Christmas Then and Now

And the angel said unto them, fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Luke 2:10-11

For a child growing up in New York City, Christmas was like a dream land. What a time it was! It was beautiful - the lights, the snow, the cold weather, the people, the festivities and let's not forget the big Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, the Macy's Parade, and of course all the food you can eat! But the memory that sticks in my mind most was that great big train track built around a city on display in Macy's on the 7th floor! I can see it now. Somehow it seemed like people knew more about the meaning of Christmas back then.

So much has changed since then, mostly in how we celebrate Christmas, not necessarily that we do celebrate Christmas. Getting toys was never my main focus even then, it was friends and family, and they made sure I knew the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Today our kids do not know the true meaning of Christmas. Keep quiet, someone may hear you say the word 'Christmas'.

People are compromising more now than ever about Christmas for fear of offending someone. What happened? I cannot understand why we are not on the same page with this. Through the years Christmas has become more and more commercial, a religious debate, a corporate business decision. It has become just another day.

Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, period. Yes, all of the other things are great— family, friends, lights, trees, toys, etc, but in my heart it is all about Jesus Christ.

Will you compromise or will you share with your children the true meaning of Christmas? Put in your heart that no matter what is around you or who you may offend, we must realize that on that day, the Savior, Jesus Christ was born.

A belated Merry Christmas to you all from my family to yours!