The REAL Meaning of Christmas

The REAL meaning of Christmas

This is so simple. What is the real meaning of Christmas? First I’ll tell you what it’s not. It’s not what Hollywood and New York would have you believe. It’s not the syrupy plots of countless classic movies and new movies that add the word Christmas to their titles. It is not all about Santa and elves and giving presents and donating to the food bank. It’s not about helping the poor and opening our hearts to the unfortunate. It’s not about family gatherings around a beautiful Christmas tree, a roaring fire in the fireplace, a turkey and all the favorite dishes on the table. It’s not about buying presents for a family you don’t even know and delivering them anonymously. It’s not about Scrooge, the Grinch, the Nutcracker, Toyland, Frosty and on and on.

It’s about the birth of one who was wholly man and wholly God. All that I mentioned above is what the world has tacked onto the commemoration of one wonderful day, the day our Savior was born. I love all the things I listed, especially the part about family, but the REAL meaning of Christmas is that Jesus Christ was born. And let me tell you that we wouldn’t even think of celebrating his birth if it weren’t for his death. He died for ALL of us. This is where we get the phrase “once and for all” and every time I think about it I remind myself that Jesus died for every single person. Every human’s sins are forgiven.

We bought presents for needy families, but they had to accept them. That sounds simple enough, but we’ve had people in the past who have refused the gifts. What an apt analogy to salvation. Jesus gave us the gift of eternal life by paying for our sins. All we have to do is accept Him. Come on, you know you’re not perfect. There’s no way you could please the Creator of the Universe. But wait. There is one way you could please him . . . accept His gift. Accept His Son Jesus Christ.

And that’s the REAL meaning of Christmas!