Three days before the celebration of Christmas, Pope John Paul reminded the faithful of the meaning of the word on Sunday and urged people to reject the mindless consumerism that accompanies the day.
Recalling the gospel account that the infant Jesus was born in a simple manger, he said advertising now portrayed the nativity scene much more luxuriantly, undermining the essence of Christ's birth.
"And the beautiful tradition of exchanging gifts between friends and family also risks losing sight of the true sense of Christmas under the assault of a certain consumerist mentality," the Pope said in his weekly address in St Peter's Square.
"In truth, that custom is best understood as emerging from the fact that Jesus was God's gift to humanity, and should be reflected in our gifts during this festival," said the Pope, 82.
The Pontiff said it was ever more important for people to show the true spirit of Christmas by giving warmth and solidarity to the poor and needy.
The Pontiff's remarks followed his expression of despair on Saturday at the growing number of conflicts in the world, saying the face of Christ was marked by pain because of it and the future was "bathed in blood."
In his annual address to cardinals before Christmas, he said war and terrorism were creating ever more numerous divisions in the world, increasing the need for prayer.