The True Meaning of Christmas by: Madie Blancaflor

           “Merry Christmas!”   This time of year you hear those words 24/7, but what do they really mean? Christmas is the most commercial holiday in America, possibly the world, yet only a few really understand the true reason to having this mystical holiday. Now days, all anyone cares about is saving money from all the sales, getting the most expensive gifts, and having the prettiest tree in your living room. What happened to spending time with loved ones, making homemade gifts, and visiting the Nativity Scene at your church?  

             Over the years, Christmas has been transformed from a traditional, religious holiday about family and celebrating the greatest gift of all (Jesus Christ) into a modern, money making scam. Sure there are the families who treat Christmas as they should, but there are also the companies that make a ton off of money off of over priced toys that loving parents want to buy for their kids or loved ones.  I mean if an old guy who needs to shave and lose a few pounds can make a living off of sitting on his butt asking fifty kids what they want their parents to get them for Christmas, you know something is wrong with our society. Candace Bohem, a sophomore here at Lake Hamilton, complains that too many people focus on themselves or the money they are spending. “This time of year, all you hear are little kids telling stories about sneaking in their parents’ room at midnight to see what presents their mom got them or parents arguing about how they are going to pay for those presents. It’s ridiculous. Christmas should be about family time and celebrating Jesus’ birthday. That’s why we have Christmas.”

            Candace is completely right. The majority of the people who celebrate Christmas across America don’t even know the history behind the holiday. Christmas has been celebrated from the beginning of Christianity as the birthday of Jesus Christ. As for the presents, there are different theories on why we give gifts: there is the historic fact of the three wise men giving Jesus gifts when he was born, and then there is the metaphor that Jesus was the greatest gift God gave to the world, so we get gifts on his birthday. Now, whether or not you are a Christian, that is why Christmas was invented and that’s why it should be celebrated.

            Ashley Kendall, another sophomore, says “Christmas is the time for family and friends. It should be when you come together as a family or community and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. How many presents you get or how much money your work gets from the Christmas rush doesn’t really matter. Christmas is the time for miracles and magic!” (and she didn’t mean the Wicca board, people!!!) Cameron Anderson believes that Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated for the wrong reasons. “It makes me so mad when people say the only reason they celebrate Christmas is for the presents. I mean if you are going to celebrate the holiday, at least have the courtesy to celebrate it for the right reasons.”

            So whether you get Call of Duty: Black Ops or that new cell phone you’ve been wanting for Christmas this year, don’t forget the reason for the season. Family and friends are important too. Join together for the holidays, tell them you love them, and don’t forget to thank God for the greatest gift He could have ever given: Jesus Christ, because THAT is the true meaning of Christmas.