True Meaning of Christmas

Dear Victor,

We always see these heart tugging TV shows and movies, and even songs that talk about "the true meaning of Christmas." What is the "true meaning of Christmas?" I mean, I know the Christmas story of Christ's birth. But is that what Christians should make of it?

Deborah N. - Pineville, AR

Dear Deborah,

The world has spent an extraordinary amount of time and money trying to explain the "true meaning of Christmas." In a nutshell, the world tries to put it in a box of feelings, heart-warming and inspiring of happy tears. The thing is that any definition of the meaning of Christmas that isn't focused on Christ is a lie. As Christians, we shouldn't fall for that deception.

The true meaning of Christmas is simple. Mankind is comprised of people who are born with an innate bent towards sin. Even the best and most righteous of us naturally drift toward evil. As such, we are headed for spiritual death --- life without God, our Maker. But God, in His infinite love and grand grace, sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, our lives would have absolutely no basis for hope ... ever.

So we celebrate Christ's birth as we celebrate the birth of eternal hope, and access to eternal life. Really, I don't think there is any other meaning for Christmas than that. In fact, anything else we try to ascribe to it would undoubtedly just dilute the real meaning.