Santa Claus, gifts, Frosty, Rudolph, the Christmas Tree, turkey, cookies, shopping, sales,... you name it and Christmas has become all those things.
But it is really about the coming of the Messiah, (in Hebrew), the Christ (in Greek). He is also called Immanuel, which means "God with us." If Jesus, the Christ, is really God who has come to dwell with us, then among all the other things we do at Christmas surely we should be asking ,"Why?"
Why has God come to dwell with us? If there is any meaning to Christmas at all, it has to be found in the answer to that question. If you take the time to listen to the carols; if you read the Bible verses about Christmas; if you remember what you learned as a child about the coming of Jesus; if you pray in a heartfelt way to ask God for the answer to that question, then through all the other clutter ('though fun), of Christmas, the answer is there to be found:
"for he shall save the people from their sins."
That's why he came!
"And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6.
Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6.
13 comments:
Abe is right. Christmas is the best time of the year.
The reason most people get confused is because most of those other bits (the food, the tree etc) are actually Yule traditions, which were adopted by the church to stop people following Pagan rituals.
It didn't work on me, of course! ;)
There are a lot of religious festivals around this time of year that celebrate rebirth in some form or other, whether you believe in a Messiah or the return of the sun after longest night (or whatever).
To each their own. And Seasons Greetings to all - whatever you believe.
It's all in the name - Christ mass. A relegious festival celebrating the birth of Christ.
My only problem is that Christmas always comes when the shops are most crowded. It would be better if it were moved to a different time of year when the shops ware not so busy.
PS your Christmas greeting post, although on my dashboard, seems to have gone missing and with regard to a comment of yours on another blog, I have read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society too. It is very good. Did you know the original author died before completing it and it was finished by the second nameed author.
What a comfort to know the true meaning of Christmas.
Last night we watched the DVD "The Gospel of John" and I am so glad I'm a follower of the Christ, the Messiah, King of King and Lord of Lords...that my sins are forgiven and heaven is my home.
Thanks for a wonderful post!!!
Unto us a child is born - I love the Messiah! One of my favourite pieces of Christmas music.
Amen!
From an economic point of view, the Christmas season has been very profitable and many businesses depend on it. Yes, I think it's fun.
From a religious point of view the real meaning of Christmas is a joyful one and one we need to reteach to our kids and grandkids.
Snafu: I know your first comment is tongue in cheek! But I want to bring that to the attention of American readers who may not be aware of the British dry sense of humor! I love it!!
As for my Christmas greeting, I've already emailed you about that. It will be posted 'for real' next week.
AJ: I know the church of many years ago adopted all these pagan rituals to redirect people from pagan worship -- not sure they succeeded!
Some have problems with associating Christmas, December 25th, with the birth of Jesus. They say that it was warm, probably in October, and too cold for a manger in December. I think the Christmas we have today, and yesterday, is related to businesses trying to unload a load of unsold merchandise—they don't want to pay taxes on it at the end of the year. What to do? Come up with a religious holiday so people will buy the goods and feel good about spending their money. I heard that for most of my life. I am sure you have too.
I'm all for having a religious Christmas -- and Thanksgiving for that matter -- on a different day! We religious ones could call it The Incarnation and those who want to, religious or not, can continue to do the commercial thing.
I have a problem with all the commercialism throughout the year. "They" target the vulnerable, the dissatisfied, and the young all year long. Commercialism is the big on our society -- a Cancer that is not going to go away. We have to live with it.
Now making a living is a whole other question!
That third line from the bottom is supposed to read "the big 'C'".
Sorry.
Amen! His coming really does change EVERYTHING!
This I do...
Post a Comment