Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the music, the special holiday foods and their aromas, the brightly decorated Christmas trees, the candles adorning windows, and more. Some homes come to life with the lights of Christmas.

Few would doubt that Christmas has become entirely too commercialized. Still, even amid all the buying and selling, the gimmicks and gadgets, the breathless rush to get all those pies and cookies baked, all those gifts wrapped, and all those Christmas cards addressed, a still small voice speaks to hearts about the real message of Christmas. Most symbols of Christmas are testimonies to the message of God’s love gift to this world – His Son and our Savior.

Some contend that the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol borrowed from Norway, Finland, or Sweden. However, the story I heard about the first Christmas tree traces its beginnings to Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who sought to capture the beauty of the crisp winter sky in the warmth of his home. According to this story, Luther looked at the Christmas tree, with all its shining lights, as a symbol representing Christ as the world’s light. In some circles, Luther receives credit for writing the words of “Away in a Manger.”

The Santa Claus tradition traces its history to a wealthy monk known now as St. Nicholas. According to this story, St. Nick would slip out of his home on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to poor children in his hometown who would otherwise receive no gifts. For Nicholas, giving these gifts was a way of showing the love and grace of God.

The angel that sits atop many Christmas trees symbolizes the angel of the Lord who appeared to announce the birth of Christ. Luke’s gospel records:

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

For those who prefer a star atop the tree, that symbol stands for the star that blazed in the sky when Jesus was born and attracted the attention of the Wise Men in the East. They journeyed to find the child who was “born King,” and when they saw Him, they offered Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The story of the birth of Jesus has filled our culture with music. “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” spring to my mind. We have Handel’s “Messiah” with its boisterous song of celebration, “For Unto Us a Child Is Born.” We have folk songs, such as “Mary Had a Baby,” “What Child Is This?” to the tune of “Greensleeves,” and “Sleep, You Little Jesus Boy.”

Yes, I know we have a host of so-called secular songs, such as “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” “The Christmas Song,” “White Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” But these songs have special meaning because most celebrate family or invoke childhood memories. Their appeal stems from people who have tried to share the celebration of the birth of Jesus with those closest to them.

Behind all these feelings of good tidings and goodwill stands the angelic proclamation, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

As Christmas approaches, I trust that you will take time to contemplate God’s greatest love gift to this world – and rejoice in the blessings of that unspeakable gift.

Merry Christmas. May God bless you.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.