Mary was told to call the Child's name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. The birth of Christ is about redemption, salvation, reconciliation. It is about God taking the initiative and acting for man's eternal salvation. His action is seen in His sending His only Son into this world, with a set purpose. That purpose was one of salvation. He came to save His people from their sins. He is "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn.1:29). He came to save.
Christmas is about God's saving action in Christ, and specifically in Christ's death on the Cross for our sin. He was our Substitute, the divine Substitute. "He died the Just for the unjust to bring us to God," (1 Pet.3:18).
If you see Christmas in this way, you are seeing it properly. If not, then you are turning it into a truly pagan festival.
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