The Meaning of Christmas
by Wes Fessler

Christmas is a time for individual reflection and the pursuit of enhanced and improved relationships. The holiday season has an inherent manner of causing all to reflect on what is most precious about life and to honor such cherished elements through giving. Christmas is a holiday that is repeatedly affronted with criticism and scorn for a commercialism that allegedly removes all semblance of its true origin. There are those who say that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the emergence of colorful characters and the grand allure of shopping malls with outlandish displays. While Christmas has evolved through time, its true meaning has never been more pronounced, nor its purpose more cherished.

From the days when a star appeared over Bethlehem, a magical phenomenon emerged in the world with a message that would resonate in the hearts of man for all time to come. The message was that of charity--a word with more meaning than its name implies. It was bestowed upon the world by a man named Jesus Christ by example and profound conviction. The charity which he brought forth was goodwill to all and love of all humanity. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

Now some may scoff at the mention of his name and the suggestion that Christmas can be summed up in so simple a manner. Some may defy the suggestion that the Christmas of Jesus Christ need apply to all people. Christmas, however is not limited to Christ or Christianity. The abolition of slavery is not limited to Abraham Lincoln nor the equality of men limited to Martin Luther King Junior. The true meaning of Christmas is not only this simple, it is yet far more simple than the complex and diverse disputations that exist among man upon religions, prejudices, or biases. The true meaning of Christmas as demonstrated by Jesus Christ is to love one another and to do good to all men.

All that Christmas is, and all that it has become has in no way shrouded the true meaning of Christmas. The colorful characters and grand allure of shopping malls cannot obscure the simplicity of Christmas in its true intent. Whether in churches, shopping malls, or otherwise the true meaning of Christmas remains as the notion of bearing goodwill toward all people and showing greater love for all humanity.

Christmas is not limited to Christians. As other inherently good ideals, Christmas is for everyone. Christmas is a time when we think of others more than ourselves. Christmas is a time when we try to be kinder and more caring to one another. Christmas is when we endeavor to show more goodwill, compassion, and kindness with greater love for humanity. The true meaning of Christmas has never been more pronounced or cherished than it is today. The true meaning of Christmas is charity.