I remember when my friend from my ‘life group’ asked our group leader if Christmas has a bit of spirit of luxury. And the picture came to my mind:
Every time Christmas approaches, people get too occupied by the busyness of the city. Look in every corner and you will see that almost all the people are very much immersed in the hustles and bustles of the season. We think too much of how to budget our allowances or bonuses for gifts to our friends and relatives. We worry too much of when to put in our schedule the wrapping of gifts and going to groceries. We press ourselves by all the parties we are invited to. Preparations are done in the offices, decorations in the houses, party planning in schools, shopping in malls — BREAK! Can we just pause for a while? And think, have we actually thought of why we celebrate this most awaited time of the year?
Some people believe that the hero of this event is Santa Claus. Or if not, for the worst part, believe that it is not for Jesus Christ. I was really hurt when I saw this picture shown by one pastor during a Sunday service in our church.
About 25,000 USD was paid by an atheist organization just for this ‘opinion’ to be displayed.
The message of that tarpaulin is the myth! Because the truth is — Christmas is a time for giving. We give because we want to express our selfless love towards one another. We don’t give because we expect something to get back to us. Remember, it is not our birthday, it’s Jesus’ (though December 25 is not His actual birth date). So why expect gifts? Instead of anticipating, let us have the initiative to become a blessing to others.
Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart. 1 Chronicles 29:9
Another truth is that Christmas is a time for forgiving. Let all that thorns be taken away from your heart. By forgiving, it’s not ‘that person’ who will benefit. It’s you who will have the peace of mind, quiet spirit and light emotions as you celebrate Christmas. God forgave us and did not keep record of our sins. Like our Heavenly Father, we should forgive wholeheartedly, because we are forgiven. If you think that forgiving is one thing you can not do in your entire life, then what you think is wrong. Our Creator has forgiven us – making us able to forgive also our brothers and sisters. Don’t let another Christmas pass, this time is all yours to release that burden in your heart.
Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. Hebrews 10:17
One more truth is this. Christmas is a time for rejoicing! We rejoice because we are grateful that the Lord God Almighty fulfilled his promise that a son will be born in Bethlehem, be named Jesus, and will save us from our sins. And Jesus did! He saved us 2,000 years ago when he died on the cross. We should truly celebrate Christmas because of that. We know that the big headline is JESUS WAS BORN but the biggest headline among all headlines is that JESUS WAS BORN FOR OUR REDEMPTION! We should not miss that. Without this spirit of rejoicing, we can never experience the full meaning of Christmas.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Hope that you will celebrate the true colors of this season. Merry merry Christmas and God bless!
The Scholar Chronicles 