What Does Christmas Mean To You?

When someone says “Christmas”, what comes to mind?

Is it, perhaps, the words “Ho ho ho”, and the image of a portly man dressed in red? Or perhaps you think of Buddy the Elf, or Kevin from Home Alone. If not that, is it a certain food or dessert? I know for many it’s the decorations; the wreaths, the tree, the five million boxes of holiday stuff that’s stored in the basement.

What defines Christmas?

I know for many of us, the things I just listed come straight to mind. And that’s not bad. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the idea of some guy crawling down your chimney and leaving packages at midnight.

However, what is the true focus of the holidays?

Last Christmas was the first year that I didn’t feel “excited” about the holiday season. Namely, the gifts, the food, etc. I left it thinking How come? Why don’t I feel happy about the gifts I got? (Maybe part of this was because the vast majority of my gift was a trip to Disney World a month later.)

That point aside, this past year I’ve come to realize the truth behind Christmas. Sorry to break it to you, but it isn’t the gifts. It isn’t the food. Gasp! It isn’t even family gatherings.

Christmas is about Jesus.

Wow, your brain just exploded in shock, right? Probably not. We’ve all heard about the true Christmas Story. Jesus, the Shepherds, the Wise Men, and so on.

Even non-Christians know this. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s never heard of how Christmas originated. And yet if you ask anyone (even a Christian) what their favourite part of Christmas is, what do you think they’d say?

What would you say is the meaning of Christmas?

My guess is it might not be “celebrating the birth of Jesus”. Which is sad – but not unexpected. The world blasts us with advertisements regarding what they believe Christmas is, and it’s all too easy to buy into their ideology.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Christmas doesn’t have to be just another hollow holiday. It shouldn’t be. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The holiday season has already begun. In fact, Christmas is right around the corner. It’s a time when we have more reason than ever to share Jesus’ love with the world.

They’re already celebrating “Him”, which gives us a foot in the door. Family gatherings are another amazing opportunity. Quite often this is one of the few times we get to see those extended members.

What will you make Christmas about?

Will it be all about the gifts, the gatherings, the decor, and the food? That can still be a facet of it – of course it can – but will that be the focus? I can tell you from personal experience that I let it be paramount for so many years and wound up disappointed.

Instead, what if we directed our attention to what Christmas is really about? If we focused on Jesus and His special day.

How would you feel if your birthday came around, and all everyone did that entire day was fuss about the gifts, the cake, and the party, and no one talked to you? Those are all good things, but ultimately, meaningless compared to the person being celebrated.

The Christmas season is about Jesus.

First and foremost, that’s what we ought to remember. We’re celebrating Him. Christmas is about remembering the hope that Jesus gave the entire world.

The greatest present we’ve ever received is His presence.

It’s a gift beyond fathoming. An eternal gift. A gift that sadly, so many have forgotten. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

How will you honour Jesus on His birthday?