Nowadays, the celebration of Christmas is being obscured by commercialism that our own present world.
Turning the pages to biblical history, Man by his self can not save himself. So one day certain in man's history, God as a matter of fulfillment has recorded the beginning of his salvific power in Isaiah's Chapter 7, verse 14.
Yes, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born to a a Virgin named Mary. He lived as a man. Though He was God, He took off his kingly robe and lived among men for three years spreading the Words of Salvation. At first to the Jews,the chosen people of God, but because of their stuborness, they rejected Jesus and waited until now for another Savior to come.
Jesus died after finishing his redemptive work assigned Him by is Heavenly Father. Now, He is at the right hand of the Father. From this, John 3:16 came to life:
'FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE."
Now, what is then the real meaning of Christmas as we are celebrating every December. IS IT REALLY GIVING GIFT. Yes, in the real rsense of our world now, this is definitely correct. But biblically, we are off tangent to the original meaning of Christmas.
If the giving of that gift wrapped with colorful X'mas papers and with ribbons binding and decorating it, was given to a person who had wronged us, then, it was a good sign of forgiving him of the sin he had done unto us. . But if it was given to a person who had given you a gift earlier, or you are giving it to a person whom you believe will also give you a gift in return, what benefits will it gives you. None. It is just a simple give and take.
This is my experience in exchange gift. In a party where it was agreed that the minimum cost of gift for exchange with others office mates should be pegged at Php 100.00 and unfortunately, you believed that the value of the gift you received is lower than Php 100.00 ....What would you feel. Most are grumbling and aggrieved. But try giving something to someone whom you do not know. Well, you will experience happiness in the Seventh Heaven.
The real meaning of Christmas is just found within this two words, namely
"FOR" and "GIVING"
HERE LIES THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS:
This is not only a season FOR GIVING;
This is the most appropriate time for FORGIVING.
Did you observe something peculiar to the words. Using the word in a sentence separately will bear a little impact to the giver. Yes, you can give without loving, but you can not love without giving.
Now in sentence No. 2. Here, the impact goes straight to the giver. By this way, the giving is an act of forgiving. By this act, he made himself available in communion again with the very person who had wrong him earlier. It is a gesture of conciliatory act. Thus, we are reminded of the saying " To err is human and to forgive is divine."
To all My Readers, Friends and Visitors on the Web:
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD FOR A MORE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE FOR ALL MANKIND REGARDLESS OF RELIGION, RACE, POLITICAL OR CULTURAL BELIEF. AFTER ALL, RELIGION WAS NOT IN THE MASTER PLAN OF GOD, WHEN HE CREATED OUR PLANET EARTH. THIS IS ALL OURS to enjoy and share. IT WAS NOT INTENDED FOR NO ONE'S GREED. AS WE ARE CHILDREN OF ONLY ONE GOD. WE JUST SIMPLY CALL HIM IN OUR OWN DIFFERENT WAYS. GOOD DAY TO ALL.
