As years pass, the meaning of Christmas seems to drift further and further away. On Dec. 25 we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who changed the world more than any other person in history. I find it interesting that people who are not even Christians participate in this holiday just for the free gifts.

The word Christmas begins with "Christ," which sometimes gets replaced with an "X." For example, "Merry X-Mas" can be observed on store windows during the holiday season. At first glance, this may seem like an innocent abbreviation, but Halloween and Thanksgiving are never seen as "X-oween" or "X-giving." It seems that the secular agenda is trying to literally take Christ out of Christmas.

Some Christians have refused to acknowledge Christmas, insisting that it is not biblically ordained. Believers who do celebrate give gifts to others, which is symbolic of the gold, frankincense and myrrh presented by the Magi in Matthew 2:11.

In his article "The Origins of our Christmas Traditions," Chuck Missler explains these gifts as being prophecies representing the deity, priesthood and death of Jesus Christ. Isn't it strange that non-Christians indulge in Christmas gifts, yet deny that it is a celebration of the Messiah's birth? Even if they accept the fact that Christmas is a Christian holiday, they merely use the holiday for selfish reasons. Thus, Christmas has become a fickle tradition rather than a meaningful and sacred celebration.

Santa Claus is another corruption of Christmas. Although he is portrayed as a loving, jolly man, it actually is one of the many Christmas deceptions.

Santa Claus is known to make a list of the good and bad things children have done throughout the year and then offers rewards or a lump of coal based on their behaviors. He also has the capability to travel around the entire world in one night with his reindeer that possess the supernatural gift of flight.

These fantastic characteristics could be compared to those of God. Therefore, there could be problems in a child's mind later in life when he finds out Santa Claus is not real. If Christian beliefs have been instilled in a child who finds out Santa isn't real, then it would be natural for that same child to question the existence of God.

Another Christmas fallacy is that Jesus was even born on Dec. 25. In Luke 2:8, the Bible states that at the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds had their flocks in open fields. As Missler explains in his article, this would suggest that Christ was actually born in October. Nevertheless, this is the day that Christ's birth is celebrated, even if it is a couple of months delayed.

Although a swarm of propaganda often blankets the Christmas season, it is important not to forget the true meaning behind the holiday. Good will to men is promoted in this season more than any other.

This is what Jesus Christ encouraged when he admonished people to love their neighbors, and even their enemies. But without the acknowledgement of His birth, the holiday essentially becomes meaningless.

Of course, Jesus' birth and good will to others are things that should be celebrated on a daily basis, not just one specific day or season.

Christians and music.com has been given permission by the author Rachel Nelson to use this article.