Jungian and Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Christmas

By examining its history, traditions, symbols, and representation in the arts through the lens of three major schools of depth psychology, Kendrick L. Norris, a Jungian Analyst and minister, shows how better understanding of the promise of Christmas can allow us to discover what it is we long for most. Why does the winter celebration of Christmas have such a deep-rooted resonance, individually and collectively? This extensively researched book clearly and engagingly articulates the soul reasons why this holiday has such a significant impact on the human psyche. The work begins with an explanation about how depth psychology can be used to understand the Christmas phenomenon, followed by an investigation into the origins and symbols of Christmas. The book closes by delving into the soul meaning of Christmas through the perspectives of Freud, Kohut, and Jung. This volume will appeal to Jungian Analysts, psychoanalysts, and psychotherapists, as well as those interested in religion and its relation to depth psychology.