Christmas Meaning

Dear Victor,

We often hear people talking about the "real meaning of Christmas." They speak about family, about friendships, etc. (Usually it seems like they're selling something.) What is the real meaning of Christmas?

Anil Frederick - Costa Mesa, CA

Dear Anil,

Well, the real meaning of Christmas is most likely not anything you've heard on TV or radio - or saw in a greeting card either. Here's the thing ... there would be no Christmas without Christ. So unless you are a follower of Christ, there would be nothing to celebrate.

Now, what is the real meaning of Christmas? For starters, Christmas has no real meaning unless you are a Christ follower. So if you're not --- Christmas is meaningless drivel. Moreover, any meaning that a non-Christian might try to ascribe to Christmas is illegitimate.

But if you are a Christ follower, then Christmas is the celebration of the greatest love story ever told. The birth of the Messiah - Christ had been foretold by the prophets for centuries. It's when the Father acted on His magnificent plan to fulfill the redemption of man. Why did God do this? Because He loved us so much.

So if you want to know the real meaning of Christmas, read John 3:16, "For God so loved the (people 0f) the world, that He sent His only Son - so that whomever would believe (i.e., follow and obey) in Him would have everlasting life." There's the real meaning of Christmas for you!