"Essence of Christmas"

"CHRISTMAS"

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. 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. December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in all over the world. Christmas is celebrated all over the world, as a religious holiday or as a time of celebration by Christians and non-Christians alike. The traditions are different from country to country, but they nearly always include a feast, giving gifts or cards, and enjoying church or public festivities such as singing Christmas carols and songs. Santa Claus is a tradition in many countries of the world.

As the Child Jesus is the real reason for celebrating Christmas, we are invited to present Him birthday gifts through the most economically challenged persons in our society. As the birth of Jesus means love, joy, hope and sharing, we, as Christians, can make Jesus’ birthday celebration truly meaningful for Him when we extend the love, joy, hope and sharing beyond our comfort circle of family, relatives and friends. Christmas is about love. Caring about another over yourself, spending the time to do the little things to make the holiday special for loved ones.  Christmas is also about togetherness. Being with the people you love, laughing, and sharing a meal, sharing happy memories. Christmas is about giving. Doing things for others - collecting food for the needy, helping with toy distributions to needy children. Remembering those less fortunate. Everyone wants Christmas to be meaningful. Christmas is definitely the season for gifts and shopping. During Christmas, a lot of people go to malls to buy various gifts to be given to their friends and loved ones. People just need to spend more during Christmas season.

Focusing on or prioritizing the giving of gifts or spending of money for Christmas parties should not diminish the real essence of Christmas but strengthen it. When the monetary values of gifts and foods do not really matter because we value more the thoughts and gestures of giving, sharing and fellowship, there should be no issue how much we spend to celebrate Christmas. The essence of Christmas is not lost through commercialism. It is lost when we do not include the celebrator, particularly through the poor people in our society who most need to feel His love, joy and hope.