Luke 2:10-14 (NRSVCE)
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!””
According to history, this tradition of Christmas is of Roman Origin. The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), that is why people had it at Midnight! So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas. But Romans during their conversions to Christianity, blended the true celebration of ‘Christ-Mass’ with many Pagans traditions and gave them Christians titles or meaning to divert people from Paganism to Christianity. (Ref. www.whychristmas.com). Although puritans are against adopting pagans' way, this engaging tradition became effective and acculturated the entire world. Christmas today became the holiday that unifies almost all of professing Christendom.
Christmas is observed by many in all parts of the world with parties, decorating, feasting, and bringing presents to everyone to whom they favor. Christmas is certainly a celebration filled with cheers and wonders for most people. But in any gathering, especially in the family, the moment of opening the gifts or presents is always the highlight of the celebrations. Often than not, the givers experience great joy when they are the ones who brought the best gift of all. The reason is, other than serving their ego, making someone very happy makes them happy too, and sometimes happier than the recipient of such joy.
Looking at this event in the Holy Scripture, GOD also designs to give us the gift that will bring us great joy. This gift is the answer to our longing for contentment or satisfaction of our hearts. GOD’s gift is no other but His Son Jesus, and HE bestowed Him as the Gift of Love for us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. When we open this very precious gift, it open us to a new gift of Eternal Life with Him in Heaven. That's the best gift ever.
Starting from Jesus Christ's birth, the angel of GOD said to the shepherds, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Our Gift from GOD who is Jesus, is unmatchable. Nobody and nothing can exceed that Gift. If we truly understand that Jesus is our everything, we will not pray for any gift on Christmas. Because Jesus carries with Himself all the gifts that truly satisfy. He is our our wisdom, our holiness, our righteousness, and our redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). He gives the Holy Spirit to us, AMEN! When we open this Gift, it is a Door to many other super special gifts, joy, peace, hope … and all that are everlasting.
2 Corinthians 1:19-22 says
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, was not “Yes and No”; but in him it is always “Yes.” 20 For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. 21 But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, 22 by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.”
Prophet Simeon waited for this gift all his life. He was blessed by the Holy Spirit to received this Gift, Jesus, the Christ. He declared in Luke 2:29-32,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant[h] in peace, according to your word; “for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
This Christmas, we should keep in mind that we are celebrating because GOD made us the recipient of this Amazing Gift. The sign that we grasp the meaning of Gift giving, is that, when we share this Gift of great joy who is Jesus to everyone, especially this Christmas season. We expect ourselves not only to bring material gifts but bringing the best gift of all, the Good News who is Jesus Christ to all the people.
Without Jesus as focus, traditions will be in vain on humans' way alone. Jeremiah 10:2-3says,
“Thus says the Lord:
Do not learn the way of the nations,
or be dismayed at the signs of the heavens;
for the nations are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the peoples are false”
This commercialism that engulfs this tradition is taking control of us, but the benefit from our spending of money, time and efforts, is a temporal happiness. GOD really planned our rejoicing to be done in the other way, in the most humble way with eternal gains. When the shepherds were instructed to go, they would go not in a decorative inn to see a king in a royal robe, but to an animal shelter, to see a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. The result is an amazing joy for them and for those who heard the good news from them.
Isaiah 55:2 says,
” Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.”
Proverbs 30:15 also proclaims,
“ The leech has two daughters;
“Give, give,” they cry.
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough”
Only the gift of GOD will bring us great joy. Isaiah and the book of Proverbs says clearly, that we can never be satisfied. GOD can only satisfy the very thing we need. HE said, “With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.” Simeon in our verse story, waited long enough for his satisfaction, as there’s nothing that satisfied him, and this is it, to witness the Good News of great joy, his salvation and the salvation of many.
Today, many are thirsty and need one thing. We should not spend money which is not ‘bread’ and consume effort which does not satisfy. Why not give them or bring them the Good News of great joy? Give them the Word of GOD, Jesus Christ, for He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path." says the LORD. (Prov. 23:19) If you received Jesus Christ, open this Gift, then share Him, AMEN
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