When I was a kid it was all about the decorations and presents. When I became a Christian it was all about the birth of Jesus, and I felt uncomfortable with the presents and Santa stuff. Now I'm halfway between the two.

Since I've learned that Jesus wasn't really born on December 25, or even close to that, I see the day as a symbolic day to celebrate Love coming into the world. I see the presents and decorations and parties as ways of celebrating peace, love, and joy that are of God.

So what prompted this question? I want to hear your answer too!

For me it's a time for family to get together. I love big family Christmas dinners, with heaps of kids running around, drunken grandmothers in the corner, and uncles playing frisbee outside.

I also want my children to know about the "true" meaning of Christmas, i.e. Jesus' birth story. I'm not a Christian, but this is still important to me.

I personally hate the commercialisation of it all, although we do give presents to the kids (although we spend very very little).

I'll tell you once I see what other people say. What prompted it was a sermon today at church. It was the kids' sermon, and they talked about what Christmas meant to them.

Hey, Julia, do you remember in tenth grade when I started going to church, and I spent that Christmas giving out cards to everyone telling them it was about Jesus' birthday? That was so much fun! I wish I wouldn't be looked upon as a weirdo* if I did that again (of course, I'm sure I was then, too, but...)!

*Just for clarification, it's not weird to tell people Christmas is about Jesus' birth. The weird part was how idiotic and fanatical I was about it!

christmas is something i can't even describe because it's the beginning of the unfolding of the whole story for me. one little baby- God as man- wow dude.

but then it's family fuzzy fun stuff too.

Christmas... very much like Christ Himself... represents "home" to me. "home" has been many places throughout my life, but being "home" with my family is a sense of love, peace and acceptance... unconditionally given and taken.


to me, it represents the promise that we are all God's children, and will always have a "home" somewhere.... whether here on Earth, or in our Father's Kingdom.

what kate and julia said. it ALL changes when you truly trust God and become a Christian. All the other stuff melts away.
but the warm fuzzies and my kids on Christmas morning, plus all of the traditions of it are awesome and memory makers.

Right now? Christmas means even more work than usual and that time will fly by even more quickly than usual.

It was more fun when I was a kid.

I'm wrestling with it. I'm truly wrestling with it this year.

GIVING, I love to give. It is more fun than to receive for me. I love the laughter and hugs when we all get to Grandmas house.

Singing carols and church songs around the fire place. Christmas eve, getting to open one present.

I really do agree w/all of your answers esp. Carries about "home".

christmas is:

family
giving
smiles
eyes lighting up
"oh my god!"
"i love it!"
"thats so cool!"
"thank you!"

and everything in between...

peace...

hello christi. i have always loved christmas. when i was a child we did not get a lot of things during the year so christmas was a special time and an exciting time. i lived in massachusetts and back when i was young there was always snow on the ground in december. on christmas day we would all be up realearly and we would wake my parents up. my parents would come out and my father would hand out the presents to me and my brother and my sister. then we would go outside and play. that does not seem to happen nowadays. i have driven down the streets xmas morning in ga. and there are very few children out playing and it isn't even very cold here. i also love hearing all the xmas stories and watching all the good shows on t.v. it is just a great time of the year for me. merry xmas to you and yours.

To me Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birthday, giving to the children and getting together with family! I enjoy all of the fellowship, but it's so easy to get caught up in all of the hoopla! I always end up in debt!! Is is worth it? I don't know, it's fun, while your shopping!?!