It is around this time of the year that many of us start asking the question “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” I am sure that for those who do ponder this question, your inquiry is no doubt prompted by an assortment of stimuli. For example: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, shop till you drop lists, Toys for Tots, Christmas countdowns, gift rages, children meltdowns, commercials, jingles and endless exhortations to buy that special gift that will truly show someone you love them.
I must be humble. Many have tried to answer this question before me. I am nowhere near the first nor do I assume the last who will ever tackle this issue. Thus, I offer my opinion where no doubt many wiser than I have gone before me and many wiser will go after. However, if I merely offer you some fresh insights into this age old question, I will have accomplished my goal. Perhaps I may see things in a slightly different perspective than all the wise people who have already treaded on this question.
I am going to break the key question “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” into three parts or three sub-questions.
The first sub-question is “Why do we celebrate Christmas?” The answer to this question is obvious. A man named Jesus was born on or near this date in the time of the Roman occupation of Israel. He is alternately revered as a great prophet, the son of God, the Messiah or a humble man with a simple but profound message. Many who respect him honor his memory on December 25 each year.
The second sub-question is “What should we celebrate at Christmas?” The most common means of celebrating the life of a great person is to remember what they stood for. Jesus IMHO stood for two major ideas which were radical in his time. The first major idea was to “Love Everyone.” This meant that you needed to love your enemies as well as your friends. Easy to love your friends said Jesus, much more difficult to love your enemies. The second major idea was to “Forgive Everyone.” Again, not just forgiveness for your friends and relatives but also for those you hate and your mortal enemies. Thus, at Christmastime, Christians and those who wish to venerate Jesus of Nazareth should be celebrating both Love and Forgiveness. We see many manifestations of the love at this time of the year but much less focus on forgiveness. The truth of this will be more evident when we look at the third sub-question: “How do we Celebrate Christmas?”
“How do we celebrate Christmas?” How do we take the two major ideas that Jesus stood for and remember them. Each concept could be honored in a variety of ways. The primary way that we seem to express the idea of Love is through the giving of gifts. We can give gifts of the spirit or gifts of the world. Gifts of the spirit express our love for others by giving some of ourselves. We give some immaterial expression of love to others that we care about. We might choose to spend time with a loved one or simply help them out with a project or task that needs doing.
We also give physical or material gifts. These include toys, gadgets, technology, clothes, jewelry etc. Material gifts express our love by transferring our money into presents for others based on their perceived wants and needs. It is quite common to see gifts given based on wants but needs are less frequently factored into the gift giving equation. One could posit a hierarchy of gift giving, going from easiest to give to most difficult. I think it would look something like this:
- Material gifts based on wants (easy)
- Material gifts based on needs (more difficult)
- Spiritual gifts based on wants (difficult)
- Spiritual gifts based on needs (very difficult)
It is not always easy to distinguish between wants and needs, particularly when dealing with children who often confuse the two. The good parent should be able to tell the difference, but all too often parents are more interested in simply satisfying their child’s wants rather than dealing with their child’s needs. The Love of Jesus becomes a love focused on completing a shopping list of wants. Little attention is spent on needs while even less time is spent on spiritual gifts. It is easier to buy a gift card than to spend time with a friend or loved one.
How do we deal at Christmastime with the second major idea that Jesus promoted, the idea that we should Forgive others? This idea does not seem to have seriously entered the panoply of displays that we see or that are observed at this time of the year. Somehow, Forgiveness gets forgotten at Christmas time. A cynic might wonder if it is not because this is the hardest idea to implement. Can you imagine sending a beautiful gift of flowers or jewelry to someone you loath and detest? Can you imagine spending time with someone you hate or giving some gift of the spirit to someone you dislike? I suggest that such demonstrations of Forgiveness would be unusual for most Christians as well as non-Christians.
So “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” After dicing and slicing this question what are we left with? A short summary of the main points that I have made to address this question might help:
- We celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a great prophet, teacher and to some God
- Jesus’s mission and purpose was to teach us Love and Forgiveness
- We attempt to celebrate his concept of Love during the time we think he was born
- We substitute gift giving for more substantive displays of Love or more difficult expressions of the concept
- We leave out or neglect Jesus’s concept of Forgiveness
Perhaps this Christmas, we can all try to GIVE more Forgiveness. If there is a “True Meaning of Christmas”, if Jesus were alive today, I am sure he would be most pleased if we all spent more time trying to love our enemies as well as our friends and to forgive those who “Trespass against us.”
Time for Questions:
What is your “meaning” for Christmas? How do you celebrate the birth of Jesus? What could you do more of this year to truly celebrate his message? What can we do to help make Forgiveness part of the Christmas message?
Life is just beginning.
“How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts!” ―
“And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”
―
Aging Capriciously 
Dec 26, 2013 @ 07:02:43
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article post. I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2013 @ 23:02:41
Thanks, I will look forward to your comments.
LikeLike
Dec 27, 2013 @ 16:29:07
Amazing! Thiѕ blog looks just like my οld one!
It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the
same page layout and design. Eхcellеnt сhoice of coloгs!
LikeLike
Dec 30, 2013 @ 18:36:51
Thanks,
LikeLike
Dec 29, 2013 @ 01:53:36
A fascinating discussion will probably be worth comment. I do believe that you should write more on this specific topic, may possibly not be a taboo subject but generally people are too few to speak in such subject areas. To the next. Regards
LikeLike
Dec 30, 2013 @ 18:35:18
Thanks, I tried to add my 2 cents but a great deal more could be said by others more knowledgeable about the subject.
LikeLike
Dec 31, 2013 @ 19:30:54
Ahaa, itts fastidious discussion concerning this piece off writing here at this website, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at
this place.
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:40:32
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Dec 31, 2013 @ 20:01:31
Your means of telling everything in this piece of writing iss really pleasant,
all be capable of without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:40:14
Thanks, I try to write in a non-academic manner.
LikeLike
Jan 02, 2014 @ 03:21:05
I agree with your considered.Thank you for the sharing.
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:36:05
Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Jan 02, 2014 @ 05:37:17
I am really impressеd along with your writing skills and also with the
layout for your weblog. Is that this a paid topic
оr did уou customize it youгself? Either way stay up
the excellent hіgh qualitу writing, itt is rare to look a gгeat weblog like this one these days..
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:35:48
Thanks for your comments. No it is not paid, I wish I could say it I was making money at it, but I do it for fun and posterity. The layout is a theme from WordPress. Thank you for your kind compliments.
LikeLike
Jan 02, 2014 @ 05:47:51
I absolutely lоve your website.. Plеasant colors & theme.
Did you make thiѕ web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own sіte and
would like to leaгn where you got this from or
what the theme іs namеd. Тhanks!
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:34:40
This was one of the word press themes. I wish I could say it was my design but it was not. Not sure the name. Send me an email and I will check more.
LikeLike
Jan 02, 2014 @ 05:56:02
bookmarked!!, I reаlly like your blog!
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:33:54
Great, I am glad you enjoyed it. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 02:27:00
Fantastic post, conserve the hard work, you’re performing it right!
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2014 @ 14:33:33
Thank you for your nice comments.
LikeLike
Jan 05, 2014 @ 17:34:48
I enϳoy what you guys tеnd tο be up too. Such сlever
work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guyѕ I’ve included you guyѕ
to my personal blogroll.
LikeLike
Jan 05, 2014 @ 17:48:54
You have mаde some good points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about
the issue аnd found most people ωill gο long with your views on this site.
LikeLike
Jan 05, 2014 @ 19:16:18
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was
a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from
you! However, how could we communicate?
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 06:45:10
I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you place to create one of these fantastic informative site.
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 22:19:50
Thanks Norbert for your nice remarks. I spend about 8-12 hours a week doing one blog. Usually, I have a basketful of index cards which is where I put ideas for blogs and articles. I sometimes know two weeks in advance what I will write and sometimes I don’t know until about a week before. I need to spend at least one week writing, editing, writing, editing and then posting on Sunday or Monday. I have another blog site that I used to post at but don’t any more.
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 17:41:47
Hi, I log on to your new stuff regularly. Your writing style is witty, keep up
the good work!
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 22:14:04
Thanks, I try to inject some humor but my partner Karen says I am too subtle at times. I think I have a quirky sense of humor. I am glad it hits the mark with you. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 18:47:31
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It inn fact was a amusement account
it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from
you! However, how could we communicate?
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 22:13:05
Thanks for your comments. you can always email me at persico.john@gmail.com or send me a link on Facebook.
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 18:51:19
Ahaa, its nice dialogue concerning this paragraph at this place at
this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
LikeLike
Jan 14, 2014 @ 22:12:29
Thank you, have a wonderful New Year.
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2014 @ 05:30:53
Great video, Fun and succinctly explained.. Will use it an introduction when I am giving talks to genealogists and historians on blogging
LikeLike
Jan 19, 2014 @ 23:48:35
Thanks, I really appreciate your comments. I am glad you can use the ideas to share with others.
LikeLike
Feb 04, 2014 @ 08:23:02
Hey very interesting blog!
LikeLike
Feb 05, 2014 @ 23:05:08
Thanks very much for the kind remark.
LikeLike
Feb 06, 2014 @ 16:44:04
Very good post. I certainly appreciate this site. Continue
the good work!
LikeLike
Feb 08, 2014 @ 12:27:49
Thanks very much for the kind remarks.
LikeLike
Feb 07, 2014 @ 19:26:26
You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I to find this topic to be really something which I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely huge for me. I’m taking a look ahead in your subsequent submit, Ill try to get the cling of it!
LikeLike
Feb 08, 2014 @ 12:23:39
Thank you. Good luck with your research. Any study always raises more questions. A mentor once told me anytime you study something, it gets more complex.
LikeLike
Feb 08, 2014 @ 04:14:15
Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any community forums that cover the
same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Kudos!
LikeLike
Feb 08, 2014 @ 12:20:37
Sorry, I wish I could help you but I have not done any research in this area you refer to. It might make a good group to start though if you are really passionate about the subject, I would bet you would find many like minded people. I remember a documentary done years ago on Christmas, but I can’t remember the name. It had to do with all the hype and commercialism.
LikeLike
Feb 08, 2014 @ 23:35:14
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this post and also thee rest of the
site is really good.
LikeLike
Feb 09, 2014 @ 00:13:04
Thank you very much. Kind compliments warm my heart.
LikeLike
Feb 09, 2014 @ 05:22:03
Hi there, I log on to your new stuff daily. Your story-telling style
is witty, keep up the good work!
LikeLike
Feb 10, 2014 @ 05:21:43
Thank You.
LikeLike
Feb 15, 2014 @ 05:59:42
Thanks, I am glad it was useful.
LikeLike
Feb 21, 2014 @ 19:38:30
It’s actually a pleasant and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Feb 23, 2014 @ 23:08:01
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Mar 03, 2014 @ 08:49:15
I do accept as true with all of the ideas you’ve presented on your post.
They are very convincing and can certainly work.
Still, the posts are too short for newbies. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent
time? Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
Mar 05, 2014 @ 23:34:16
Thanks, but too many people already tell me my blogs are too long.
LikeLike
Mar 09, 2014 @ 22:33:32
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent, let alone
the content!
LikeLike
Mar 18, 2014 @ 00:59:35
I am truly pleased to read this web site posts which includes lots
of helpful information, thanks for providing these data.
LikeLike
Apr 20, 2014 @ 08:36:31
Hi there, yup this paragraph is really good and I have learned lot of things from it
regarding blogging. thanks.
LikeLike
May 31, 2014 @ 22:17:25
What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness
of precious experience concerning unpredicted feelings.
LikeLike
Jun 29, 2014 @ 02:21:43
Awesome post.
LikeLike
Aug 19, 2014 @ 06:40:35
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you just
shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Sep 10, 2014 @ 09:26:42
Hello, yes this article is genuinely pleasant and I have learned lot of things from
it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
LikeLike
Sep 21, 2014 @ 05:50:33
Nice weblog here! Also your website rather a lot up fast!
What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link on your host?
I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
LikeLike
Nov 05, 2014 @ 05:39:35
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article.
Thank you for supplying these details.
LikeLike
Dec 24, 2018 @ 22:33:26
🎁 It’s love and forgiveness. 🎁
The season begins after Thanksgiving and is over in January for Epiphany. It’s only more than a month for a multitude of events, foods, music 🎶 and gifts. We can not do all that is offered for us. However, we can love and forgive.
LikeLike
Dec 24, 2018 @ 22:56:20
True, and we can do that year round and not just once a year for two weeks. Merry Christmas Socorro and Happy Holiday to you.
LikeLike
Dec 23, 2022 @ 08:44:56
Unless we’re religious (I’m not) isn’t it about buying people stuff they don’t want and saying all those “nice” (what does this word mean??) things that we won’t continue in to the next year because we only carry out the Christmas spirit for about a week?
Cynical is my second name! 😐
For me the joy of Christmas is on the small children’s faces when they’re meeting Santa 🤶 🎅. Those expressions of wonder and amazement or fear and panic 🙂 After all it may not be a bad reaction that strange men with beards should be avoided. 😂
Happy Christmas John 🎄
LikeLike
Dec 23, 2022 @ 10:35:27
Margaret, I am with you on the cynical. My wife says I am the grinch. Instead of Ho Ho HO, it should be Bah, Bah, Bah. But then I try to get in the Spirit of what I think Christmas should be rather than what it is. And that is for me Love and Forgiveness. Have a Happy Holiday and a Merry Christmas Margaret. Hope you have all our dreams and hopes come to pass in the New Year. John
LikeLike
Jan 13, 2023 @ 11:47:16
I delight in, result in I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
LikeLike
Jan 15, 2023 @ 07:19:02
This site is really a stroll-by means of for all of the data you needed about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you’ll positively uncover it.
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2023 @ 13:20:03
Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..
LikeLike