fairy tale, but seeing their parents divorce, political leaders lie, and hearing “grown up” media sneer at their movies. Disney promises that if they follow their heart, then all their dreams will come true. But even if they get what they want for Christmas, it is never as good as the advertisement. 
It is lie that all wishes come true and it is an even greater lie that it would be wonderful if they did. Kids don’t have to be very old to become cynics.
Traditional fantasy is so far removed from modern reality that it breeds cynicism and despair in young adults. The commercialization of the great tales makes the situation worse. A nine year old knows that the film has been shaped to sell toys, video games, and Happy Meals and not for the love of children or the art. Most commercials are simply lies and teach Americans to distrust anyone selling anything.
Increased wealth is not leading to greater happiness for those who possess it despite the promises of media. Educational opportunities have exploded, but many college graduates are ill read. Suicide is up and the wealthiest members of American culture cannot even be bothered to reproduce themselves. Feminism increased choices for women, but now as many of one quarter of female college students suffer from eating disorders.
Secular college students stopped dating long ago, seeking the perfect orgasm rather than a soul mate. On the surface, romance is out and light porn like Wedding Crashers is in, but when nobody is watching feminist college women play and replay Sense and Sensibility . . . and even Wedding Crashers has a happy, romantic ending. Students may believe the couple at the end of the film will eventually break up in an acrimonious divorce like their parents, but they don’t want to see it.
Narnia, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and King Kong rule the box office with their ancient fairy tale sensibilities and sexual harassment rules in school and office are not so different after all than courtly chivalry. It is still mostly women who rightly wish to be protected from brutal sexuality and it is men who must be civilized and learn to do their duty. Making a baby still requires a male and a female someplace along the line and the most modern student feels bitter towards selfish parents.
Moderns cannot give up on love even though it produces mostly pain. We mostly celebrate Christmas, even if it mostly lets us down. Cynicism is shallow and can never keep out hope. The viewer hurts when Buffy cannot marry Angel or this year’s perfect Hollywood couple breaks up. One part of moderns clings to the belief that any door could lead to Narnia and that disasters in life are just tornados to Oz.
Fairy tales seem obviously false, but they still resonate. Most young adults learn to roll their eyes at sentiment, it is safest to do so, but they still write maudlin poetry on blog sites. Despite sophisticated skepticism, many grown up Virginias still try to believe in Santa and Christmas. Many lonely Americans flock to E-harmony wanting to find a soul mate even though they mock themselves for trying. Most wish they could believe the ugly duckling can become a swan, any boy could discover that he is a long lost Jedi, deep friendships like those on Serenity are possible, and there is forever-love for them like Jack and Rose on Titanic.
Atheism cannot captivate as it continues to degenerate into weary nineteenth century attacks on the “Sky God” and Christmas . . . and was it chooses the Holidays to start a public campaign to encourage blasphemy. It is a sterile movement.
Is there any hope of living happily ever after?
Only if there is more to Christmas than Santa and toys and ginger bread. . . only if the Peace on Earth is more than a marketing slogan. . . and if the Joy to the World really rang from heaven and not just from a mall loud speaker.
Christmas reminds us that some fairy tales are not just true metaphysically, but physically. But more on that tomorrow. . .