Yesterday a church member commented about the view that Christmas tree and all other things that distracting true meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus’ birthday. He said there a lot of other things that we do in church that distracts us from Christ and does that mean we strip of everything and only focus on Christ? That means no food, no music and you may think of many other things to add to the list.
I guess he has a point. Some things we are so used to that without those things we do not feel complete. Therefore Christmas is not complete without the decorated Christmas tree and famous Christmas carols. All these are symbol that reminds us and gives us the mood for Christmas. Personally I am not so concerned about whether we have Christmas trees or whatever as long as we remember that the main purpose of Christmas is celebrating Christ’ birth.
Having said that, no one actually knows when Christ was born. December 25th may have been chosen to counter the pagan festival in early church and was made as a day to remember Christ’ birthday. Therefore even December 25th is just another symbol to remind us about Christ.
For Christians then, Christ is the focus everyday and having a day to remind us that Christ was born is a bonus. After all it is a significant event that the Word of God became flesh to save from our sins and bring us to a new relationship with the Father. To me there are two types of people who celebrate Christmas. Those who understand the Word of God became flesh believe Him and those who do not. With or without Christmas tree is not an issue for me.
3 comments:
true gerrad.. but u know some churches, even some evengelicals celebrate the christmas with santa claus.. that's the worst among everything.. for them santa is 'the reason for this season' no santa no enjoyment; no santa no christmas. we are facing this problems in our, even anglican, churches.. may God grant then true love, true peace which is passes all understanding and eternal joy as they celebrating this christmas with or without (we are the one) their loved ones. i'm going back 26th dec night lah to kk.. how about u.. hey, i can access wifi in church itself (only night after 7pm to 12mn). merry christmas and blessed new year gerrad..
I agree with you that sometimes Santa takes prominent place on Christmas. However if we ban Santa just like that it may work in some places but not always. I feel the teaching about Christ and how we celebrate His life throughout Christian calendar should be taught as a process.
People who really believe in Christ will know without reminding them that Christ is the reason for the season. Only people who are not really in the knowledge of the Gospel will be caught up with commercialized Christmas to the extend of forgetting Christ. And I personally feel that taking away Santa alone will not help but rather they must know Christ truly and that takes a process.
This is what I feel but i may be wrong bro. May be banning Santa shows that we are making a strict stand on this issue but how it helps the people is something I must consider.
i agree with u gerrad... need a proceses instaed of banning santa.. certain cases we need to consider about santa... children are enjoying... ppl need to know what is christmas and why we are celebrating... continous teaching will solve this problem..
ok... tc..
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