Merry Christmas 2009 to all those who are celebrating it. As we know, the church will now will be overflowing with people again, unlike most of the Sundays throughout the year. Some people never turn up to Church unless they have a reason big enough to do so. And guess what, Christmas could be the reason for them to go to church. Even the non church-goers also know that this celebration means a lot to them that they should make time to spend at least an hour following the Christmas mass.
Aha…looks like everyone really waits for this day. But does everyone know WHY Christmas is such an important day?
Yup, let me get this right. Although I have emphasized that A Happier Christmas is by spending it with our loved ones, but actually – that’s still not The Heart of Christmas is all about. Christmas isn’t what most of the younger generation thought it was. Christmas is not Santa Claus, Rudolph the Rednosed Raindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Pine Tree decorated with running lights and miniature hanging deco – and as a matter of fact, Christmas is NOT about big food celebration where you spend your nite drinking till you pass out. That ISN’T what Christmas is all about.
Christmas is actually a VERY religious celebration because it’s celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came into the world to save men from sins by getting Himself crucified at the cross. The sacrifice and sorrow that Jesus went through on the cross remain a very significant event for the Christians. Without the event on the cross, there might not be a religion called Christian. I belong to the oldest religion, that’s Roman Catholic. So now you know why we make the Sign of Christ to honour and remember how much the tragedy on the cross actually makes a different to the world. So, Christmas date is picked to remember the birth of Jesus. His birth is like the biggest blessing from God. He was sent to the people on this earth, because of God’s Love to the people. Christians believe that He is the Saviour who will save the believers and reward them with eternal life. So, it’s normal when you attend the Christmas mass, usually the priest will remind us what’s the Real Christmas is all about. Suddenly you realize that it’s far strayed from the real objective of Christmas. The whole world is excited about the celebration but not all really know or care why Christmas is even here to begin with.
Christmas has been commercialized that it’s now more about a general celebration where people decorate the house and street, playing Christmas songs, throwing big parties, buying gifts and making surprises. It’s the time where people wait to go home and spend time at home. I believe that some people even thought that Christmas is all about Santa Claus. The world has so much to bank from this celebration alone, because it becomes a time when people spend most of the money they make in the year. They all wait for Christmas to finally be able to do something special. Well, that’s why the Church is feeling upset with this because the world is losing touch with the Real purpose of Christmas. But at the end of the day, is it a bad thing at all? It’s not a bad thing. But please, to all the Christians, let’s not forget that this is the celebration of joy for the birth of Christ. We are all thankful because Christ’s birth is a symbol of love. Yes, let’s rejoice for this magnificent birth. Say the thankful prayers that this celebration brings a lot of meaning to our lives.
So… have I made myself be part of this commercialized Christmas? I have been telling my readers so much about the importance of spending time with loved ones. So, am I trying to make the lost people even lost about real Christmas? Nope. As you can see, maybe it’s easier for me because I am not really a materialistic person. I don’t have the pressure to really get ruled by HOW MUCH materials that I have to measure how rich I am. I keep emphasizing WHO we have in our lives, because that’s the real wealth to me. I think I am doing justice and playing my part well in trying to spread the essence of Christmas celebration. LOVE that is. Cos in today’s world, maybe it’s hard to let them know that Jesus Christ is the reason for this celebration. But when you talk about love, it isn’t SO HARD anymore. Because Love is a universal language everyone can understand.
At the end of the day, I think that even Christ is happy that we learn how to adapt love and let it rule our lives. I bet He’s happier because now we know what’s the essence of this life. It isn’t how big our cars and home are, or how much we can spend at a fancy restaurant for the best foods, or how expensive the gifts we can buy for them. It’s NOT that. It’s MUCH SIMPLER. Even those who don’t have all those could still experience the biggest joy. Maybe the real “correction” is in that. Maybe we should not get too obsessed with materials and money. If we can feel rich just by counting our blessings through our loved ones, maybe we already hit the right key. Maybe Christ would forgive us if we forget for a second why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Because His teaching still rules our heart – LOVE that is. As a matter of fact, our biggest gift to Christ is when we can practice how to “Love One Another”. He’ll be happy when there’s no vengeance in our hearts. No more hatred and enemies. "Forgiveness" - is a big word. Just with that, I think we can present Christ the best gift. It’s not even about giving Him something. It’s as simple as sharing love among us. Practice Love.
And What Love is, again? Love is not in what your say, love is not even in what you feel. Love is in what YOU DO. When you do something nice to other people, that’s WHAT LOVE is. That’s a very meaningful church sermon that I remember until today. So much that we talk about love, finally that particular Rev. Father put it in the simplest words. So don’t say that you love until you are willing to show it in action.
I want to take this chance to thank the ALMIGHTY LORD for everything that I have. I thank Him because through the years, I have learnt so much about appreciating my loved ones. I might not do enough, but I know I’m getting there. I also want to thank Him because He gives me this heart. I can feel people’s love and affection for me. I can stop and stay thank you because I might be a very weak person, but suddenly my weaknesses don’t matter anymore because my loved ones will still love and accept me regardless who I am. I also want to say my infinite gratefulness because of the opportunities that life gives me to expand my little hands. Lord gives me the way to use my gifts. Lord, I might ask too much from You sometimes. You have been very patient with me. But if I have one thing that makes You happy, please show it to me through Your help and guidance during my times of trouble. And Please…if I deserve only a little blessing, I would want to share it with the people I love. Please use half of my blessing to lighten and ease their troubled heart when they face difficulties cos I don’t want them to be weaker than I am. I hope I don’t ask for too much.
Merry Christmas Everyone. Yes, we all need an excuse to do something nice. If that’s the case, I don’t think Christ will mind if we use Christmas as an excuse to finally show our love to one another. In fact…it’s all that He might ask for as a birthday gift. Happy Birthday Jesus Christ :)
God Bless Everyone.
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