Contrary to what all the holiday ads are telling you, Christmas has always been about more than commercialism and consumerism. The real meaning of Christmas is a message that often feels drowned out in the noise of the busy holiday season.

While gift-giving is one of the most beautiful and fulfilling parts of Christmas, its purpose goes beyond buying something for someone you love. There is an even deeper message—one of love, hope and selflessness—at the heart of the season. To learn the truth about Christmas, we must look at the greatest gift ever given and received. 

What is the True Story of Christmas? 

The true story of Christmas is one of love and sacrifice. God gave his only Son, Jesus, to the world to seek and save humanity. By becoming man, Jesus became God’s perfect sacrifice and redeemed us from our sins, giving us the gift of eternal life. We celebrate the birth of Christ each year at Christmas, and our gift-giving should reflect the gift that God gave us in Christ. 

What is the Origin of Gift Giving at Christmas? 

Gift-giving during Christmas became a central part of celebrations because of the gifts the three wise men gave. The Magi brought the Christchild gold, frankincense and myrrh in recognition of his kingship. This reminds us that gift-giving at Christmas can be more than just a tradition. It’s an opportunity to honor others and reflect the generosity of God’s gift to the world.

The symbolic meaning behind gift-giving helps us express our love and appreciation for others. Acknowledging them helps us show our love for them and reflects Christ and his love. By following the example of Christ and the Magi in giving selflessly at Christmas, we can better remember the great gift that God gave us in Christ and his birth.

Consumerism and Christmas

This concept of gift-giving at Christmas dates back centuries and remains a central part of how we celebrate today. According to new statistics, around 38% of Americans expect to spend more than $1,000 on gifts this year at Christmas. With 71% of U.S. holiday budgets assigned to gift purchases, clearly, society places great importance on giving during the season. 

However, this focus on consumerism can shift our attention toward materialism, turning what should be an act of generosity into something more about acquiring things than finding meaning.

One practical way to avoid falling into consumerism this Christmas is to set limits on gift spending. For example, consider adopting the “four-gift rule” for your family: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. This approach helps avoid overspending and prioritizes meaningful gifts. 

While the constant messages about buying gifts and keeping up with trends can make the season feel more stressful than sacred, gift-giving is deeply tied to the Christmas story. Thoughtfully embracing this tradition is one of the best ways to reflect on the Gospel and teach your children about the profound significance of God’s gift to humanity.

How to Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas 

It can be challenging to look past the commercialism and consumerism of Christmas. However, you can prioritize remembering and practicing the true meaning of Christmas in your own heart and with your family. One of the best ways to do this is by finding ways to give to others beyond traditional physical gifts.

Here are a few ideas:

• Volunteer your time: Spend time serving with local charities or organizations that support the less fortunate.

• Make meaningful donations: Consider spending less on physical gifts and instead make donations in your loved ones' names to ministries or causes you believe in.

• Pray for others: Take time to pray for those facing challenges or for those who have yet to come to know the Lord.

By taking active steps to focus on giving rather than receiving, you can foster a spirit of generosity this Christmas season—one that carries forward throughout the year.

Bring the Spirit of Giving to Your Daily Life

This season, pray for God’s grace to remember that the true meaning of Christmas is found in his gift of Christ to us. In a season characterized by busyness and sometimes stress, meet with God and thank him for all you have, asking him for ways to better steward the blessings He has provided. 

Changing your heart’s posture to humbly giving instead of being focused on receiving can help you truly embrace the Christian meaning of the season. We encourage you to prioritize prayer throughout this season and sign up for our Christmas novena, where we will prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. 

You can also support one of our projects and give hope and life to those who need it. For more information on what we do at Divine Word Missionaries, subscribe to our newsletter.