There are at least three Christmases: the purely religious one, the purely secular one and, then, a mix of the two.

It’s become expectable for good Christians to “tut, tut” the commercialization of Christmas, the “giving, getting, rushing around” Christmas. But I think there are strong elements of good in the Santa Claus Christmas, although I do feel sorry for Christians who completely ignore the foundation for the happy holiday (Holy Day) which is the birth of a baby boy Messiah in a Bethlehem manger 2,000-plus years ago. They should focus on what he did and his overwhelming legacy. Surely one measure of Christmas is that the material world is bound to the invisible spiritual world.

Christianity had deep and spreading roots all over the known western world by the year 336 A.D. when Dec. 25 began to be the recognized birth date. It had been about that time of year when the birth of the sun was celebrated in pagan Rome, the solstice of winter when the days start to get longer and the sun rides higher in the sky.

You can trace the wholesome, happy traditions that attached themselves to Christmas as the centuries rolled on: the greenery, gifts to the poor, Yule log, gift giving to children, the visits to the old folks. (Who in pagan lands paid attention to old Grandma and Grandpa?), St. Nicholas (the happy saint who evolved into Santa Claus), Christmas cards which appeared first in England in 1843. Their message can be spiritual and uplifting or just a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!” One overriding message of any decent Christmas is goodness.

Christmas trees have a Germanic basis; they’re evergreens, which means green forever, life - new life; and then there are the candles, a symbol of Christ.

And then there’s the music, oh the music! Carols, carolling. Dozens of the greatest classical composers have devoted their genius to Christmas masses and Christmas music. What can be more beautiful than the Germanic “Silent night, holy night.” And Irving Berlin lets his bounteous gifts shine through in “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” – both words and music.

I’ve almost overlooked the art, the statues. The paintings that started in the 5th century A.D. of Jesus, the disciples, Mother Mary (so many of Mary with the Babe); the Holy Land. All the way from the Renaissance painters to Norman Rockwell. They’re everywhere and they lift you up.

Don’t forget the automobiles rushing about, people visiting people delivering presents, running thoughtful errands, people being generous, generous, generous. No matter how commercial, there’s a touch of baby Jesus hidden there somewhere. So much of Christmas is revolving around women and children. Who more than Jesus elevated women and children? Religion in the old world was centered on men.

Bear in mind that all his shortened life, Jesus was a devout and observant Jew, a true believer in the great religion of our Old Testament. But he detested sham, cant hypocrisy. He preached a message of reform and regeneration, which took a mighty hold on that ancient world.

Even though historic Jesus’ message has been distorted and sometimes twisted into cruelty, his pure message comes shining through, inescapable and absorbing. No toleration for hypocrisy. Higher standards than anything achievable.

Christianity requires constant improvement. Its outreach is all encompassing. Preach the gospel, the “good news.” There’s plenty of room for gift wrapping, yule logs, stockings by the fireside stuffed with love and gifts. Love, Love, Love.

You can try your best but there’s no way to shut out Jesus from Christmas. He’s tough. He won’t let you. He was there first.

Attorney Austin Cunningham has been the president of five business companies and in 1988 was named Outstanding Elder Citizen of the Year for South Carolina.

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