A woman called yesterday and agonized, “I don’t get it. What is this Christmas thing all about? The endless gift-giving, the eating, the indulging, the commercialism, the running around and getting stressed out, the people who are left out…and what about that Jesus thing? What is the real meaning of Christmas anyway? I want to know!”

I sympathized with her quandary. In sorting out the meaning of Christmas myself over the years, I believe several practices have been added to the holiday celebration that have little or nothing to do with the real spirit and purpose of the season.

I told my friend that Christmas was about the coming of Christ, or the healing power and presence of God at work our lives now.

I draw my conclusion from what happened in my healing practice last Christmas day.

Normally, my practice is quiet on Christmas day. A few patients might call with emergencies, but most wanting help wait until the next day when the holiday is finished.

Last year, however, was an exception. I had a large number of patients call for help on December 25th, and most with life-threatening crises. I spent a large part of the day in consecrated prayer for my callers, and some wonderful healings happened. But, honestly, there were a couple of times when I started to feel sorry for myself because of the large amount of time I had to spend away from my family. I didn’t entertain these suggestions very long. My family was very understanding, and I made it up to them later, but there was a lesson on the real meaning of Christmas for me to gain, and I’ve been thinking on it ever since.

The real meaning of Christmas, I’ve decided, is all about spiritual healing.

Christmas signifies the coming of Christ. Christ was sent by God to heal humanity of its sin and suffering. Whenever we welcome Christ into our life, we experience healing, moral, physical and spiritual.

To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the coming of Christ, or healing power of God at work in our lives right here right now.

The real spirit of Christmas is not about over-eating, over-shopping, idling hours away in front of the TV, or generally checking out of life for a day. It’s about God’s love for us, cultivating spiritual mindedness, praying for neighbors in need, being close to God and reflecting God’s healing power. It’s about healing the world of sin and suffering!

And that’s what I was doing last Christmas, helping and healing my neighbor.

I was not missing out at all, but more fully participating in real Christmas, and my family could not miss out either by having me thus occupied because they were supporting what I was doing, and that meant they were participating in the healing activity too and would be blessed accordingly.

I’ve learned my lesson about what real Christmas is, so I expect a more orderly day this year, with fewer emergency calls. I can pray for that outcome ahead of time, you know!!

I still bought Christmas presents this season, will help cook a Christmas dinner tomorrow, and will play games with my family. But the real meaning of Christmas, helping my neighbor spiritually with Christly healing power, will be uppermost in my thought.

With war raging in the Mid-East and in Darfur, tension building around the globe and conflict amidst families large and small, the world cries out for true Christmas peace. Let us embrace our fellowman near and far with Christly love this 25th, (and everyday!) and collectively fulfill the purpose of Christmas—Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.

Have a great day.