CHRISTMAS is one of the most awaited and most anticipated events every year. It is one of the merriest celebrations every year across the globe. Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ. People are happily sharing their blessings with others, giving gifts to others, attending Christmas parties, or attending family reunions. Everyone is happy celebrating Christmas every year.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred and religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. People around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive ( History of Christmas- Origins, Traditions, and Facts).
Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25 every year? Many people think it is because December 25 is the day Jesus was born, but that is false. The Bible does not say when He was born, and the few clues we have- like a shepherd guarding their flock outside- hint that it may have been in the spring. It was not until three-and-a-half centuries after Christ’s birth that the date December 25 was chosen to celebrate His birthday. Pope Julius, picked the date in 350 AD, and it was formalized in 529 AD when Roman Emperor Justinian declared Christmas to be a civic holiday. The date was not a random pick. Many historians believe that both the Pope and the Emperor liked this date because it coincided with the pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice, which dated back centuries. The winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, depending on the year. Combining Christmas with these ancient celebrations allowed the church to keep the winter holiday tradition while refocusing the party on the “new” religion of Christianity; many of the pagan rituals were ditched in the process. Choosing a date near the shortest day of the year may have also been symbolic, according to another theory. Each day afterward, the sun would grow progressively brighter, much like how the Christ child developed from infant to immortal ( What Is Christmas, and Why Do We Celebrate It?).
Christmas is the celebration of the greatest God’s gift to mankind in the form of Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”- John 3:16. It is also the most wonderful time to spend with family, relatives, and friends. Everyone is excited to share gifts to show and express their love and appreciation for one another.
Let us not also forget the true essence of Christmas. The real essence of Christmas is to reflect upon the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and to celebrate His coming to forgive all of our sins and to give us everlasting life. Christmas is the time of God shows His great love for all of us. In other words, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of God’s ultimate gift to mankind: the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. Based on Family and Marriage: The True Meaning of Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas is love. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that gift of love.
During Christmas, people are showing their love to others in many different ways. They share their blessings with others, exchange gifts with others, and attend Christmas parties and family gatherings. Love is really in the air during Christmas. People are loving one another and there is peace, harmony, and unity during Christmas. Love is the true essence of Christmas.
Let us all put in our hearts and minds that love is the true essence of Christmas. We must not forget to share the love during Christmas, even if it is not Christmas, we should love one another. Let us share love, not hatred. During Christmas, material things, parties, and others are not that really important. The most important thing during Christmas is love. That is the true essence of Christmas, just like the reason why Jesus Christ was born. It is because of God’s ultimate love for all of us. So, during Christmas, let us spread love and appreciation to others rather than those material things. If there is love, everything will be fine and everything good will follow. Let us love one another as God loves us all. Love, love, love!
