by Elder Aries de Vera
Reading: John 1:14 (NIV)
Every December, our world becomes wrapped in the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas. Red, green, and gold fill the season, sometimes with a soft hint of silver. These colors brighten our homes, our streets, and almost every space we visit. Music plays in the background, stirring memories and feelings of comfort and nostalgia. Strings of lights glow in corners everywhere, and shops overflow with decorations, gifts, and festive displays. These traditions bring joy and beauty to many, yet they can also create simplified images of Christmas that sometimes overshadow the deeper meaning of Christ’s birth.
Along with the vibrant decorations comes the well-loved cast of characters that modern celebrations have embraced – Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus, and even iconic holiday artists like Mariah Carey. In the Philippines, the “ber” months signal the return of Jose Mari Chan’s familiar voice through his classic “Christmas in Our Hearts.” His presence has become a lighthearted and beloved part of Filipino Christmas culture, often filling social media with memes and reminders that the season has begun.
Christmas music has also grown beyond its traditional themes. Popular culture has given us songs like Santa Baby, Last Christmas, and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. These are songs that are catchy, fun, and festive. While these songs add variety to the season, they don’t always reflect the spiritual meaning of Christmas. This does not take away their charm; rather, it reminds us how easily the holiday can be shaped by trends and stories that differ from the biblical message.
These are just some of the images and expressions that surround Christmas today. They make the holidays colorful and enjoyable, but they can also gently draw our attention away from the deeper wonder behind it, the message of God’s love revealed in the birth of Christ.
Over the years, I have come to understand the true meaning of Christmas through the Church. As a child, Christmas was mostly about the bright decorations and the material things that came with it. But as I listened more to God’s Word, I realized that what we see on the outside is often just the “sugar-coated” side of Christmas. When we slow down and look past the glitter and noise, we discover that the first Christmas was nothing like the warm, cozy scenes we see on Hallmark cards.
The Bible gives us a much simpler and more honest picture, a scene filled with humility, sacrifice, and purity. Mary and Joseph faced hardship and uncertainty. They were tired, far from home, and searching for a place to stay. Jesus was not born in a clean, decorated room but in a manger, because “there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). This reminds us that God does not wait for perfect conditions to show His love. He meets us where we are. He embraces us in our struggles, our difficulties, and our worries. The birth of Jesus shows that God is closest to us when life feels far from perfect.
Another common idea tells us that Christmas is all about gifts. The more, the better. Yet the first Christmas was marked by one extraordinary act of giving: the Father offering His only Son as a gift of salvation for all.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
The greatest gift was not wrapped in fancy paper or put under a tree. It is not placed on those colorful and glittery paper bags we buy at a dollar store. It came quietly, wrapped in simple cloth, bringing hope and salvation to the world. This gift does not fade after the season ends. Nor does it have an expiry date. It is a gift that continues to transform lives. Christmas becomes meaningful not because of what we receive from others, but because of what God has given to us.
This year, as we celebrate, may we look beyond the stereotypes and rediscover the heart of Christmas. It is not about the season, it is about the Savior. It is not about perfection, it is about God’s presence. It is not about what we can buy, it is about the gift God freely gives. In the silence of that holy night, in a humble manger, love came down to dwell among us. Hope comes alive. May that truth fill our hearts with wonder once again.
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NIV)
Reflection: As you look at the Christmas season around you, what parts of it bring you closer to Christ, and what parts tend to distract your heart from Him?
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