Christmas is the holiday that we instantly recognize by its red and green decorations, Santa Claus, classic songs and, of course, the piles of gifts given to us by our loved ones. All those traditions can be joyful and fun, but have also become the main focus. Today, many have lost sight of the true purpose of the holiday: the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a Christian holiday of profound religious significance.
A Christian Post survey on Americans’ thoughts about the true meaning of Christmas found that 84 percent of American Christians believe that Americans have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, 42 percent of all Americans strongly agree with this opinion, and 33 percent somewhat agree, which does not surprise me. Every year, new apps appear to help people build their Christmas lists, which are then piled with the newest and trending items. Meanwhile, people are forgetting about those who cannot afford any presents at all.
Christian values represent love for God, Jesus Christ and neighbors. Christmas is the time to live those principles out in life. People can give back to their community and the world if they can do so. There are countless ways to do this and experience the “true meaning of Christmas” by visiting a homeless shelter, bringing gifts to children in need, donating items to local charities, visiting a nursing home, attending a church service, spending time with family and simply spreading kindness.
Continue to contribute to the holiday cheer through decorations, buying special gifts for others and having memorable parties and events in the spirit of Christmas. However, in such a dynamic world with increasing technology, politics and frustration, I believe it’s highly important to focus on the significance of Christmas and what it stands for. Christians need to remember their deep connections to the birth of Jesus Christ and the need for their values, as well as for non-Christians who celebrate the holiday to learn about his birth and the roots of the tradition they participate in.
In the Public Square Magazine, Robert Hill wrote in “The Original True Meaning of Christmas” that in a time where there is so much darkness, overconsumption, materialism, and tragedies that have ridden our world and America, Christ’s mission and his birth mean much more than the surface cultural level of Christmas. It stands for joy and hope in a time of darkness. Christmas time is the perfect time is perfect time for healing.
People may argue that Christmas has evolved into a holiday where people can choose how they want to celebrate it. These kinds of arguments would be made by people who approach Christmas more culturally rather than spiritually. I understand their perspective; time with family and friends is important. However, I don’t believe in losing sight of the original sense of Christmas and overshadowing the faith behind the holiday. If we do that, then the world loses something extremely meaningful to Christianity. Christmas has a deep story of hope, love, service, and the birth of Jesus Christ; this deserves to be remembered, not hidden.
