What is the meaning of Christmas? Some say Christmas is all about family. Others say, “Jesus is the reason for the season” and “Put Christ back into Christmas.” Some people think Christmas is for children.          

Recently my friend George G. shared what the participants in the first Christmas said about its meaning. With his permission I am sharing his ideas and conclusion. The characters are Angel, Mary, Elizabeth, Angels, Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, Magi, and King Herod.

The following excerpted quotes are from the King James Version because it is in the public domain.Although the language is nearly 600 years old, the essential meaning comes through.

Angel to Mary: “Thou hast found favor with God. And thou shalt conceive and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be called the son of the Highest and the Lord God will give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever”.  The angel also told Mary of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Mary replied, “Be it unto me according to thy word” and went to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1. 30-39).

Elizabeth (upon Mary’s arrival at Elizabeth’s home):   “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Whence is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? There shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1. 42-45).

Mary’s response:  “My soul doth magnify the Lord. . . .He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (Luke 1. 46-55)

Angel to shepherds in the field: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Messiah the Lord. Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest’” (Luke 2.10-14).

Shepherds “Let us now go and see this thing which the Lord has made known unto us. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2.15-20).

Simeon, the elderly man living in Jerusalem to whom it had been revealed “that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah:” “Took [the baby Jesus] up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2.25-33).

Anna the aged prophetess:  “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption” (Luke 2. 36-38).

Magi:  “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We are come to worship him” (Matthew 2.1-2). When the Magi had found the child, “they fell down and worshipped him” (Matthew 2. 11).

King Herod demanded of the chief priests and scribes where Messiah should be born. They cited Micah, that out of Bethlehem would come, "a Governor that shall rule my people Israel." Herod ordered the Magi, “When ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also”  (Matthew 2.3-8).

What was the meaning of Christmas to the “original cast?” My friend George found two common themes, worship and Israel. All the original characters saw the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel—the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Redeemer. And they worshipped God for keeping that promise.

What do you say is the meaning of Christmas?