For the longest time I have wanted to write about, The Meaning of Christmas. I am finally able to write about Christmas.

Christmas has become a holiday of gift giving. It seems to me that once winter approaches we start thinking about shopping and buying presents for family and friends because Christmas will soon be here. Actually, it has become a stressful time for many people. When people get stressed our moods change from happy to unhappy. Have we forgotten the real meaning behind Christmas? Children are relating Christmas with Santa Claus. Santa Claus is fun for all children. What happened to Jesus Christ? Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ not Santa Claus. I'm not really sure how Santa came into the picture. We seem to pay more attention to him and buying presents then just spending good old fashion time together with our loved ones. I was guilty about the way I treated and acted toward Christmas, especially when my girls were little. Santa Claus was far more important then Jesus Christ. Then as I became more spiritual, I started changing the way I viewed things, lots of things, Christmas being one of them. My daughters were in grammar school when I started telling them that Christmas is not about Santa but about Jesus Christ and his birth. Giving gift is something you should not feel you have to do. The reason I like to give gifts is because I am honoring the birth of Jesus. Just like they did when Jesus was born. The kings traveled to the manger and brought gifts to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Gift giving shouldn't be only material things. Driving to someones home to celebrate is a form of giving, bringing food or wine when visiting is a form of giving. How many times did you sit and open a gift that was given to you and think, "why did they buy me this" and then you can't wait until the next day so you can return it, or you spend Christmas worrying how your going to pay your bills because you spent all your money buying presents. Stressing yourself out with gift giving takes away the real meaning of Christmas. There are people stealing from stores so they can give someone a gift on Christmas.   We should not expect presents, but we should expect to spend the day with family, friends and loved ones having a beautiful time because this is the only time of the year that you can celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also the prettiest time of the year with the snow falling and everything outside is white and so pretty. I hope after reading this message you will begin to feel that Christmas is more about getting together and enjoying each others company then worrying about what to buy who and how much money you should spend on what person. Everyone, have a Happy and Wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with your family and friends.