What Christmas Means to Me

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas is almost here and when you go any where you see people rushing about looking for that perfect gift for each person on their list. The more time you spend in town the worse the peoples attitudes get. By the time you get home you have a headache and are yelling at the ones that you love the most. Is this what does Christmas mean to you?

Is it Christmas only if there is presents under your perfectly decorated tree? Is it rushing around to buy that perfect gift? Is it working all day long to cook that perfect meal for your family? A lot of people today don't understand the real meaning of Christmas. They aren't teaching their kids the real meaning of Christmas. Today's Christmas to a child is, "What is Santa going to bring me and it better be good." and "What else am I getting from everyone else?" This is so far from what and how Christmas should be taught!

I don't know what Christmas means to you but this is a little what it means to me:

Luke Chapter 2 tells the story of Jesus' birth.

There was a decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that all of the world should be taxed. Everyone had to go to the city of his lineage in order to be taxed. Joseph being of the house and lineage of David had to travel to a city in Judea which was called Bethlehem in order to be taxed. With him traveled his espoused wife who was great with child. While they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. So she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there wasn't room for them in the inn.

In the same country there was shepherds in a field keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared and said to the shepherds "


Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.


For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger"

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men." And so after the angels left the shepherds said to each other, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  And so they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. When they saw what was told to them was true they went away praising God and spreading the good news that Jesus Christ our Savior was born on this day.


If Our Lord and Savior can come into this world and be laid in a dirty manger, why do we need all of the fancy decorations that we have? I'm not saying that they are wrong but remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus has been replaced by the story of Santa Clause and that is all kids are being taught today. Please teach your kids about the birth of Jesus!

I did find some where on line (a couple of years ago) an article about what "Christmas" decorations are suppose to symbolize. It's so hard to get things that we have been taught all of our lives out of our heads and our hearts. Teach your kids the meaning of these decorations and put your families complete focus on Jesus this Christmas!
When you look at your Christmas tree remember: That an evergreen tree's pure green color remains all year long, and depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.
When you look at the star topping your tree remember: That the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of fulfillment of His promise.
When you look at all the candles you have lit around your house remember: That the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and He is the only one who can displace the darkness we so often feel in our lives.
When you look at the wreath on your door remember: That the wreath symbolizes the nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

When you look at the gifts under your tree remember: That the gift represents generosity and good will. But most of all the gift represents the best gift of all: For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have EVERLASTING life.

When you look at the Holly Leaf remember: That the leaf represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red berries represents the blood shed by Jesus on Calvary.
When you look at the candy cane remember: The candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook of the staff is used to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is a symbol that we are our brother's keeper and should be worried about one another's salvation.

When you look at all the angels remember: That the angels were sent by God to herald the glorious news of our Savior's birth.

When you hear the twinkling sound of a bell remember: That lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell. The bell symbolizes guidance and return to our Lord and Savior.

So before you teach your kids about Santa Claus coming and the wonderful presents he will bring, teach them about the real reason for Christmas. Jesus was born in to a world of sin in order to die on a cross for our sins so that we may have everlasting life. If kids aren't taught this when they are young about Jesus, chances are they won't want to learn when they get older. Don't let all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season make you forget the real reason we have to celebrate:

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

Luke 2:11.

And just because I love this picture of Derreck and our niece Cheyann I'm going to share it on this post.

I love that man! He is going to be a great father one day.