“Terrible traffic!” we complain.
Everywhere, human and vehicle traffic is horrendous: on the road and parking lots, in malls, restaurants, hotels, government halls, schools, etc. Shopping, decorating, wrapping gits, attending or preparing for parties/reunions keep most people busy—and stressed.
These happen every year when we celebrate Christmas.
“Why do we celebrate Christmas? Asked our Pastor Moe in his exhortation during our church fellowship.
He presented a simple listicle, which made me sit up to grasp it well. I am echoing and reflecting on it here (abridged), primarily for me to always remember, and for anyone who asks the same question.
1. Christmas is doctrinal: As a church, we believe in the Incarnation—God becoming flesh or taking on flesh—the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus.2. Christmas is historical: witnesses, documents, and books attest to the fact that Jesus was indeed alive and nailed to the cross.3. Christmas is mystical: with awe and wonder, we cannot fathom why the all-knowing, all-powerful God would give His life for inconsequential humans.4. Christmas is relational: Emmanuel, God with us! He came down to have a relationship with man. He made a way for us to reach him, as a demonstration of His unconditional love for us, so that we may likewise love one another (beginning with our own family).5. Christmas is emotional: We feel with our heart when we read the Gospel. The story of Jesus coming to earth touches our core and so we worship Him. The decorations, giving of gifts, reunions, fellowships are all about the heart feeling celebratory.
The nativity is what adorns our church; it’s symbolic and graphic for both children and adults to understand why the birth of Grace, mankind’s Savior, is celebrated.
Merry CHRISTmas!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)
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