Watered-down meaning of Christmas??
Watered-down meaning of Christmas??
Just like Easter, the meaning of Christmas seemed to have watered-down to quite an extent, given the commercialization of the festive seasons. The festive spirit fills the air - not because Jesus was the focus, but because of the Christmas trees "planted" all around in the shopping centres, hotels, etc ... because of the generous spirit of the shoppers scurrying from place to place buying gifts for friends and loved ones also add on to the fact that Christmas is round the corner, and the year is coming to a close soon ... because of Christmas carols played aloud everywhere and carolers singing the Christmas cheer. Yet amidst all the caroling, I wonder how much of the meaning do we really understand from the carols and believe cum act upon them????
We sing, "silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright ..." - it was that night when Jesus was born, but if Jesus were to be born today, I guess our loud music, parties and cheers would drown out that "silent night" and our self-centred delight in satisfying our fleshly pleasure would kill the "holy night". Are we ready and quiet enough to hear the whisper of the Lord as He speaks??
We sing, "be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay ..." but yet when He accepted the invitation to stay, who is it that strayed away? And where in our heart and life did we give Him a place to stay?? In the corner and area in life where we don't want Him to interfere??
We sing, "joy to the world, the Lord is come ..." yet we become very reserved when we are given a chance to share this wonderful good news to people who needs it. Is it because we are shy? we are afraid? we are not convicted of the message ourselves??
One of my "favourite" Christmas carol is "we three kings" - not because I believe there are really 3 kings or 3 wise men - the Bible wasn't explicit in that ... but it's the words of the songs that just remind me how committed these magi were in searching for Jesus and giving Him the highest honor and worship when they found Him. These men came from the East, faithfully following the star that guided them, enduring the long and tiring journey by camel during those days, and I guess their travel can take them easily weeks, if not months ... What's inspiring about these men is also the fact that they brought along the best gifts they can offer - I guess they have no idea that where they are going to see this King would be in a lowly manger, yet they brought the very best, followed the star, and when they came to the place where Jesus was laid, they focused not on the physical conditions of the manger, but on the King itself. Shouldn't that be our attitude and focus?
I guess I'm guilty myself as a Christian for allowing Christmas to be watered-down in such ways ... and I pray that as Christmas draws near, should God give me an opportunity to share about the reason for the season, I would boldy testify in truth for Him ...
Just like Easter, the meaning of Christmas seemed to have watered-down to quite an extent, given the commercialization of the festive seasons. The festive spirit fills the air - not because Jesus was the focus, but because of the Christmas trees "planted" all around in the shopping centres, hotels, etc ... because of the generous spirit of the shoppers scurrying from place to place buying gifts for friends and loved ones also add on to the fact that Christmas is round the corner, and the year is coming to a close soon ... because of Christmas carols played aloud everywhere and carolers singing the Christmas cheer. Yet amidst all the caroling, I wonder how much of the meaning do we really understand from the carols and believe cum act upon them????
We sing, "silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright ..." - it was that night when Jesus was born, but if Jesus were to be born today, I guess our loud music, parties and cheers would drown out that "silent night" and our self-centred delight in satisfying our fleshly pleasure would kill the "holy night". Are we ready and quiet enough to hear the whisper of the Lord as He speaks??
We sing, "be near me Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay ..." but yet when He accepted the invitation to stay, who is it that strayed away? And where in our heart and life did we give Him a place to stay?? In the corner and area in life where we don't want Him to interfere??
We sing, "joy to the world, the Lord is come ..." yet we become very reserved when we are given a chance to share this wonderful good news to people who needs it. Is it because we are shy? we are afraid? we are not convicted of the message ourselves??
One of my "favourite" Christmas carol is "we three kings" - not because I believe there are really 3 kings or 3 wise men - the Bible wasn't explicit in that ... but it's the words of the songs that just remind me how committed these magi were in searching for Jesus and giving Him the highest honor and worship when they found Him. These men came from the East, faithfully following the star that guided them, enduring the long and tiring journey by camel during those days, and I guess their travel can take them easily weeks, if not months ... What's inspiring about these men is also the fact that they brought along the best gifts they can offer - I guess they have no idea that where they are going to see this King would be in a lowly manger, yet they brought the very best, followed the star, and when they came to the place where Jesus was laid, they focused not on the physical conditions of the manger, but on the King itself. Shouldn't that be our attitude and focus?
I guess I'm guilty myself as a Christian for allowing Christmas to be watered-down in such ways ... and I pray that as Christmas draws near, should God give me an opportunity to share about the reason for the season, I would boldy testify in truth for Him ...
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