What is the meaning of Christmas?

Pondering the event that affected human history as no other!

I recently asked people around me what is the meaning of Christmas for them and the overwhelming answer I received was that "Christmas is about giving!" And we do a lot of giving during these days; we share time, we share gifts, we share food. It is the best time of the year! It is necessary, however, to not forget that Christmas is also about the greatest gift humanity received, the baby Jesus, who is God made man!

The birth of Christ is a momentous event in the history of the world. It occurred at a time when humanity was at a desperate crossroads. The Roman Empire was at its glory, but the people of the Empire lived in the midst of wars, oppression, poverty, disease, uncertainty. Their gods to whom they turned for comfort were capricious, full of passions and mischief and provided no hope of transformation for the human person. Turning to Zeus, or Poseidon, Mars or Aphrodite, provided no hope of deliverance from their human predicament because the lives of these gods were in many ways full of the same vices that plagued humanity. The gods were in the image of men, rather than the other way around. The people who honored and sacrificed to these gods were the tyrants of the world who turned around and made the lives of the people miserable. Arrogance, greed and licentiousness were the norm among the elite of the time. Humility, seen as a weakness and kindness, was looked down upon by the rich. 

On the side of the Jews, centuries had passed since Abraham and Moses and the promise of the prophets for deliverance of the Jewish nation was nowhere in sight. The suffering of the people under the yoke of Roman occupation was growing more and more unbearable. Zealots, one after the other declaring themselves as the promised Messiah, turned to violent resistance against the Romans with the only outcome being more bloodshed and further oppression for the people. Peace was a fleeting prospect. Pain and sorrow was the prevalent feeling among the Jews.

It was at such a time that God chose to come to earth as man. In the humble manger, sharing the poverty of the people, but bringing the peace of the heavens, unknown by men, He was revealed to simple shepherds by angels. Even nature stood still in awe as it beheld the miracle. The ineffable, incomprehensible Yahweh was lying in a manger as a vulnerable baby. His mother knew what a great mystery this was but could not comprehend why she was chosen to participate in it. 

The shepherds, simple and faithful, their minds and hearts pure from the machinations of the intellect see the angel and are filled with fear: "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And they rush to find Him and worship Him as a multitude of the heavenly host were praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men." (Lk 2:10-14)

He was born humbly, He lived and grew up humbly. He did not attend the great philosophical schools of his time. He lived and worshipped quietly in Nazareth until the time was right. Then, He revealed Himself fully. Since that time there has been no prophet, teacher, miracle worker or moral paradigm that the world has seen who can match Him.

Above all, He brought a message of peace and hope, not only through the divine wisdom he imparted, but also through the personal example of humility, love and sacrifice that He showed. He gave us the potential to transform ourselves from fallen individuals who are immersed in our passions and vices to "sons of God" like Himself, perfected through the power of the mystery of humility revealed to the simple of heart at the manger. Here lies the meaning of Christmas: We must be transformed in the image of Him who lies in the manger.

Fr. Panayiotis