Dear editor:

This is in response to the letter to the editor that ran Tuesday. What is the real meaning of Christmas? I know some people choose to believe that Christmas is nothing more than a time to have fun, go to parties, play Santa, etc. I, for one, agree Christmas should be a time to enjoy one’s family and friends and to take a much-needed break for some of us.

However, regardless of what the media says or what the liberal enthusiast may want to believe, Christmas is and will always be a Christian holiday. It was instituted as a holiday to annually commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Regardless of your beliefs you can’t escape that fact.

The very word Christmas is derived from Christos (Greek), meaning Christ, and missa (Latin) for the holy Mass. Christmas celebrates the perfect gift of God’s son, Jesus. Even Santa Claus has his origins from the Christian faith. Santa Clause or Sinterklaas (Dutch) is derived from St. Nicholas of Myra (Turkey) in the fourth century. Candy canes, stockings, poinsettias, Christmas lights and many, many more common Christmas symbols all have their origins from the Christian faith.

How you choose to celebrate is your personal choice, and I know some people will think me a sap for my traditional values and beliefs. I know in today’s society being a Christian isn’t in style with what most want to believe, but the truth is till the truth no matter how much anyone may want to ignore it.

I have a 5-year-old and, yes, he believes in Santa, but even he has enough insight and knowledge to know the real meaning of Christmas which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s a pity more adults don’t.

Shannon Smith

East Lakeview Drive, LaGrange