The Christmas season is perhaps my favorite time of year. I love the music, the special holiday foods with their delicious aromas, the brightly decorated Christmas trees, and the candles adorning windows. Some yards come to life with the lights of Christmas.

Few would disagree that Christmas has become entirely too commercialized. We often seem too caught up in all the buying, selling, gimmicks, and gadgets. We endure the pressures of the breathless rush to get all those pies and cookies baked, all those gifts wrapped, and all those Christmas cards addressed.

Yet, a still small voice still 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. Luther sought a way 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 light of the world. Luther also receives credit for writing the words to the carol “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. Nickolas would slip out of his home on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to poor children in his hometown who would otherwise receive no gifts. Another story contends that Nicholas dropped golden coins down a chimney to provide doweries for three daughters of a family, saving these young women from being sold into prostitution.

For Nicholas, giving these gifts was a tangible way of showing the love and grace of God.

The angel atop most 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 star stands for the star blazing in the sky that attracted the attention of the Wise Men in the East when Jesus was born. The Magi journeyed to find the child who was “born King.” When they found him, they offered him 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” are but a few of the songs and carols celebrating the birth of Christ.

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?” sung to the ancient tune “Greensleeves,” and the spiritual “Sleep, You Little Jesus Boy.”

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

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.”

So, on this Christmas Day, I hope you pause to contemplate God’s most profound love gift to this world – and rejoice in the blessings of that unspeakable gift.

Merry Christmas, and may God bless you.

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