WHAT’S THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS?
Let's Explore The Answer
Recent polls indicate that anywhere between 70-90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, but many of them don’t identify as Christian. Like Easter, the origins of the Christmas holiday are firmly grounded in Christianity but the holiday itself has become commercialized, often leading to confusion about what it all really means.
Let’s take a look at the roots of this internationally celebrated holiday, which commemorates the birth of Christ and takes place every year on December 25th.
What Skeptics & Atheists Say
While some atheists don’t celebrate Christmas, many do. However, skeptics of Christianity often claim that any record of Jesus’ birth is simply a historical fact that He existed. The birth and life of Jesus, it’s often said, provides no evidence that He was anything more than a man living on the earth. Some don’t even believe that Jesus the man ever existed. Many skeptics or those from other religions claim that Jesus was a holy prophet, much like the revered prophets Abraham, Moses, or Muhammad, but that He wasn’t inherently divine, much less the Son of God. Therefore, to these skeptics, Christmas is not the celebration of the immaculate conception and birth of God in human form, as widely accepted by Christians.What The Bible Says
The full Biblical account of Christmas, as we celebrate it today, is found in Luke 2:4-19. This Gospel tells the story of the baby Jesus’ birth to Mary and Joseph, an engaged couple from Nazareth. Mary had conceived through a miracle after an angel appeared to her telling her she would give birth to the Son of God. Through a series of events that led Mary and Joseph out of Nazareth, this baby, Jesus, was born in a manger in a stable.
Though the exact date of his birth is unknown, Christians have celebrated this event on December 25 every year. Additional references to the birth of Christ are found in Matthew 2 and Galatians 4:4-5. The reason Christ’s birth is so significant is that Jesus is one of the three persons making up the holy trinity of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It also marks the beginning of the Christian faith.
Before Jesus’ birth, Christianity didn’t exist. Many prophets of Judaism predicted a messiah coming to earth, as seen in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Christians believe that Jesus’ birth was the coming of that messiah. As John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” For Christians, the Christmas holiday honors God’s manifestation on earth in the form of Jesus.
What would happen if you embraced the possibility that the God of the Bible really did create the world and really does care for you?
Meet New People
As human beings, we’re all born with an innate need to know others and to be known. Having healthy relationships is essential to having a full and satisfying life, but not everyone has the kind of positive, supportive, and meaningful relationships they need. Many people are even uncomfortable with the process of meeting new people and making new friends.
We believe that life is better lived in an authentic community of people who appreciate the connection to others, we’ve created a variety of environments that make it easy for you to meet new people and initiate new relationships. Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, you’re welcome to explore, learn and grow with us.
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