Another Christmas has passed by. The lights are down, the tree has been put or thrown away, and the decorations are packed up and stacked in the closets and garage. We are left with fond memories of holiday parties, gatherings, treats, and presents. Back to a regular day’s life we must go.

In all of that holiday cheer and affairs many have ignored the true meaning of Christmas. Somehow Jesus who is the Christ in Christmas gets substituted with Santa Claus, little helper elves, and magic reindeer in the popular media and family holiday traditions. Many would rather believe in the made-up creations of man than the one true creator.

Seven of you that took the poll got that the holiday was mainly about Jesus. The majority, 13, said something else was the main draw of the holiday or just simply avoided the holiday altogether.

• 7: A time to reflect on Jesus and what He means to me.
• 2: A time of gift giving and holiday cheer.
• 3: A time to gather with family and friends.
• 3: I do not celebrate Christmas.
• 5: I hate Christmas with a passion.

Year after year the manger story gets told but our Lord was born into flesh over 2,000 years ago. It is a story worth telling and one that many only hear or know about from the once or twice a year visit to a church at Easter or Christmas. The manger story is only the beginning though and only a handful chapters in the books of the Gospels are dedicated to it. The rest of the writings in the Gospels are about the adult Jesus and how His resurrection from death is what gives us an opportunity at life. That is the story that needs to be told.

Beyond the Gospels Jesus is alive today and in Heaven at the righthand of power that is God Most High and His father. He is actively involved in the affairs of the world on Christmas and every day. If we are to take one day out of the year and give Him honor before the world then Christmas should be about how Jesus affects us today. The baby Jesus was a promise, Jesus the man was the way to the promise, and Jesus resurrected into glory was the promise fulfilled. We must tell the full story celebrating His birth to resurrection. Most of all we believers must share what He is doing today in our lives.

Christmas does not need to be a holiday of fantasy and shopping mall excursions. We true mature believers need to take it back from the secular culture making it a holiday expressing our joy to our Lord and Father who is Jesus the Christ.