This Christmas, many people here and around the world continue to wonder what percentage of humans on this planet really believe that Jesus Christ came to Earth to save the souls of mankind.

Likewise, there no doubt is great wonderment also as to whether the phrase “fear of the Lord” really is believed and practiced as a real part of people’s lives.

Thinking about happenings such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the destruction of — and suffering in — Gaza, the mass shootings witnessed in this country and the general turmoil that is inflicted on the lives of many innocent and struggling people by those incapable of quenching their thirst for power, it is no wonder many individuals doubt the existence of a savior or supreme being and who regard this holiday of such importance and its many traditions as a useless exercise by foolish people.

They have no qualms about ignoring and/or ridiculing the holiday decorations that adorn homes, yards and business districts here and elsewhere, but the better bet is placing one’s trust in all the good and decency on which this holiday is based — on placing one’s trust in the birth that has transcended centuries and seems destined to transcend the ages, indeed until the end of time.

Don’t pass up, then, the opportunity to enjoy all the hope and brightness that this holiday represents, despite having to acknowledge the negatives and darkness that prevail as well.

On the secular side, there is nothing wrong with welcoming and embracing the childlike innocence surrounding Santa Claus and his generous spirit, while at the same time commemorating the sacred birth of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem.

Listen to the positive messages that are delivered during this observance and reflect upon them. Think about how they can be applied to your daily life now and in the future.

Accept that Christians whose observances are governed by the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar that is in general use today will be observing this joyous commemoration on Jan. 7.

Meanwhile, Christmas Day this year falls just days after the conclusion of the Jewish community’s celebration of Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights that begins either in late November or sometime in December. At the center of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah.

Recall that the late Pope Francis offered a Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different nations, cultures, faiths, races or ideas, describing the world’s differences as a richness, not a danger.

Addressing approximately 50,000 people who packed St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Francis, while championing the rights of religious minorities, said the universal message of Christmas is that “God is a good Father and we are all brothers and sisters.”

Still, there is cause for alarm and sadness, as newspaper headlines and the electronic media report.

One example on the alarm front is the concern that China might be gearing up for a potential deadly invasion of Taiwan. Whether Beijing will try to conquer the democratically governed island by force is the biggest geopolitical unknown facing the world, the Wall Street Journal observed in a Dec. 9 report.

On the sadness front came the disclosure earlier this month that the 96 employees of the Snyder of Berlin snack manufacturing plant in Somerset County, which has been in business since 1947, will be losing their jobs in 2026.

Too bad such developments have to mar such a wonderful time.