The Incarnation of Hope – Why We Celebrate

In the modern rush of late-December—the frantic exchange of cardboard boxes, the digital pings of "Season’s Greetings," and the glow of LED displays—the "Why" of Christmas can often feel buried under a drift of commercial snow. For the writer, and for the believer, Christmas is not a seasonal mood; it is a seismic event in the timeline of humanity.

The Theology of the "God-With-Us"

At its most fundamental level, we celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ. For Christians, this is the Feast of the Incarnation. The word "Incarnation" literally means "becoming flesh." The core of the celebration is the belief that the Creator of the universe chose to step into the confines of time, space, and human fragility.

Why does this matter in 2025? Because it flips the script on power. In the first century, "royalty" was defined by Roman iron and gold. Yet, the story we celebrate today tells of a King born in a feeding trough (a manger) in a backwater town called Bethlehem. We celebrate Christmas because it represents the moment that God became relatable. It suggests that divinity is not found in the high palaces of the world, but in the most humble and overlooked corners of our lives.

The Light in the Solstice

Historically, the "Why" also ties into our deep, human need for light. Since ancient times, people in the Northern Hemisphere have observed the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year. By placing the celebration of Christ’s birth near this date, the early Church mirrored a spiritual truth with a physical reality: just when the world is at its darkest, the light begins to return.

We celebrate Christmas because we need a reminder that winter is not permanent. Whether you are in the historic cathedrals of Brussels or a small home in the American suburbs, the act of lighting a candle on Christmas Day is a defiant act of hope. It is a statement that says, "I believe the sun will rise again."

The Celebration of Human Connection

Beyond the liturgy, we celebrate Christmas because it is the ultimate "Coming Home." The story of the Nativity is a story of family—Mary, Joseph, and the Child—navigating a world that had "no room for them at the inn."

In 2025, our world can feel increasingly fragmented and digital. We celebrate today because it forces us to pause. It demands that we look at the person next to us and recognize their inherent dignity. If God chose to become human, then humanity itself is something sacred and worth celebrating.

A Writer’s Perspective on the "Greatest Story"

As a writer, I celebrate Christmas because it is the most perfect narrative ever constructed. It has everything: the tension of a long journey, the drama of a tyrannical king (Herod), the celestial wonder of a star, and the quiet, intimate resolution of a mother holding her child.

Unlike a fictional story, the "Why" of Christmas is meant to be lived. We celebrate so that we can become "stewards of the light." We give gifts because we were first given a gift. We offer hospitality because we remember the family that was turned away.

Conclusion: The Persistent "Why"

Whether you find yourself in a palace or a cottage this December 25th, the "Why" remains unchanged. We celebrate because we are loved. We celebrate because hope is a person. And we celebrate because, for one day out of the year, the entire world agrees to stop and acknowledge that love, in its purest and most sacrificial form, is the only thing that truly matters.

Merry Christmas. May your "Why" be as clear as a star in the night sky.