What Does Christmas Mean to You: Celebration or Appreciation Time?
When I was a little girl, Christmas was a time of freedom. My parents would relax a little and allow us to visit friends and relatives and attend other children’s events. The meaning of Christmas has changed over the years, and what it means to one person may not be the same to another.
As I grew older, I began to see Christmas in a different light: as a time to reflect on the year, what I had accomplished, what I had done well, and what I needed to improve. When I became a believer, I began to see Christmas in a new light, focusing more on its purpose and the reasons that led up to it.
For many, Christmas is a time for celebration, appreciation, and giving. Do you experience Christmas in the same way I did as a child, as an adult, or as a believer?
What Does Christmas Mean to You?
Christmas as a Time of Celebration
Many people see Christmas as a religious or cultural festival they can celebrate with friends and families.
To the Christian community, it is a period we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, as it is written in Isaiah 9:6 –
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This text reveals numerous titles for Jesus Christ that we should celebrate. Everyone sees Jesus as mankind’s savior, but he is much more than that, and we should honor him for all of his rank and titles. The Lord will reveal himself in the capacity of his title, which we honor. When you delve deeper into your relationship with the Lord, do you perceive him as more than Jesus, who died on the cross?
Do you see the Lord as a magnificent counselor from whom to seek sensible counsel? As a tremendous God, who is greater and stronger than any obstacle or unfavorable scenario you have encountered? Do you picture Jesus as an everlasting parent who has your back and welcomes you when you are broken and crushed? Do you perceive Jesus as a Prince of Peace capable of bringing peace into your household, company, ministry, job, children, and everything else?
During this time, you can delve deeper into Christmas and honor the Lord in all of his titles and statuses.
Christmas as a Time of Appreciation and Giving
Jesus is a gift to the world, as stated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
If God sent us Jesus as a gift, we should appreciate him; yet, we can only appreciate Jesus if we accept him as a gift. And this is a gift that you must share with others, not retain for yourself. As a Christian believer in this concept of Christmas, you can give Jesus as a gift to others, allowing them to accept him as their Savior and develop a relationship with him.
You can spread this love by teaching people about Jesus and life in Christ. Jesus was given to us out of God’s loving care.
Many individuals lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas and become overwhelmed by the abundance of events and activities because we view it as a time for appreciation and celebration. If you are not focused on the true meaning of Christmas, you may lose the blessing that comes with the holiday.
What are the Main Reasons for Christmas?
· Christmas is a time of celebration of the love of Christ
· It is a time to win more souls for God through the sharing of his love
· It’s a time of reconciliation with God
· Christmas is a period of meditation on our path with God
· It’s time to decide to build a better relationship with God.
We will receive more if we value and enjoy God’s love more. Why not go ahead and enjoy Christmas in a better way than you have in the past, now that you know what it should be all about and how to accomplish it? You will be enhancing heaven and honoring our Savior Jesus Christ.
