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The true story of Christ's birth is prophesied in Isaiah 7 and is revealed in Luke 2.

So… if Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, where's the Christmas tree? Where's Santa?

Have you ever stopped to consider where many of our Christmas traditions originated like Santa Claus, decorating a tree, giving presents, hanging mistletoe, burning a yule log, or caroling?

As I've gotten older, I've become more and more concerned with how our society celebrates this holiday. The focus is increasingly on buying presents, sending Christmas cards, decorating, parties, and feasts. In and of themselves, these are not necessarily bad things. However, at the root of all of these things is spending money somewhat selfishly I think. In light of all the needs in the world, I struggle with this attitude of what I would describe as "waste."

The true celebration of this season is often hidden from everyone. It breaks my heart to hear stories of companies changing the way customers can be greeted from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" or renaming a tree from a "Christmas Tree" to a "Holiday Tree." It's become ridiculous.

I found myself becoming somewhat of a "scrooge" – not wanting to decorate or send Christmas cards. It seems with such distaste for the commercialism, I went in the opposite direction. So, I decided to do some research and find out a little more about this holiday that so consumes our society and some of the traditions associated with it. I wanted to know more and to find a way get back to the true spirit of Christmas.

The idea to celebrate Christmas on December 25 originated in the 4th century. The Catholic Church wanted to surpass the festivities of rival pagan religions that threatened Christianity's existence. The Romans celebrated the birthday of their sun god, Mithras during this time of year. Although it was uncommon and improper to celebrate people's birthdays in those times, church leaders decided that in order to compete with the pagan celebration they would order a festival in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Although the actual season of Jesus' birth is thought to be in the spring, the date of December 25 was chosen as the official birthday celebration as Christ's Mass so that it would compete head on with the rival pagan celebration. Christmas was slow to catch on in America. The early colonists considered it a pagan ritual. The celebration of Christmas was even banned by law in Massachusetts in colonial days.

The original Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, was born in Turkey in the 4th century. He was very religious from an early age, devoting his life to Christianity. He became widely known for his generosity for the poor. But the Romans held him in disdain. He was imprisoned and tortured. But when Constantine became emperor of Rome, he freed Nicholas. Constantine became a Christian and convened the Council of Nicaea in 325. Nicholas was a delegate to this council. He is especially known for his love of children and for his generosity. He is not only the patron saint of children, but also of sailors, Sicily, Greece, and Russia. The Dutch kept the legend of St. Nicholas alive. In 16th century Holland, Dutch children would place their wooden shoes by the fireplace in hopes that they would be filled with a treat. The Dutch spelled St. Nicholas as Sint Nikolaas, which became corrupted to Sinterklaas, and finally, in Anglican, to Santa Claus. In 1822, Clement C. Moore wrote his famous poem, "A Visit from St. Nick," which was later published as "The Night Before Christmas." Moore is credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly fat man in a red suit that we know today.

The Christmas Tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. It was common at this time for the Germans to decorate fir trees, both inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. While coming home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's.

Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message—the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind—struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.

The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention—and gifts—on their children without appearing to "spoil" them.

As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving.

Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation. And now… probably the most celebrated holiday in the world, Christmas as we know it, is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions from around the globe.

As a single woman who lives alone the holidays can be difficult for several reasons. Society has placed an emphasis on Santa and children. When I wake up on Christmas morning I feel like something is missing. I don't have any children to wake up to and watch them open their gifts. It is a hope, a dream, a desire that perhaps one day that will change.

As a friend I love to give gifts to those I love. I find this season is a wonderful time to show love to my friends by giving them something special. But I believe they know I love them year round since I never hesitate to tell them.

As a daughter, granddaughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt – I love to spend time with my family sharing a meal together and exchanging gifts. My Christmas Day typically includes a big lunch with my family and the exchanging of gifts. However, the highlight for me is watching my nieces open their gifts and listening to Christmas carols.

As a Christian, I recognize December 25th, as the celebration of the birth of Christ despite the fact that it's likely His actual birth date occurred on a different day. While the actual date doesn't matter to me, what does matter is that He did have a birth date. His birth was predicted. He was born. He did come to save the world.

For many, Christmas comes once a year. For me, I celebrate Jesus every day. I don't need Santa Claus or a tree to remind me of that.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Our Children Are Our Future