What does Christmas mean to Australians?
A survey conducted amongst Australians has shown that 57% of respondents identified themselves as belonging to a religion that celebrates Christmas as a religious holiday. On the other hand, 87% of those who are not religious still celebrate Christmas to some extent. Of those who belong to another religion, over half (56%) still celebrate Christmas.*
But what is being celebrating at Christmas? The angel that brought the news of the birth of Jesus said; ‘I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2:10-11). Here we see the central reason for celebrating Christmas. That Jesus came to this earth, he was God with us, and through his death and resurrection we can be set free from sin, death and sickness and be in personal relationship with God. Yet is this what people celebrate?
It seems that the top three reasons why people celebrate Christmas are quality time with family (87%), exchanging gifts/presents (50%) and because the children really enjoy it (44%).
The hype of the Christmas season in our Australian culture is focussed greatly on presents, shopping for other people and the stresses that this brings. Often we forget the truth behind Christmas and miss that it is a time of joyful celebration. Have you stopped in the busy Christmas season to ponder what it really means? What will you be celebrating this year at Christmas? That’s what I’ve been thinking about.
What do you think?
*’Heart of Australia’, McCrindle Research, p 7
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