“The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

“The real meaning is that we are as Christians to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. The best way to do that is to give God and Christ a present is by returning His love for us to others.”
“It’s all about God becoming a part of humanity.”

Those are few of the responses from local preachers when asked what they think the meaning of Christmas is.

Tomorrow, Christians around the world will celebrate the coming and birth of Jesus Christ, God’s son.

First Baptist Church chairman of deacons Phil Sewell said Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus.

“We encourage everyone to celebrate with family and enjoy, while putting Christ at the center of it,” Sewell said. “Be ever mindful that he was given to us as a savior. Other than that, just enjoy your family.”

For First United Methodist Church of Greenville Pastor David Saliba, the meaning of Christmas to him revolves around giving back.

“The sermon series I have been preaching is ‘Christmas is Not Your Birthday,’” Saliba said. “The real meaning is that we are as Christians to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. The best way to do that is to give God and Christ a present by returning His love for us to others.”

Saliba said that the meaning of Christmas can also mean encouraging others to reach to the “last, the least and the lost.”
“To help those who might be struggling with in hard times; being there for them and helping them in a special way,” he said. “In that, we offer Christ as a present instead of thinking about giving gifts for ourselves.”

The Rev. Reid McCormick, rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Chruch, said Christmas is all about God becoming human, “and the willingness of Mary to bear God’s child.”

“It’s God willing to become human — fully divine and fully human. That’s the incarnation, it’s everything about life as a Christian, understanding the human struggles and yet being blessed by God.”