Community & The Meaning of Christmas: A Video Essay

Here's a potentially contentious reading of a beloved Christmas special.
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#community #sixseasonsandamovie #videoessay
In Community Season 2, Episode 11, "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas", Abed decides he and the group must rediscover the meaning of Christmas when he awakes in stop-motion animation; Britta and Jeff become concerned about Abed's mental health.

[@PillarofGarbage]

The _real_ meaning of Christmas is, of course, the Pillar of Garbage Patreon. Here's a link! Be fulfilled! Merry happy! www.patreon.com/pillarofgarbage

[@waywardlaser]

"The meaning of Christmas is that Christmas has meaning, and it can mean whatever we want." Is such a simple yet profound observation about the holiday.

[@TroyTheObtuse]

We have very different takes on Duncan. I don't see him as arguing that Christmas is meaningless. I see him as trying to help Abed and, perhaps especially, trying to get published.

[@lukemalone22]

I see Pillar of Garbage posting a video about Community, I watch. I'm a simple man.

[@natsmith303]

I've never seen Community, but I swear you're going to make me into a fan.

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

I remember tweeting out "How did nobody tell me about this before? I'm so mad I haven't seen it before, because it's so good!" when I first watched a couple episodes.

[@mariannedarrow7227]

It's definitely worth watching.

[@Paul-wd8cz]

The first season of Lost is the meaning of Christmas. Like all JJ Abrahms work, it's exciting and full of potential, but ultimately a disapointing ending that can never live up to your expectations.

[@MalloonTarka]

Bah, humbug.

[@williamdaviddiazcuchimaque7511]

Definiste las películas de zack Snyder

[@lollypopfiend]

Great video, as always! I'd always thought that the joke was that lost didn't have good payoff haha

[@PillarofGarbage]

Oh don't get me wrong, that is definitely _the joke_ - I'm just arguing there's another meaning behind that, too.

[@TheAmityElf]

Boy, I truly have no insights to share right now. Usually I try to have a comment that's at least superficially about something, but I'm simply tapped out for profound thought right now. I enjoyed the video! I like this episode of Community, and I enjoyed your deep dive on it. Best wishes!

[@feralart]

I watch this episode every Christmas morning.

[@chronicbrightside8757]

Really good deep dive on the episode!

[@zachnoland155]

See you guys after regionals!

[@chrisrandles857]

My favorite things are Community and dunking on conservatives. Subscribing now

[@grapeshot]

To me, it's just another day, although I do like it because of the family thing, but I'm an atheist, so I don't get into it for religious reasons.

[@joejohnson273]

Jeff Puppet looks like Colin Cowherd

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

I never watch Christmas episodes of things during this time.

[@AugustRx]

No on does. no one except yootoobers and Santa

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

Don't be silly. KZbinrs aren't real.@@AugustRx

[@debrachambers1304]

You only watch them during not-Christmastime?

[@sacrificiallamb4568]

Yup, right in the middle of summer or around October. Binging season.@@debrachambers1304

[@lilyofluck371]

Video was indeed good. I agree

[@calebmarmon1310]

Indeed. Bravo.

[@Lunictd]

Anti (or Pro?) Algorithm comment: A really interesting video, as always! Maybe I should get to watching "Community" at some point.

[@PillarofGarbage]

Community is neat! If you get time, you won’t regret it!

[@debrachambers1304]

@@PillarofGarbage It's neats ahead!

[@JohnBainbridge0]

This is the "The Meaning of Life Debate" in a nutshell. Life means whatever it means to you.... but I want to add my 2 Cents to this debate... *"The Meaning of Life" is the wrong question, because Life creates meaning.* The question answers itself and the snake eats its tail all the way down without telling us anything about life or meaning. So... *Why does Life Create Meaning?* Now that's a question.

[@shallomappiah_200]

Ah! alas I'm early

[@PillarofGarbage]

early is good B-)

[@arbitarious]

Same

[@allandm]

The meaning of Christmas is to talk about peace and love while feasting on dead animals who were confined, mutilated and killed. Then use taste and culture as a reason.

[@literaterose6731]

Well, off to rewatch the episode, thanks! And for myself: Christmas isn’t my holiday, so it doesn’t have any real meaning to me personally, but I’m happy to be heartwarmed on behalf of those for whom it does. I do have one seasonal personal tradition that is technically Christmas-related: two versions of A Christmas Carol. Every year I listen to the audiobook version read by Tim Curry (utterly fabulous!), and watch my favorite (*cough* best *cough*) movie adaptation, the one with George C. Scott (and yes, I *will* die on that hill, even though I do love the Muppets. Please don’t make me fight you!). I love that story primarily for its anti-pursuit of wealth and pro-compassion and empathy messages; that those are framed through Christmas is incidental to me. Still, I suppose it counts! Anyway, warmth, comfort and safety to all as we traverse the winter (or coolness for those traversing the summer!). Here’s hoping we all get to the other side okay. 🩵