What Is the True Meaning of Christmas?
- Brittany Rust Contributing Writer
- Updated Dec 06, 2024
Christmas truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year. For many, there are warm parties, cozy homes, fond traditions to celebrate, and gifts to be shared. It’s a joyous time of celebration. However, sometimes we get lost in the season and forget the reason we celebrate it, to begin with. Among the hustle and bustle, our focus is lost and priorities are misaligned.
Most people can tell you the origins of Christmas—that it’s a remembrance of the birth of Christ. But either that’s the extent of their knowledge or they lose sight of this in the busyness of the holiday. For many, the meaning of the holiday simply means love, peace, and kindness. But do we truly understand why we celebrate Christmas? Not Santa Claus, or the Christmas tree, or any other of the various traditions wrapped up into Christmas. Why do we celebrate this occasion—what is the true meaning of Christmas?
The Meaning of Christmas
Christmas is far more than the twinkling lights, wrapped gifts, and festive meals—it is the celebration of God’s incredible love for humanity. At its heart, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, who came to bring hope, peace, and salvation to all. As the Gospel of John reminds us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This miraculous moment represents God stepping into our broken world, not as a distant deity, but as Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). Through Jesus, we are invited into a relationship with God and offered the greatest gift of all—eternal life.
The true meaning of Christmas is found in the humility and love of the Christ child, born in a manger, yet destined to bring light to the darkness. It is a time to reflect on God’s grace and to share that love with others through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion.
The word "Christmas" originates from the Old English phrase "Cristes mæsse", meaning "Christ's Mass." First recorded in historical documents around the year 1038, it refers to the special Eucharistic service (Mass) held to honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The real message of Christmas is a celebration of Christ with us, marking the profound moment when God entered the world to bring hope and salvation.
The Birth of Jesus and Meaning of Christmas
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” -Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)
For thousands of years mankind waited for the coming of Christ; they longed for their King to arrive and free them from oppression. The Old Testament is full of prophecies, including this one from Isaiah 9. The Bible is full of Scripture pointing directly to the One who would save mankind from their sins. When Isaiah described His coming, he described His coming as an infant. But this child would grow and establish a Kingdom of righteousness forevermore. This is the message of Christmas - the answer to the waiting Messiah and Savior who would take away the sins of the world. When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the moment in history when prophecy was fulfilled. God came to be with us.
Celebrating Christmas and Salvation in Jesus
We celebrate because when Jesus came, he also left us with the gift of salvation. His birth is significant because of His death. For thirty-three years Jesus lived a life free from sin so that He could be the perfect sacrificial lamb for the atonement of our sins. On Calvary, Christ paid the price and overcame death so that we could have victory over sin and condemnation. So, when that precious baby was born and placed in the manger, it wasn’t just another birth. It was the beginning of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. An act He didn’t have to take part in but He chose to out of love.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
This very act of humility and his choice to die on the cross is cause for bowed knees and lifted hands. I know the busyness of the season can cause time to fly and before we know it, the holiday has passed and we have forgotten to celebrate why we are celebrating it in the first place. But don’t get sidetracked—get perspective. Choose reverence and give honor where honor is due.
Take time this holiday season to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by glorifying the One who gave it all. A child was born in humble circumstances and his sacrificial death reflected the same, however, both were significant for humanity. Without the death of Christ, salvation isn’t possible. So without His birth, neither is it possible. Jesus coming to Earth that night changed everything and it’s a moment we should celebrate with all our hearts.
Certainly, enjoy the parties and food and gifts, but don’t forget to point your heart, family, and those around you to Christmas' true meaning: Christ came with a plan for our redemption.
Bible Verses about the Meaning of Christmas
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6
This verse, written hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, is a clear prophecy about the coming of the Savior, describing not only His birth but also His divine nature and mission. The "child" and "son" mentioned in the verse point to the humanity and divinity of Christ—fully human as a child born into the world, yet fully divine as the Son of God given to humanity.
At Christmas, Isaiah 9:6 is often quoted to highlight the fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus. Each title given to Him in the verse reflects aspects of His role in the world: as a Wonderful Counselor, He brings wisdom and guidance; as Mighty God, He embodies divine power; as Everlasting Father, He offers eternal care and love; and as the Prince of Peace, He reconciles us to God and brings peace to our hearts. This verse beautifully captures the hope and joy of Christmas, celebrating the arrival of the Savior who changes everything.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16
Christmas is the celebration of God "giving" His Son to humanity, which this verse highlights. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the beginning of God's ultimate plan of salvation. Through Jesus, God demonstrated His immense love for a broken world, sending His Son to live among us, to teach us, and eventually to die for our sins. Without the birth of Jesus—what we celebrate at Christmas—the promise of eternal life through His death and resurrection could not have been fulfilled.
John 3:16 reminds us that Christmas is not just about the manger, but about God's love reaching down to rescue us. It’s about the incredible gift of grace and salvation made available to everyone who believes in Jesus. In the giving of His Son, God invites us into a relationship with Him, making Christmas not just a holiday, but a profound reminder of His love and the hope we have in Christ.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14
At Christmas, we celebrate this profound moment when the eternal Word of God, Jesus, took on human form to live among us. This act of humility and love is central to the Christmas story. The phrase "made his dwelling among us" literally means "tabernacled" or "pitched his tent," signifying that God chose to be present with His people in a personal, tangible way. Through the birth of Jesus, God entered our world to bridge the gap between humanity and Himself.
John 1:14 also highlights that Jesus came "full of grace and truth," embodying God’s character and mission. Christmas is not just the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also a recognition of what His coming means: the revelation of God's glory and the beginning of His plan to bring grace and salvation to all. It reminds us that Christmas is about God reaching out to us with love, offering hope and redemption through His Son.
A Christmas Day Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ,
true God from true God,
you became a little child for us so the world you made would be saved.
Just as a child is born to us and a Son is given to us,
may we be born again through you
and always remain in the number
of God’s faithful children;
through your merits, O blessed Savior,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.
Source: Mozarabic Collect for the The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day, freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Halle, New York, 1881, p.17 #1
This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!
What is Christmas? Understanding History, Origin and Traditions
Christmas Eve History and Traditions
When Was Jesus Born? History of December 25th
Where Was Jesus Born? 5 Things to Know about Bethlehem
Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Were Given to Baby Jesus
What is Advent: Definition & Meaning Behind Christmas Tradition
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