The Meaning of Christmas... gifts, garlands or greatness?



Posted: Tuesday, December 12, 2006

by
Contact Point IT Services

At this time of year, people's opinions on the meaning of Christmas abound. There's always those who espouse that what it means to them is a great time of family get together; of taking time to appreciate all that your family means to you. The family gets together and exchanges a sumptuous banquet and individually wrapped presents. At least... that's what the ideal family does. Many families have a great deal of stress leading up to the 25th December, where members jockey for the most sensible location and set of attendees for the family meal, and there always at least 2 members put out by the choices made, and vowing not to attend. Then of course, there are those who are estranged from their families, and feel the Christmas season as an ache in their heart because of perceived missing out on the real joy that Christmas is meant to bring.

Others see Christmas as a time filled with presents, sparkling decorations... a time to indulge yourself and have great fun. It's a holiday season. This is so much the case, that a large majority of businesses forcibly shut down over the Christmas period and insist that annual leave is taken between Christmas and the New Year. The businesses know that so many people are taking leave at that time, that there is little point having their staff in at work. Those staff that choose to take their leave at a different time of year are also aware that this is either a great time to catch up on all those jobs that they don't get time to do during the year, or a great time to be going to the office because the traffic is much easier, and there is much less pressure!

However, I would like to remind us all that Christmas means neither of the above - it does not stand for families and love, and it does not stand for holidays, parties and self-indulgence. It's real meaning is something a lot more terrible, and a lot more profound and a lot more mysterious.

The true meaning of Christmas is that God, in the mode of his spirit, came to live as a human being on earth amongst the people and materials He had previously created. Take a minute to try and imagine what that means and what it might involve. The incarnation of God into man. It's a mystery of the highest order!

Last Christmas I listened into an ABC Radio talk back show where listeners were asked to call in and say what Christmas meant to them. I was shocked and amazed to hear one lady ring in with anger in her voice and say that she saw a nativity scene and couldn't believe that the church couldn't even keep out of Christmas - can they not leave anything alone! It's unbelievable that someone could be so naiive about the meaning and origins of the Christmas celebration, that they could get on national radio and announce that Christmas is being commandeered by the church!

God wanted to provide a way for humans to connect to Himself again, in spirit and in truth, and the only way was for Him to sacrifice himself in human form to make such a relationship possible. This is where the concepts of peace, joy and love come from in the application of Christmas to the broader world who may not understand the Biblical Christmas event. Peace on earth... goodwill toward mankind (from God)... because God has a plan to restore our ability to have a relationship with Him, and return to Him when we die and commence our eternal spiritual existence.

Get yourself along to see "The Nativity" movie just released, to see an excellen portrayal of the first Christmas.

So, please, as you are buying the presents that you wish to shower on your loved ones, or as you are preparing that roast turkey for the big meal to which you've invited the homeless man down the street, and while you are placing the baubles on your Christmas tree, singing carols by candlelight, or while you are feeling sad and upset because your family is not with you this year... whatever circumstances Christmas brings you this year, please take some time to contemplate the incarnation of God into man, which is the true meaning of Christmas.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Anonymous
 5 years 61 days ago.
Heather: Use your built-in word processing spell and grammar checkers and the abundance of on-line reference works when writing. Reading your articles aloud often will reveal grammar and spelling errors. Content-wise, Christmas can mean many things, as you rightly stated in your opening. The article took a bad turn though, when you stated "Christmas does not stand for...," and then wrote on another, religious theme - telling us "The true meaning of Christmas...." Support one theme per article.
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