The Religious Significance of Christmas

 by Navi Kamalendrarajah

Nativity at Night, c. 1490

Everybody knows that Christmas is a holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, and it holds significant and religious importance for Christians. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God and the central figure of Christianity.

For Christians, Christmas is a time to rejoice and reflect on the spiritual significance of Jesus' birth. The story of Christmas is told in the Bible, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. According to the biblical account, Mary, a young woman, was visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would conceive a child through the Holy Spirit. This child would be the Saviour of the world.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, although the exact date of Jesus' birth is not known. The choice of this date was influenced by various factors, including the desire to fit in with the celebration with existing winter solstice festivals and to provide a Christian alternative to pagan festivities.

The religious observance of Christmas varies among different Christian denominations, but common traditions include attending church services, singing hymns and carols, and reading passages from the Bible that recount the nativity story. Many churches also hold special candlelight services on Christmas Eve to symbolise the arrival of Jesus, the light of the world.

The Nativity scene, depicting the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born, is a significant symbol of Christmas that most if not all of us have performed once or twice. It often includes figures of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, angels, and the three wise men who travelled from afar to bring gifts to the newborn King. The scene serves as a reminder of the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth and the hope he brought to the world.

Another important aspect of Christmas is the act of giving and sharing. Christians believe that God showed his love for humanity by sending his Son to Earth, and in response, they strive to emulate this love by showing kindness and generosity towards others. Many people exchange gifts, not only as a way to express their love and appreciation for one another but also as a reflection of the ultimate gift of Jesus.

While Christmas has become a widely celebrated holiday with various cultural and secular traditions, its religious significance remains at the core for Christians but also ( as of late ) more well-known as a time for gifts, food, family and well-spent time off of school. For some, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However we can all use Christmas to reflect on the teachings of love, peace, and forgiveness that he preached, and to embrace the spirit of unity and goodwill towards all whether Christian, atheist or any other religious stance.