The True Meaning of Christmas

I recently watched a video on a major news network with this exact title. The video began with a statistic stating a study revealing that only 1.3% of ads currently running mention anything about God or the birth of Jesus. The question is, then, "Has the true meaning of Christmas been lost?" Ironically, the commercial before the video was an ad for Pajamagram, with the focus on giving your significant other sexy lingerie for Christmas. I think they may be on to something.

Sadly, though, the fact that I used the word Christmas in this article will be an offense to some, both Non-Christian and Christian. Of course, if I had subsituted the word "holiday", that would probably offend another group.

We all know that "Jesus is the reason for the season", but if you say it, some will be quick to point out that Jesus could not have been born during this season, the holiday has it's roots in paganism, Jesus is no longer a baby, etc. Add to this parents lying to their children about a fantasy character named Santa Claus, the pressure to spend money you don't have, and the expectation for happiness that can never be met, and you have a sort of "perfect storm" of emotions that bring about the opposite of "on earth peace, goodwill toward men".

It's not my purpose to tear down or mock belief systems. I have my own beliefs, and I feel very strongly about them, particularly some that are in focus at this time of year. My purpose is to encourage people to take a step back from "the front lines", and consider the person who is the central figure of, not only this holiday, but of all of history.

The so called "Christmas Story", is well known. Jesus, the Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of a virgin in Bethlehem. This miracle of God was a fulfillment of prophesy, an event the Jewish Nation had been looking for for centuries. However, Jesus' birth was not the end, but the beginning of the purpose or meaning of Christmas.

It's tragic that at a time when the world celebrates this beginning, that so many (especially those who believe the story) are at odds with one another, and also at odds with the One who came to bring peace. How grieving it must be to God to have his children arguing over the details of an event the details of which He purposely left hidden.

Some who celebrate this holiday may do so with thankfulness for a Savior who came into the world in meekness and humility. Some may enjoy the thought of a mythical character who brings joy to the entire world in one magical night. Others may simply take advantage of the opportunity to make memories with friends and family. And still others may choose to avoid all aspects of the holiday for reasons known only to them.

Whatever group a person may belong to, there is one thing all these people will have in common. No matter how they choose to worship their God, show love in the giving of gifts, build relationships with those they love, or retreat into their own sanctuary, they will do it imperfectly. With this in mind, I believe we should all exercise meekness and humility.

But what is the real meaning, you ask?

In my last post, I wrote about the new birth, and it's effect on believers whose faith may be waning. I did not fully understand the timing of the words I wrote, nor the need I had for my own faith to be stirred up. But God did. That night my son Micah came to me, and told me he wanted to be a Christian. How "soul refreshing" it was to share in this miracle with my wife and son. For me, that moment was full of the "true meaning of Christmas".

John 1:10-13 says, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

Jesus' birth was truly miraculous, and should give us pause, whenever we consider it. But, for me, the true meaning of Christmas is not that Jesus was born over 2000 years ago in the City of David, but that Jesus came so a young man could be reborn last Saturday in the town of Covington.