Why Christmas? (Guest Post)

This is a guest post by a young man who is a senior at Life Christian Academy.  His name is Danny and this is a paper he submitted for an English assignment about why Christmas. Let Danny know what you think by leaving a comment.

Why Christmas?

Christmas is one of the most important events to happen to human history second only to a biblical view of creation.  The birth of Christ is celebrated annually on Christmas day.  However, Christmas is much more than that.  In fact, the birth of Christ is so significant that our calendar dates are set around the time of his birth and is controversial enough to have court decision altered.

There is a very real need for Christ’s birth.  If one reads through Romans 1:16-32, one can see that humanity is in a desperate state.  Romans chapter one verse thirty-two speaks about how even though humans know what they do is wrong they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of them.  Humanity was in a desperate need of a Savior.

The birth of Christ has influenced millions of people throughout history.  Almost everyone in the world has heard of his birth, and the Bible is the number one selling book in the world.  John 1:14 talks about how the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  Before Jesus was ever born it was said that a redeemer would come to save the people.  His birth fulfilled hundreds of other prophesies that have been well documented throughout history.

Christmas has impacted the lives of people in a much bigger way than it appears.  The significance in Jesus’ birth and sinless life is that the people have a Savior.  The fact that the people have a Savior changes things entirely because they can now be followers of Christ.  By accepting Christ, they can spend eternity with him in heaven.  Without Christ, humanity is in a desperate state.  I found this out in my own life.  I saw that without God I was in a constantly empty state in which I would sin in order to try to fulfill some void in my life.  No matter what I did I could not fill the void.  One day I finally realized that I was missing God.

I do not believe that one can explain the birth of Christ properly by arguing about whether Christmas shouldn't be abbreviated “x-mas” or whether one would say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas.”  I do believe however that if others were to see true believers celebrating Christmas as it should be celebrated they would want to know out of curiosity why believers do not have to buy tons of presents to be happy.  A non-believer may constantly try to fill a void, just as I did.  One could argue that the void they feel is even bigger during the holidays.  By telling people about the reason behind Christmas, and by showing them the results in one’s actions, I believe the message could be spread more effectively around the world.

-- Danny L.