Nine Basic Elements of Christmas

Most Christians do celebrate Christmas every year on the tradition handed to them from one generation to another. As this tradition grows in age, the ancient practice has influenced by the advent of modern technology and modern way of living. Its value becomes degenerated due commercialism.

Since I was a kid, then passed the stage of teenage, and in this senior age at the present, I do still value Christmas in its spiritual point of view. To remind me always and to avoid staying away from the very essence of this important event among the Christians, I have come up with an 9 basic elements of Christmas based on its acronym: CHRISTMAS

I hope these elements may appeal to anyone as to their humble understanding of the true meaning of Christmas and may serve as a constant guide to everyone as they celebrate Christmas every year.

Elements of CHRISTMAS

Christmas is very much welcomed by CHILDREN. It's the little children who really love Christmas. They're all excited when Christmas is just around the corner. They love also to sing Christmas carols. And they go out house to house at night to sing them.

Christmas brings everyone to HOME. Christmastime is one of the nicest time of the year to be with your beloved family when you're away from them for even a year. There's a popular song that says, "I'll be home for Christmas." Beside there's no place like home and Christmas season suits the time to be with your family.

Christmas provides an opportunity to REST in every endeavor.  The main eternal theme for Christmas is "peace on earth and goodwill to men." When it is Christmas day, everybody maintains peace among themselves. Even the bad makes a truce with the good. Even the messenger from on high, which took their rest and pay a homage to the Son of God who was born in a manger.

Christmas generates a spiritual kind of INTELLIGENCE. "The glory of God is intelligence." Those who value Christmas in its spiritual aspect have the spiritual intelligence. They're well-guided by the Holy Spirit. Their conscience or the spirit of Christ is leading them to the strait and narrow path. They're forgiving, humble, meek and slow-to-anger.

Christmas attaches SANTA as the benevolent, generous toy givers to children. Santa Claus plays the role of gift-giver. He gives gifts to those kids who are good, obedient to their parents, friendly, loving and caring. Christmas is more than giving at all. It makes everyone who are approved before the eyes of God happy. Christmas is not only Santa, but also it is SERVICE. Christmas is not every December but it is everyday.

Christmas is one of the best seasons in the year for THANKSGIVING. Family gathers every Christmas time. Good kids received gifts. Those have grudge among themselves reconcile during Christmas season. And therefore, Christmas is a time to be thankful for all those happy moments and to be grateful for everything the Lord has given.

Christmas gives great value to a lowly MANGER. It represents how Jesus found His place of birth. This means a trough or a wooden receptacle for the feedings of the animals. It signified the lowly place of Jesus'birth for there's no available room in the inn where His mother could find a comfortable place to give birth. A Christmas is not complete without this manger with infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the animals, three kings and the shepherds.

Christmas paves the way for the ADVENT of the Lord's of Lords. It is the coming of a Messiah to fulfill the prophecy of the ancient prophets of all time to come to the world and to do the work of His Father as He is commanded to do.

And Christmas is centered on the SAVIOR's birth. Everyone falls and comes short to the glory of God. Everyone suffers the spiritual death. In order to overcome this spiritual bondage, there should be someone who is sinless to offer his life to save them. And He is JESUS, the Savior to redeem the world from sin. And Christmas is a fulfillment of unfeigned love of our Heavenly Father as what the Bible says:"For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have an everlasting life."

So this is C. H. R. I. S. T. M. A. S. - the very essence or elements of Christmas. Thus making everyone of not getting lost in observing Christmas seasons every year! Merry Christmas to everyone!