The Essence of Christmas

The Review Publisher John Ulaj

By John Ulaj

The Review Publisher

The word “Essence” means “something that exists, especially a spiritual or immaterial entity.”
These days, in business as well as in plain everyday life, I encounter many people who demonstrate ingratitude, especially considering the wonderful things a lot of them possess. What is it that we human beings are seeking; what is it that we want, or desire to achieve?
Is the answer, “Amassing wealth”?  The ability to buy so-called “big ticket” items, such as boats, fancy cars, etc.?
When we think about how many of us strive to attain an inner peace, is it materialism that we feel will eventually bring that to us? We employ a variety of means, such as entertainment, the use of psychologists or therapists, and/or motivational books to fill our emptiness, but still we feel that we are tending to miss the TRUE MEANING of life.
If accumulating wealth or possessions, or soothing ourselves with entertainment or therapy, made people truly happy, then shouldn’t we feel it more certainly? Instead, these things seem like so many mere panaceas. Instead, we continue to witness drug overdoses, violence of all types, and suicides at alarming, and seemingly ever-increasing, rates.
I truly believe that God is the only one who can fill that void in one’s life. We need to see life as children do: with anticipation and excitement.
Let us not, then, forget the true Essence of Christmas, which is the ultimate centering presence of Christ Himself. And neither let us forget the wonder of God’s greatest act of sacrifice and grace. “And there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
The uniqueness of every Christmas snowflake hints at the uniqueness of God, as well as that of His “one and only Son” (John 3:16). Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas.
My prayer is that your days will be “merry and bright” because the radiant light of the King of kings has filled the “manger of your heart,” if you will, causing you to meditate on His purity, rebirth, stillness, and unique and eternal Presence in our world.
On a more general note, we need to laugh more too, so this holiday season, enjoy your friends and family, and find more ways to appreciate life in general. Life should be embraced for what it is; namely, a Journey.
I wanted to leave you a one of my favorite quotes:
“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” — David Jeremiah.
And so it is “Essential” that I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Most Happy New Year!