Editor Notes: This article is an opinion editorial that reflects the beliefs and opinions of the writer, these beliefs and opinions do not reflect the views of the rest of the staff or represent Owatonna High School. This is a point-counter point article.  The campanion piece The war on Christmas and why it does not exist can be found also in the opinion section.

The first documented celebration of Christmas was in 354 AD. The celebration involved feasting and drinking late into the night. The purpose of the celebration was to honor the Christ as the Messiah. It is recorded that they built an alter and worshipped Jesus Christ.

The word “Christmas” comes from the Hebrew word “māshīaḥ”, meaning Messiah. This Hebrew word translates into Greek and Latin. Those words translate to “Christ”. And, if you look at the literal translation of “Christmas,” it means, “Christ, one who affects many.” Christmas is defined as a Christian feast on Dec. 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. And with that, the Christian world celebrates.

Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. That is the definition of Christmas. This means Christmas should serve as a reminder of the Savior that came into the world to save us. It means that Christmas is not about family. It is not about the presents. It is not about Christmas cookies. It is not about Santa and Rudolph. It is about Christ.

Today, less and less Americans are identifying and aligning themselves up with Christianity. That means the meaning of Christmas is being lost, too. The question is, why?

Some say, myself included, there is a war on Christmas. But, this war is not external. It is not fought with guns and bombs. This war is internal. It is a battle of conflicting emotions and ideas in each person. And this internal war, is wreaking havoc on Christmas.

Christmas is the same every year. Families tend to do the same things each and every year. We know the story, but it holds no meaning. We hear it every year. We have forgotten what the Christmas story is about and what it truly means.

People want something tangible. Presents, cookies, and family are tangible things. You can see them, smell them, and touch them. Christ, however, is not tangible. The definition of faith is the belief in something that cannot be seen. The belief in Christ is faith. And to the human mind, that is hard to accept. But, the accepting is the faith. Also, Christ, to most people, is history. But, in all actuality, He is living history. And more and more, we are forgetting the “Living” part.

Without Christ in Christmas, there is no Christmas. You might as well say, “Merry December 25th.” Christmas is a celebration of Christ. Without that part, without Him, there is nothing to celebrate.

“But,” one might argue, “Christmas has changed from its original meaning.” You can say that all you want; however, in the end, it is the people that change. Christmas still has the same meaning, the same impact, and the same person at its center. A holiday cannot change. But, people can. And, we can change the meaning of things. We do change the definitions of words all the time. Christmas is already being slowly changed into a commercial “holiday,” in which there is no Christ.

Could it be that this lack of faith, the lack of Jesus Christ in Christmas, is due to repeating the same thing over and over again? Is Christmas becoming so typical that it no longer holds any meaning?

This Christmas, remember that without Christ, there is no Christmas. Look into Christmas. Find out the significance of Christ and His birth. And remember, just because Christ is not tangible does not mean He is non-existent and not relevant to our lives. Because, as Christians believe, He is very present and very relevant in our lives.

Merry Christmas!!!