What is the Real Meaning of Christmas?

Question

We read in God's Holy Law-Book the Bible in Isaiah 42:5-9 Thus saith God JAHWEH, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I JAHWEH have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am JAHWEH: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

There was an heavenly celebration, we read in Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Answer 1

It depends upon individual perspective.

Ok, people... Look.... Yes, various pagan celebrations occurred on and around December 25th long before the introduction of Christmas. And Christmas does "borrow" from pagan practices/traditions (examples: yule log, cakes, fir trees, etc...). But this does not equate to Christians celebrating a pagan holiday. Christmas is a unique holiday that is celebrated on December 25th. Sharing a date with other holidays/celebrations does not change the meanings or purposes of either of the holidays/celebrations.

Furthermore, the mere fact that the purpose of Christmas is to observe the birthday of whom Christians believe to be the son of the Abrahamic God is proof that Christmas itself cannot be pagan. Paganism is basically defined as the faiths/traditions/religions which are outside of the Abrahamic groups/religions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and some others). Paganism is outside of these groups/religions because they (Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and some others) all have one thing in common- They believe in the same "God" (the "God" of Abraham, the "One True God"). This means that, duh, any Abrahamic groups/religions CANNOT be pagan... Therefore, neither can their celebrations.

Why is Christmas observed on December 25th? There are several reasons:

Firstly, no Christian in his/her right mind believes that Jesus was actually born on that date (with the exception of, perhaps, a "babe in Christ" A.K.A a new Christian who knows very little about Christianity). In fact, many Christians do not like the fact that December 25th is the day on which Jesus' birth is celebrated. There are several Christians who do not like the fact that many pagan symbols/objects are used/recognized during the Christmas celebration. But, the fact that they are used is not an indication that Christmas itself is a pagan celebration.

#1- It is close to the Christian holy day called Epiphany, which is a celebration of Jesus' first manifestation to the Gentiles. On the eve of Epiphany the arrival of the wise men in Bethlehem is celebrated. It is called the Twelfth Night (hence what is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas)... I'll assume that you're all aware of the significance of the number 12 in Christianity.

#2- Historical evidence suggests that the Catholic Church chose December 25th as a way of competing with rival pagan rituals held at that time of the year and due to the closeness of the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere, which was a traditional time of celebration among many ancient cultures. And, now, Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th since it is the established date of celebration.).

#3- One method that many Christians like to use in order to appeal to "sinners" is by relating to them so to speak, and one example of when this is done is by observing Christmas around the time during which pagan celebrations are taking place. Same logic as when many Christians get together to celebrate "harvest" on Halloween. Same reasoning applies to honoring pagan traditions (such as Santa).


No, I'm not on some kind of "defend the Christians" rant. But think about this- Don't you think they deserve the same respect that people expect them to have for everyone else?

I wish people would stop arguing about this. We are free to celebrate December 25 in whatever way we choose. We are free to accept it as meaning whatever we choose to believe. Can't we just leave it at that and stop making it out to be such a huge issue?

Answer 2

Because people use to be family oriented and gifts were frugal so the meaning was there. People cared then, but now families are not as close because of having to work many jobs to make ends meet. Also retailers, who now must make quotas, bombard the airways with expensive gifts for kids saying that your kid NEEDS these things. The closest thing to the original idea of Christmas can still be seen on movies like The Bishop's Wife (the one with Carry Grant not the remake), Miracle on 34th street (Again the original) and It's a wonderful life. Due to all these years, people are more concerned with image and NOT hurting their Children's feelings, and forgetting what was real. For those who claim it is a pagan holiday: Early Christians had two separate dates for the birth of Christ. Since there was much bickering about it, the Church's higher ups decided to choose a date that would (like the name Catholic) be a universal date. They chose the 25th. Not because it was a pagan holiday (that day falls on the 21st and 22nd) but because it was around that date and was an easy draw if they were to begin pulling the pagans into their fold. They did similar to Easter and took all hollows eve and turned it into all souls day. The idea is similar to the idea that the vail between our world and the spirits are easy to commune with.

Answer 3

Jaweh was a terrible warmonger.....He's to blame for the continued persecution of the Palestinians by land grabbing, Ethnic Cleansing Jews..

He made a big mistake Promising that land to the Israelites..in return for Slaying their neighbors..

There was never peace when Jahwe appeared...Some poor folk were gonna get killed and have their wives and children taken into slavery cos they had slightly different beliefs from Jahwe.

And it's still going on today.....Genocide of the Philistines (Palestinians) The rightful owners of the land of Palestine renamed Israel in 1948 by Jewish Invaders..

Speak out against the Extermination of Palestine before it's too late....And Jews of the World.. Remember The Holocaust.

Don't just standby and do Nothing...

Say NO to Ignorance..

Half my family are Jewish BTW..

Answer 4

The real meaning of Christmas is taught in Ephesians 1: 4-6:

Verse 4:" According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love;

Verse 5:"having predestinated us unto the adoption of the children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Verse 6:" To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The real meaning of christmas is the gift of Salvation to His people that he chose before the foundation of the world.

Unfortunetly, christmas is celebrated in a sinful way: people pay attention to Santa Claus, people please themselves rather of pleasing to God.

May God have mercy on us.

Answer 5

Know truth makes YOU free of believe lies.

Christmas is NOT birth time of Jesus, nor mass of Christ.
Christmas is NOT nicest time of year, but the worst: stats.
There were NOT 3 magi, but 3 gifts of many Babylon Jews.
Wise men did NOT visit a babe in a manger at Bethlehem.
Shepherds do NOT abide flocks in fields at night at Xmas.
Xmas Tree NOT Godly, but vain Babylon custom: Jer 10.
King of the Jews (Law) is NOT The King of Kings (Grace).

Answer 6

We are the real meaning of Christmas. God gave his son to be born into this sinfull world. Jesus was born, died and rose again for us. If it was not for us this would not have happened. We are the reason for the season. We do not know the exact day Jesus was born. December 25 was chosen. Let us not get so deep. This was meant to be a happy day. Let us all be in peace and joy. We can celebrate Christmas everyday. God Bless you all.

Answer 7

God's Love

Long ago, one silent night
God revealed His glory bright;
His own image came to man
For salvation's matchless plan.

Jesus, Savior, Shepard,King-
Lord of all to you we bring
Praises, wonder, thanks, and love
For this gift from God above.

The Son of Man has come to seek which was lost. Luke 19:10

Answer 8

The real meaning of Christmas?

Is that what you want to know?

See these two links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYexxEAl8Io&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Pastor Art

PS: No educated Christian believes that Jesus was really born on Dec 25th. We know Jesus was born sometime, we know the angels celebrated His birth, so why don't we?

Who cares about the date since no one living to day, except Jesus Himself knows the exact date.

Answer 9

It was a ceremony celebrating the birth of the god Mithras back in the olden days.

Answer 10

Yeah, "christmas" was celebrated long before Jesus was suposedly born.

I think it was called Winter Solstice