Christmas Meaning

Christmas  Meaning

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word Christmas originates from the phrase “Cristes Maesse”, first recorded in 1038, which means the 'Mass of Christ' or Christ’s Mass. The word mass is the English version of the Latin word missa, a celebration of the Eucharist, done in memory of Jesus Christ, where Christians eat bread and drink wine. But not all is Latin; in fact, the word Christ comes from the Greek word 'Khristos', translated from the Hebrew term messiah, which means anointed. 

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of incredible act of God's love. The real Christmas story is the story of God’s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Though Christmas is a Christian Festival, it is observed and celebrated widely around the globe with many other faith adherents. It is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ, and the celebration first began to be observed in the early fourth century.

The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, as the Bible does not give specifics as to the dates of either His birth or conception. However, 25 December is celebrated as Christmas. Christmas is the Christian remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that, in Christ, God entered the human race and so deserves the title Immanuel or “God With Us” (Mt.1:23).

Some argue that Christmas traditions have pagan origins, obviously the idea of pagan origin is legitimate. Because the winter solstice and Saturnalia were closely tied together with Christmas. Further, some argue that the Christmas symbols such as candles, the trees , other decorating signs are depicting pagan connotation as well.  But all these claims were unwarranted and without evidence.