How Do You Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas?

With the flurry of presents, cookie baking, parties and time spent with the relatives, it’s easy to forget why we celebrate Christmas. Traditions passed down over the years can sometimes make us forget why Dec. 25 is a special day on the calendar.

Christmas used to be a pagan holiday, but Christians turned it into a holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The season of giving, for the Christian faith, is a reminder of the ultimate gift – the birth of a savior who would die for our sins. We give gifts to show our love for our friends and relatives, just as God showed his love through the birth of his son.

While not everyone holds to the Christian faith, the holidays have become a time of giving back to others and to reflect on what’s important in life. Whether that reflection is done around a fireplace with family or at a church service with candles, people can take time away from the busyness of the season.

Patch readers weighed in on the true meaning of Christmas and shared how they celebrate the holiday season:

Mindy Baumgartner said that it’s been hard to enjoy the holiday season because of busyness.

”But a few things have sparked my life the past few weeks: seeing my pretty little niece in her Christmas dress, driving to see the Jamestown Lights and other houses all decked out, and yesterday's snow fall reminded me that I love a White Christmas! Happy Holidays!” Baumgartner wrote.

“In my opinion, Christmas is first about the birth of Jesus, then the love and gathering of family,” Lori Miller wrote.

Scot Bartels posted a link to Linus’ iconic speech from a Charlie Brown Christmas, which quotes the Gospel of Luke from the Bible: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and goodwill towards men .... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Sue Graceffa said her Christmas centers around family.

"Decorate, sing, pray, spend time with family, appreciate life," she posted.

Heather Rayne said that for too many people, Christmas is just another reason to over-consume and over-spend.

“Do you mean the true meaning like the birth of Christ? I mean, let’s face it...that is what Christmas is meant to celebrate. Do I personally celebrate that in particular? No, to be honest, I do not. And it would be nice to say it’s all about love and family and cozy stuff like that...but let’s face it...for too many it has turned into something stressful, financially debilitating and just another reason to over-consume, spoil our kids and give in to offensive commercialism,” Rayne wrote.