Christmas Day Message: Restoring Christ to Christmas
One day, someone asked a group of children, “What is Christmas?” A boy quickly replied, “It’s Santa Claus’s birthday!” A girl disagreed, saying, “No, it’s the festival of stars.” Others chimed in, saying it was about lights, decorations, and gifts. Sadly, none of them mentioned Jesus or His birth.
This is not just about children. Look around during Christmas, and you will see how far we have drifted from its true meaning. Even a simple search for Christmas greeting cards online reveals this shift. Unless you specifically look for cards featuring Jesus, Mary, or the Holy Family, most results will show Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, or glittering decorations. For many, Christmas has become a celebration of everything except Christ.
But Christmas is not about Santa, trees, or lights. It is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It is the moment when God became one of us, not as a king in splendour but as a humble baby in a manger. It is a time of hope, light, and God’s incredible love for humanity. The miracle of Christmas is that the Creator of the world chose to live among us, bringing light to our darkness, peace to our hearts, and the assurance of His abiding presence with us.
The Gospel of Matthew (1:1-25) reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. It traces the lineage of Jesus, showing how God fulfilled His promises through generations, and recounts the miraculous events leading to His birth. It is here that we hear the angel tell Joseph, “They shall name Him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” This name reveals the profound mystery of Christmas: the Creator of the universe chose to become one of us, not as a mighty king but as a humble child. He entered our broken world to bring us hope, peace, and the assurance of His unshakable presence.
As we celebrate this sacred day, let us restore Christ to Christmas. Teach children that this is the birthday of Jesus, who came to save us. Let our decorations and celebrations reflect His story, the star that led the way, the manger that held Him, and the love that embraced the world. Let us live the message of Emmanuel by reaching out to those in need, comforting the lonely, and sharing the joy of Christ’s birth with everyone we meet.
Christmas is a reminder that we are never alone. Emmanuel, “God is with us,” means He is with us in our joys and sorrows, our successes and struggles. He is with us in every moment, offering His love and peace. This truth transforms Christmas from just a holiday into a holy day, a celebration of God’s boundless love and the hope that comes from knowing He walks with us always.
Today, as we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, may the light of Christ’s birth shine in our hearts and homes. Let us thank God for the gift of His Son and share His love with the world. May this Christmas remind us of Emmanuel, God is always with us, who brings light to our darkness and joy to our lives.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with the love, peace, and presence of Christ. May Emmanuel, bless you today and always.
