As Christmas celebrations persist in a culture where fewer people go to church Pam Dickey Young, expert in religious studies and culture, can explain why many symbols that we associate with Christmas have such great staying power – especially in a world experiencing political and economic turmoil. 
“Christmas and its symbols – such as angels, lights and trees – continue to be popular in a secularized culture because of their association with more general themes like peace and love, and because they evoke a nostalgic idealism for ‘better’ times,” says Dr. Dickey Young.
She is a professor of religious studies and teaches courses in religion and culture at Queen’s.
To arrange an interview contact Molly Kehoe, molly.kehoe@queensu.ca, 613.533.2877, or Alissa Clark, alissa.clark@queensu.ca, 613.533.6000 ext 77513, Queen’s News and Media Services