Christmas is now seen as being a time for family fun, parties, pressies, food, drink and tacky decorations. Is is possible to participate in this festival while celebrating the true meaning of Christmas? Christmas is traditionally a time of love, peace and 'goodwill to all men'. Unfortunately, in many ways it has been corrupted into a money-making bonanza.

Christmas is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the birth of Christ. Gifts are given as God gave the greatest gift of all by sacrificing his son. Gifts are also given in recognition of the gifts given by the Kings of the East, yet this is seldom remembered when people are excitedly emptying their stockings. Is this a mark of an unchristian greed for possessions, or is it part of the way we mark the anniversary by giving gifts to those we love? After all, what are these gifts really worth? In Matthew 6:19 we are shown the futility of hoarding such gifts: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth." This command tells us that earthly possessions have no value after death.

Perhaps one way of being a good Christian is to donate gifts to the Christmas appeals run by the Salvation Army, radio stations, shops and football clubs. This is supported by the words of Jesus to a man who wishes to inherit eternal life: "Go sell everything you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven" (Mark 10:21).

One of the main features of Christmas is the food. We have so many traditional dishes: roast turkey, chipolata sausages, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, mince pies and roasted chestnuts. So many of us indulge in these delicacies despite the fact that thousands are starving. This could be justified as it only occurs once a year. Even so, is such indulgence and greed truly Christian? However, donating food to the homeless is an action that does personify the true meaning of Christmas.

Sending Christmas cards is a way of showing, and in many cases retaining, acquaintances. This is a relatively Christian thing to do but are we lining the pockets of the card manufacturers? If that is the case then Christmas cards are just an extension of commercialisation. Personally, I quite like to buy Christmas cards from charity shops - they are often more attractive, better quality and a worthwhile cause reaps the benefits.

Alcohol plays an integral part in most people's Christmas. Most of the major Christian denominations do not advocate teetotalism but is drunken behaviour something that God would approve of? Maybe it does not matter, as long as we do not harm anyone due to our drunkenness. Another view is that it is how we do these activities, not what activities we do. In other words, drinking is not wrong provided that we drink in a Christian manner: "So whether you at or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Perhaps the whole image of Christmas with Father Christmas, Rudolph, Christmas trees, sleigh bells and snow is taking the attention away from the stable with its picturesque tableaux of the Virgin, the Christ child, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the Kings. Carols and decorations are tending to relate to the more modern Christmas subject matter as opposed to the traditional Christmas themes.

I believe that we should enjoy the pleasures of a modern Christmas as they all contribute to the happiness the festival creates, but we should remember the true message of Christmas. We should think of how we can make Christmas a little brighter for those less fortunate than ourselves. I think this because God gave to man the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should follow his lead in whatever ways we are able to.

--Author--