We all have Christmas favorites such as the carols, poinsettias, nativities, Christmas lights etc. Chestnuts, hot chocolates and gift giving are my personal favorites and take up my priority. It is all nice to have but it is not what Christmas is all about.I wouldn't even dare to explain it, however let me share my few. The best example I can imagine is that of H2O which could be a solid (ice), liquid (water) or steam (gas). They are all the same, yet different form. They make the one substance H2O. Another thought that crosses my mind is the trinity in me - Hephzibah - my body, mind and soul - definitely these are three different forms of me - yet they make the "Me" in me. With my very limited capacity this is how far I can get to - in understanding Trinity; however the Trinity of God is beyond any descriptions.
Now to get to the point, Father God created the whole earth and all that we see such as the sun, stars, seas, animals, creatures and also the humans. When He created the man(Adam) He created him in His image and in His likeness. He loved to spend time with this human on a daily basis. However sin separates Adam and God. Since then no form of sacrifice could redeem Adam fully. The wages of Adam's sin would be 'death' - eternal death. God couldn't allow that. That's when He decides to send in His own son - Jesus - to be born in human form and be sacrificed as a sinless lamb of God - forever paying off the cost of the sin, to bring Adam once again closer to God his creator.
Christmas is all about This Child Jesus who was born to take away my sins by His stripes. Christmas is a day to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and more importantly the death and resurrection of Jesus that brings me eternal life.
Christianity in it's entirety can be summed up in this single scripture: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16" The focus is on the word, "whoever" - doesn't matter young or old, rich or poor, brown or fair, anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life!
For me Christmas is not just the 25th of December! It is also the 24th, 26th, 1st, 2nd or any day of June, August, February or any month! The date doesn't matter - it is the message that This Child was born to take away my sins - that's what matters.
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8 comments:
DECEMBER 25TH
This a reply to the comment made by A
Was Jesus born on December 25, or in December at all?
The Bible does not specify a date or month. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be tending their flock in the fields at this cold time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Historians and Bible scholars point out that a more probable time for the birth would be late September.
Why do many Christians celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, if that is not when he was born?
The date was chosen by the Roman Catholic Church which dominated the Christian world for centuries. The date became tradition throughout most of Christendom. The original significance of December 25 is that it was a well-known festival day celebrating the annual return of the sun. December 21 is the winter solstice (shortest day of the year and thus a key date on the calendar), and December 25 is the first day that ancients could clearly note that the days were definitely getting longer and the sunlight was returning.
Since no one knows the day of his birth, the Roman Catholic Church felt free to choose this date. May be the Church wished to replace the above festival of the sun with a Christian holiday so that the people who joined the Church may not miss the festivities of that day. May be there were other reasons too.
The twelve apostles of Jesus never asked us to celebrate the birth day of Jesus. We are asked to remember His death and resurrection only. However, we Christians are happy to remember and celebrate His birth, any day of the year and why not on the day when the whole world celebrates it?
True date shud not be important we dont know for sure wht the DATE was ...
each day spent as a human being is a good day
@YL (Amma),
Thank you so much for detailed explanation. A long time I had read something like that but did not remember.
You are right on the point. I clearly remember I was taught in school Christmas being 'The Big Day'. The big means, day began to become longer. I always related Christmas with that. Later I got confused Jesus was indeed born on 25th Dec. But there are different accounts of that. One of my polish friend (Roman Catholic and very talented) says Jesus was born in September and Christmas is celebrated in Dec for the same reason as you mention plus to brighten up dark winters.
Once again, thank you very much.
@Hephzibah,
Excellent explanation. I have to say, this is your THE BEST POST I have read.
Simple, easy to understand and clearly tells the crux of matter. Mind, Body, Soul -> That makes me. God, Son Of God and Holy Spirit => so well explanation.
Really THANK YOU.
IMO, consider publishing your mom's comment as a separate post.
Thanks
@YL, @Hephzibah
(((: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU and YOUR FAMILY :))))
One Jesus Christ and over one thousand denominations,and each one of them thinking they are in the right path.
Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter on other dates. Pentecostal churches do not celebrate anything,thinking they are the most scientific of all.
It is as if there are too many roads to salvation.
NriGirl, Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas and joyful year ahead. :)
Loved reading your post,comments and specially the way you tried to explain Trinity in self. :)
Happy somewhat belated Christmas. I enjoyed your explanation, though for my family, Christmas really is about food and pointsettas and eggnog. Hope you had a lovely one!
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