We too can often be swept up in the romantic notion of the commercialized holiday. It is often followed by stress to host the ‘perfect holiday’, in addition to trying to find the best presents, the most beautiful tree, and most delicious food.
Yet, this stress can cause a state of false joy. In that state of mind, we focus on material items and unrealistic expectations, rather than focusing on what we do have in our lives, who we do have at our dinner table and the reality that things could always be a little bit worse.
When we realize that we don’t have to let commercialism ruin or control our Christmas, we can find what Christmas means to us.
Maybe it is giving presents to loved ones, or maybe it is donating to a charity.
Maybe it’s spending time with an elderly neighbor who doesn’t have a family.
Maybe it is attending Christmas Eve service at church, prioritizing the celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ.
This Christmas, I encourage you to take the time to reflect on the reason for celebrating.
Remember to reflect with gratitude on your fortune and to act on the narrative of goodwill to ALL.
- The True Meaning Of Christmas – Wikipedia (A Little History)
The true meaning of Christmas is a phrase that began to appear in the mid-19th century when a shift toward a more secular culture resulted in a national backlash. Christians began to see the secularization of the celebration day of the birth of Christ as the shift toward Santa Claus and gift exchanging replaced the celebration of the advent of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return.
The poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (1822) helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance. Harriet Beecher Stowe criticizes the commercialization in her story “Christmas; or, the Good Fairy”. An early expression of this sentiment using the phrase “the true meaning” is found in The American magazine, vol. 28 (1889):
“to give up one’s very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas.”
The phrase is especially associated with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (1843), in which an old miser named Ebeneezer Scrooge is taught the true meaning of Christmas by three ghostly visitors who review his past and foretell his future.
The topic was taken up by satirists such as Stan Freberg and Tom Lehrer during the 1950s and eventually by the influential TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, first aired in 1965 and repeated every year since. “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” says Linus van Pelt, after he recites the Annunciation to the Shepherds from the Bible referring to the birth of Christ.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957) also illustrates the topic, and was very influential in the form of an animated TV special produced in 1966. The phrase and the associated moral became used as a trope in numerous Christmas films since the 1960s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_meaning_of_Christmas
- What Does Christmas Mean to You? – What You Forget To Do?
Christmas is again upon us and people around the world are busy with their preparations for their version of a Christmas dinner. Christmas is a time for family reunions, for family bonding, renewing friendships, exchanging gifts, and going on holidays.
Christians around the world celebrate Christmas in different ways, following their beliefs and their traditions. Christmas is a time to celebrate. Foremost is the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
It’s a message of peace and hope, but this is now overshadowed by the stress preparing for Christmas brings to many people.
Most people today are busy at work, and preparing for the holiday season is something that is usually set aside until the last minute. That is why shops, department stores, malls, groceries, and supermarkets are bursting at the seams just a few days before Christmas with last-minute shoppers.
While gifts before were simpler, today, people are more choosy about the gifts they give and receive, particularly among younger people.
Parties have become a big part of Christmas celebrations. There are parties in the office, among friends and business associates. It is almost impossible to turn away invitations thus attending parties during the Christmas season has become a social obligation. * These days avoid parties – Covid is still alive!
The essence of the Christmas celebration somehow gets lost in all the excitement. In the past, children were contented when given some cash, candies, fruits, a new pair of shoes or new clothes. Now children want to have the latest video game gadgets, cell phones, and high-tech toys.
What is Christmas to other people?
Although many people have almost forgotten what Christmas means, there are still plenty of people young and old around the world, who have a different take on what Christmas is. Here are a few basic meanings:
It is not about presents but to celebrate the birth of the Creator.- Jesus –
It is to remember Jesus’ birth and to care for, share, and give to people who do not have homes.
It is time to spend with family.
It is to thank God.
It is about opening presents and having fun, being with family, and being out of school or at work.
It is helping underprivileged people enjoy Christmas.
It is time spent with family and a time to give back to the community.
It is to witness the true excitement and enchantment of the season through the eyes of children.
It is time to reflect on what’s truly important in life.
It means to share the love and help other people.
It is about showing gratitude and compassion.
It is time to make others happy.
The overall message is clear. Christmas means spending more time with family, showing gratitude and loving, sharing and making people happy, and remembering the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. These are the general meanings of Christmas to many people.
Celebrate Christmas but don’t forget the Spirit. Don’t stuck in the material world think about your Soul. It’s more important than any material you can have.
Jesus came to earth to save your Soul.
