I think back with great reverence and a bit of childish mischief thinking what the fabled Andy Rooney would have to say about things like Christmas.

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” And “The Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. There’s a kind of glory to them when they’re all lit up that exceeds anything all the money in the world could buy.” – Andy Rooney.

Kind of bland for a curmudgeon like Andy Rooney, so I’m thinking he only wanted to sideswipe the subject. If Rooney only had wistful reverence, let’s take a deeper dive here. So, let’s go to the tape as they say in the sports world when reviewing something of significance to be discussed and debated.

What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but what is the true meaning of Christmas? For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Christmas season, especially in the West, is a mix of pre-Christian, Christian and secular traditions. What’s interesting is the etymology of the word Christmas. It literally means Christian Mass. It’s a shortened form of Christ’s Mass.

Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith. It’s also a celebration. It’s when Christians celebrate God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. The Bible tells of his birth hundreds of years before, fulfilling prophecies.

The Christmas story in the Bible 

The Christmas story is recorded in Luke 2:4-19.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:4-19)

So the everlasting messaging of Hope from our Savior is particularly meaningful with a world seemingly intent on mindless hatred of ideology. We must bend a knee and pray that a Christlike spirit dwells deeply in the souls of those with such hatred not yet redeemed.

Merry Christmas everyone and don’t forget; Don’t clean up that mess of Christmas wrappings too quickly, savor the moment and true meaning.

Les