Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to header Skip to footer

The real meaning of Christmas

Beyond commercialism and climate

From the December 2002 issue of The Christian Science Journal


"Talk me into Christmas," my friend said. "Sometimes I think Charles Dickens's character Ebenezer Scrooge was right. Christmas has become so commercial, so repetitious, that sometimes I'd just like to pass on the whole thing."

At first I thought he was kidding. Or that he'd had a momentary backlash against Christmas decorations appearing in early November. Then I realized my friend was serious. He felt he'd had something valuable stolen from him—the true meaning of Christmas. He thought society had lost the glory of Christmas—its universal significance and its potential influence for good in the world.

Until I heard my friend's remark, I thought I was immune to feeling affected by negative thoughts about Christmas. But his sincerity made me see a past family experience in a new light.

Sign up for unlimited access

You've accessed 1 piece of free Journal content

Subscribe

Subscription aid available

 Try free

No card required

More In This Issue / December 2002

concord-web-promo-graphic

Explore Concord—see where it takes you.

Search the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures