By Henrylito D. Tacio

“Let’s sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday. This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus.”—Jose Mari Chan

Christmas means different things to different people. Washington Irving said: “Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” Emily Matthews wrote: “From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.”

George Matthew Adams reminds: “Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.” Augusta E. Rundel quips: “Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance–a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.”

Among Christians, Christmas stands as the most celebrated – and eagerly awaited – occasion of the year. As the day commemorating Christ’s birth draws near, it is appropriate to reflect deeply on the true significance of Christmas. For some, it may signify feasting, food, and an abundance of eating.

For others, it represents the time to journey back home for a grand family reunion. For many, Christmas is the season for receiving gifts and bonuses. However, Christmas encompasses much more than these aspects.

In my view, Christmas can be encapsulated in the acronym “CHRISTMAS”:

“C” represents the courage of the wise men who challenged King Herod’s decree. They were commanded to inform him once they had found the Baby. “Go and make a careful inquiry for the Child. When you have found him, report to me…” But instead of reporting back to Herod, the wise men returned home on another way. (Read Matthew 2:7-12)

“H” is for the hymns sung by the angels when Jesus was born. Luke 2:13-14 recorded: “All at once there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host, singing the praises of God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.’” Today, Christmas hymns and carols abound, including the classic, “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

“R” is for the response of Joseph. Upon learning of the pregnancy of Mary, Joseph, “being a just man, and not willing to disgrace Mary publicly,” he made plans to break the engagement privately. But before he could do so, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.”

“I” is for the information brought by angels. “Don’t be afraid!” the angel told the shepherds on the day Jesus was born. “I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.”

“S” is for the shepherds, the first people to have seen the child Jesus. According to the gospel of Luke an angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them that the Messiah was born. After hearing the good news, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told the couple what the angel had said about the Child. “The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them” (Luke 2:20).

“T” signifies the thanksgiving we ought to express. In my view, Jesus is the most significant gift to humanity. He entered this world and sacrificed Himself for our transgressions. By placing our faith in Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we can be united with Him in heaven for eternity (John 3:16).

For that, we need to be thankful. The wise men themselves brought gifts: “When they saw the Child with His mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to Him” (Matthew 2:11).

“M” is for Mary, the physical mother of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel told her that she would be the instrument in bringing Jesus into the world, she simply submitted to God’s will: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” When her cousin, Elizabeth, learned about it, she said these famous words: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”

Mary, who was virgin when she became pregnant, responded by exalting: “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46, 47). Mary was the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Old Testament: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son…”

“A” is for the address, where Jesus was born. It was prophesied: “Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader, who will guide my people Israel.”

Bethlehem was the residence of Ruth, while Hebron, located 25 kilometers to the south, was the dwelling place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Helena, the mother of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor of the Roman Empire, constructed the original Church of Nativity in Bethlehem around 330 A.D.

“S” is for the significance of the birth of Jesus. Isaiah 9:6-7 provided this information: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.”