The real meaning of Christmas

The first six letters of the word Christmas provide the reason for our celebration. "Christ" translated from Hebrew means "Messiah", the One foretold by the prophets throughout the Old Testament. The Greek translation means "the anointed One".

The Jewish people had been expecting a Messiah for hundreds of years. At the time of Jesus' birth, they  hoped He would conquer and expel the Romans who were occupying their land, and the holy city of Jerusalem.

However, Jesus came for much greater purposes: to atone for sin, thereby opening the gates of heaven, and to show us what God is like, thus making it easier for humans to know and love Him.

At Christmas, God entered human history, an event considered so earth-shaking, that time, from then on, has been measured from that date. A.D. is Latin for "anno Domini", meaning "the year of the Lord". This year is 2012 A.D., or 2,012 years after the birth of Christ.

The traditions and symbols of Christmas relate to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem long ago.

* Christmas Carols. Hymns were sung by the angels when they announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds tending their flocks on the hillsides outside of Bethlehem.

* Exchanging gifts. The Magi brought gifts to Jesus. Jesus is now in heaven with His Father and the Holy Spirit. He needs nothing material from us. We give gifts to others in His honor.

* Lights, candles. Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

*Wreaths. The wreath is a circle, a symbol of God, Who has no beginning and no end.

* Candy canes. These remind us of the shepherds' staffs. The shepherds were Jesus' first visitors. The color red symbolizes the blood which He would shed on the cross. White reminds us of His purity.

*A star. The Magi came from the East and found Jesus by following a bright star.

* The Christmas tree. It is traditionally an evergreen, which never sheds its leaves. It symbolizes God's unending love for us.

* Christmas Cards. For many years, people wrote notes wishing friends and neighbors "Merry Christmas" when celebrating Jesus' birth . In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had 1000 specially designed cards printed. Thus, the custom of sending Christmas cards began.

* Saint Nicholas. He was a real person. He was a good bishop who lived in the fourth century and brought gifts to poor people and children. His feast day is December 6.. Santa Claus is a modern-day adaptation of Saint Nicholas.

* Bells. Bells on Christian churches will ring joyfully on Christmas morning, announcing this year's celebration of Jesus' birth.

* Angels. They proclaimed the Savior's birth to the shepherds, that first Christmas Eve.

* Christmas colors. Red reminds us that Jesus shed His blood for us. Green symbolizes the everlasting life which He offers us. White reminds us of His purity. Gold reminds us of Jesus' kingship. Although He came as a helpless Infant, Jesus is King and Creator of the universe.

Even though non-believers try to exclude Jesus Christ from the celebration of Christmas, they will never succeed. The very traditions and celebrations of the season proclaim the fact that Jesus' arrived on earth, and through that event, God inserted Himself into human history. We continue to celebrate the occasion two thousand and twelve years later.