What is Christmas? Christmas is many things to many people. However, no matter what, Christmas is about Christ’s birth. Christmas wouldn’t exist if Christ hadn’t been born. That’s true whether you are a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu or an atheist.
What is the message of Christmas? The day is so magical that its name alone brings smiles on the faces of people around the world! It brings forth special feelings and happiness in hearts of the people. It uplifts the spirits of so many people. There are literally hundreds of songs that have been written for Christmas, many of which are well known to millions of people.
President Coolidge once said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” In here is the true message of Christmas. Christ would want us to believe in peace on earth. Christ would want us to be of goodwill toward our fellow man. Regardless of whether one is a Christian or not, I believe that most people would find these to be good goals worthy of the effort to make happen.
Christmas is also about the sanctity of life. Mary was with child without being married. Under Jewish law this was a major sin. Joseph took her to be his wife despite this and sent a message that echoes to this day. That message is that all life is sacred. This flies in the face of those like Planned Parenthood who believe that an unborn child’s life is not sacred. That it can be snuffed out at the whim of its mother or of those who would counsel the mother to do so.
Christmas is about love. This love is expressed in gift giving where we voluntarily use our hard earned capital to give something to someone we care about. The world would be a better place if this spirit of love were more universal throughout the year.
Peace.