What is the true meaning of Christmas?

Christmas has evolved from the original pagan winter festival, through various shades of Christian celebration. Here's an interesting link about its development.

Of course, the poets may have taken a different approach: "Roses are reddish, violets are bluish. If it wasn't for Christmas we'd all be Jewish."

But I wonder if anybody said it better than Hipshot Percussion:

To most people it means: Decorate the house, throw up a tree, spend a fortune on mostly useless gifts, pretend to love one another for a few days, get a day or two off from work, eat a big meal and fall asleep afterwards.

It is about giving, not getting. And giving of yourself not things. The gift of your time talking to family and friends you may not always get to see, 

Since different places and different cultures celebrate Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas has different meanings. Where I live at, the true meaning of Christmas is about Santa Claus, watching Christmas movies, and giving presents.

What we now know as Christmas actually originated as a pagan festival - Yule, a celebration of the winter solstice. When Christianity moved west, they claimed that it is jesus's birthday to try and convert more people to christianity. Various sources say that his birthday was anywhere from April to September, but it was definitely not December.

So, the true meaning of this winter festival (whatever you call it) would be the meaning of Yule, which is to celebrate the return of light (as the days are getting longer) and is a time or renewal and reflection.

Traditionally, Yule lasts from the 21st of December to the 1st of January which is where the 12 days of christmas comes from.

The 'christmas' colours (red, green and white) come from the holly king who takes over from the oak king at yule.

So the true meaning of christmas - it's true purpose - was to steal from pagans and convert as many people as possible.

I like this:

An
early expression of this sentiment using the phrase of "the true
meaning" is found in The American magazine,
vol. 28 (1889):  "to give up one's very self---to think only of others---how
to bring the greatest happiness to others---that is the true meaning of
Christmas"

They told : Christmas'day is a day of commerce, it 's just a day for celebrating, people like Christians or Catholics, it 's a day for business people selling their products. Anyway it's been a long long time for this Christmas day, so we have had it in mind though.