What Is The Christmas Season All About?
No birth has ever been more celebrated, inspire more hope, or generated more goodwill. The Christmas season Has inspired great hymns, songs, movies, poetry, TV programs, writings, commentary, etc. No birthday of any man has its own season associated with it, having been celebrated in some fashion beginning with His birth. 
1 – PROCLAMATION/CELEBRATION/RECOGNITION: (Originated by God).
God (Announced Jesus’ birth with a star).
Matthew 2:9-10, “When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” (NKJV)
Angels:
Luke 1:35, “And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (NKJV).
Luke 2:8-14, “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (NKJV)
Shepherds:
Luke 2:15-20, “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (NKJV).
Wisemen: (were led to Jesus’ location by His star provided by God.)
Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (NKJV).
Matthew 2:11, “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (NKJV) (Inspired the modern custom of giving of gifts).
Simeon celebrated:
Luke 2:25-32, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (NKJV).
Anna the Prophetess gave thanks:
Luke 2:36-38, “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (NKJV).
Holy Spirit
Luke 2:26, “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (NKJV).
2 – FAMILY: A time for the Gathering of Family (Joseph, Mary, Zecharias, Elisabeth)
3 – TRADITIONS: (Societal, Religious, & Family)
- Lights represent Jesus as the light of the world and God as the creator, “let there be light”, God is the father of lights.
- The Tree Represents life. The Evergreen is always living. Jesus is alive and is eternal.
- Gifts Reflect the gifts given by the wise men but more importantly represents God’s gift of his son.
- The Season of Celebration Represents the joy surrounding God’s love and the hope and salvation that resides in him.
4 – FRIENDS: Meaningful relationships honored and renewed.
5 – REFLECTION: A time to reflect on Jesus as our Savior and the true meaning and purpose of life.
6 – GIVING: it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s a time for generosity, for blessing lives.
7 – RECEIVING: Time to thankfully receive God’s blessings with a thankful spirit. Accept God’s gifts as did Joseph and Mary. God’s gifts, lovegrace, forgiveness, mercy, encouragement, talents, etc.
8 – LOVE: “love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit, and love your neighbor as yourself.”