How Christmas Traditions Point to Christ

I am an absolute fan of the Christmas season. The lights, the décor, the music, the general atmosphere that accompanies the Christmas Season. It is finding peace and hope in every aspect of what the Christmas season brings. I realize there are those who will argue that all of the “extra stuff” can detract from the true meaning of Christmas, but I think it is fair to say that maybe the “extras” can help point us TO the true Reason for the Season.

The Christmas season is filled with wonderful traditions. The twinkling lights decorating homes on the outside for all to see and inside to enjoy in a more intimate setting with family and friends. The decorated trees with ornaments of all kinds hanging from its branches, lights illuminating the darkness and spotlighting the ornaments. And the wrapped gifts under the tree and, perhaps stuffed into stockings hanging from the fireplace mantle given as a sign of love.  While these customs aren’t necessarily part of the original biblical account of Jesus’ birth, they can serve as powerful reminders of the true meaning of Christmas when we understand their symbolism.

Lights: A Reminder of the Light of the World
Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Christmas lights can remind us that Christ came to pierce the darkness of sin and bring hope to a hopeless world. Every glowing strand, every individual bulb, can be a visual reminder and celebration of the truth found in John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” There is NO darkness so dark that the smallest light source cannot break through to show us the way.

Gifts: Reflecting God’s Greatest Gift
The tradition of giving gifts echoes the visit of the Magi, who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Jesus. “As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). As a side bar, the nativity scenes that we see in our homes typically place the shepherds and the Magi at the birth of Jesus together. Historically, with Biblical evidence, it is more likely that the Magi did not appear to Mary, Joseph and Jesus for several months to up to two years after His birth. Matthew 2:1–11 says the Magi came to Jerusalem first, then to Bethlehem, and found Jesus in a house, not a stable. This suggests the family had moved from the manger scene.

Herod’s reaction also gives a timeline. He ordered the killing of boys two years old and under. “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men.” (Matthew 2:16) This implies Jesus could have been anywhere from a few months to nearly two years old when the Magi arrived.

Regardless of where one rests on when the Magi arrived, which in the whole scheme of things is somewhat immaterial for what we are discussing here, but I felt it necessary to add that little sidebar, is more importantly, pointing to the ultimate gift: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16).

When we exchange gifts with friends and family, it should remind us of generosity and sacrificial love—not consumerism. Each gift can symbolize gratitude for the grace we’ve received through the birth of the Savior.

Christmas Trees: A Symbol of Eternal Life

Evergreen trees remain vibrant even in winter, making them a fitting symbol of eternal life—the life Jesus offers to all who believe. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28). Some Christians also see the tree pointing upward toward heaven, reminding us of Christ’s victory on the cross (Galatians 3:13 refers to the “tree” of the cross). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

While the Bible doesn’t mention Christmas trees, they can serve as a visual cue to celebrate the everlasting hope we have in Christ and the life we can have because of His sacrifice on the cross.
These traditions are not the essence of Christmas—they’re cultural expressions. The danger comes when they overshadow the miracle of the Incarnation: God becoming man to redeem us. But when used thoughtfully, they can point our hearts back to Jesus.

This Christmas, let every light remind you of Christ’s light in your life. Let every gift reflect God’s generosity. Let every tree point you to eternal life in Him.

Practical Ideas:

• Read John 1:1–14 as you plug in your lights.
• Share the story of the Magi before opening gifts.
• Pray around the tree, thanking God for His everlasting love.

From all of us at Mountain View Christian Academy, may you have a blessed and Merry Christmas, and a joyful and healthy New Year. In the immortal words of Dr. Suess, “Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we.”

---