RICHARD VERMEULEN: Don't forget why we celebrate Christmas

This is the season to be jolly because of the birth of Jesus Christ and for festive activities with loved ones and friends.

In my opinion, we are sorely in need of acknowledging Jesus and God are real, and our world would never have been here without the beginning being initiated by God.

Oh, sure, the "big bang" did take place, as scientists say, but what was the catalyst for it? There must surely have been God to start the process along. Scientists can never explain this, just as there is no way to explain infinity.

It is sad that religion is quickly eroding in the lives of many people, and Nativity scenes are not as prevalent as they once were. Even though you can question that the scene, popularly displayed in yards or wherever, never existed, it is still the reminder that Jesus Christ was born, and we should be on our knees praying for our good health, our loved ones' health and our blessings bestowed on us by God.

So please, it is the time to be jolly, but the commercialization of Christmas should always take a back seat to the true meaning of Christmas.

RICHARD VERMEULEN

Ocean Springs

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 7:15 PM with the headline "RICHARD VERMEULEN: Don't forget why we celebrate Christmas ."