Are people forgetting the true meaning of Christmas?

Answer 1

Some other answers from our community:There are truly two different celebrations that currently share the name "Christmas." ing your question depends upon which you are referring to.

First, there is the Christian religious celebration. It takes place in churches and Christian homes, and is primarily focused on the legendary birth of Jesus. AFAIK, this celebration hasn't lost the CHRIST at all.

Second, is the social Christmas tradition. The social Christmas tradition has taken the name of the religious tradition, but truly it is an multicultural and non-religion-specific celebration. The social tradition of Christmas features elements that predate the legendary birth of Christ by as much as 2000 years; it also contains many relatively modern elements invvended by and for the secular tradition, introduced in the Victorian period. This celebration has many meanings to many people, and there are many who celebrate and find meaning without the religious elements at all. In that case, Christ is NOT the true meaning of Christmas, at least not for everybody, and it seems a bit arrogant to assume he is.

Couldn't agree more with the above answer. I propose we change the name of the secular celebration to Santa Claus Season, just to prevent confusion. It would also be convenient if we changed the religious celebration to sometime in January or February, when we're not all so busy, but that's just me.

Yes, I believe many folks are allowing secularism to take over the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas has but one true meaning, that is the birth of Jesus Christ, which is Biblical Truth and in no way legendary. The birth of Christ was foretold many years before it actually happened as is evidenced in Holy Scripture. The word Christmas itself has the meaning of a Festival for Christ. There are many who want to diminish or discount the true meaning by doing things their way, and there will be an eternal price to pay for this kind of thinking. Christmas is a wonderful time of year and one we should all enjoy with thoughts of giving, loving, and sharing with a bit of the passion Christ shared as he climbed onto that old rugged cross for you and for me.

Answer 2

Until the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine, there was no date set aside for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and December 25th was the day for the celebration of the birth of the sun god, Mithras. Perhaps, when Constantine decided to take over this date as the nominal birthday of Jesus, he realised that "Jesus Day" or even "Christ Day" would not sell. But "Christmas Day" even sounds like Mithras Day.

The original meaning of Christmas Day, December 25th, is the celebration of the birthday of Mithras. Yes, people have forgotten this.