What is the real meaning of Christmas?

As we conclude the season of Advent and with it, all the joys of Christmas it brings, it is important we ask ourselves what the real meaning of Christmas is?

Is it the gifts under the tree?, the lights in the windows?, the cards in the mail?, turkey dinners with family and friends?, stockings hanging in the living room?, shouts of “Merry Christmas” to those who pass us in the streets?, the Christmas Parties?
Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sadness. They don’t have money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born.

“The shepherds simply discover that ‘unto us a child is born'” (Isaiah 9:5)

and they understand that all this glory, all this joy, all this light converges to one single point, that sign which the angel indicated to them:

“you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

This is the enduring sign to find Jesus.~ Pope Francis

“If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies. God does not make himself present in the grand hall of a royal palace, but in the poverty of a stable; not in pomp and show, but in the simplicity of life; not in power, but in a smallness which surprises. In order to discover him, we need to go there, where he is: We need to bow down, humble ourselves, and make ourselves small. We need to renounce our insatiable claims and abandon our endless dissatisfaction. It will help us find peace, joy and the meaning of life.”
~ Pope Francis

Christmas essentially also has a flavour of hope because, notwithstanding the darker aspects of our lives, God’s light shines out. His gentle light does not make us fear.

However the true meaning of Christmas is love. God desires us to spend eternity with Him. Jesus the son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary, (Galatians 4:4) and subject to the same temptations and limitations that we are. Yet, He was without sin.

The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a tendency to sin. We do things that do not please God.

“But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for all of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a “Merry Christmas”. The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God to meet all your needs.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

References:
zenit.org
en.radiovaticana.va
ncregister.com
catholic.org
www1.cbn.com