Can We Lose the Real Meaning of Christmas?

It’s that time of year! Every December, we hear a peppering of commentary in Christian circles protesting the fleecing of the real meaning of Christmas. Many Christians cringe as the media and secular culture substitute the “Merry Christmas” greeting with “Happy Holidays.” Understandably, believers feel compelled to remind society of the origins of our traditional holiday. As Christ-followers, we are wired to desire glory for our Savior in this season created to honor Him. But even as public Nativity scenes are left in storage, and religious carols are replaced with secular songs, my Christmas is no less meaningful or holy.

Just as a relationship with Jesus Christ is personal, so is the sacred celebration of Christmas. It is my responsibility to keep the real meaning of Christmas within me. And while I appreciate music and décor featuring the nativity or Christian aspects of the holiday, I do not want unbelievers to confuse their choice in decorations or holiday expressions with what makes them a Christian. Saying “Merry Christmas” or sending a Christmas card with an artist’s rendering of the Christ child may or may not reflect a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.

A Christian is one who accepts the truth Jesus is the Son of God. Upon becoming a believer, he or she allows Jesus to be the Lord of their life. The Bible prepares the Christian to be viewed as an outsider in his or her culture. Jesus promises discrimination, persecution, and suffering to those who submit to follow Him. As a result, Christians cannot expect an unbelieving culture to reinforce the aspects of Christmas we revere. Until and unless a person embraces the awe of the Incarnation, forcing them to adopt our expressions may make us feel better, but it will not aid the unbeliever in developing an authentic Christian faith. Our goal is not to get the world to use our vocabulary but to help humanity to know our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

Instead of wasting energy in futile frustration, internal angst, or caustic angry comments, use this as fuel to empower you to be light in a dark world and salt in a society that is over-flavored with evil. Christians are called to meet people where they are on life’s path and to even reach out to those who are off of the path. Demanding that unbelievers catch up with us on our spiritual journey will rarely yield success. In fact, we may do more damage in the minds of non-Christians by engaging in public rhetoric focusing on the negative and proclaiming our need for respect. Christians live to serve their Lord by focusing on needs of others. During this Christmas season, may we be less bothered by the secularization of the holiday and instead experience and express joy for the gift of the Christ-child and by that we will make our holy day. And by experiencing our own wonder of the season, may we reflect to others a spirit of peace. When a secular world encounters the grace of the Savior in the lives of professing, not protesting, Christians, they are far more likely to discover that Christmas can become a holy day for them also. If God is really here in Jesus, what do we have to complain about?