Okay, its 12am here is Singapore and Christmas day has officially begun. 20 seconds has elapsed and it feels no different from the 24th or any other day. Yet, today has a special meaning. A meaning that has lasted for almost 2000 years, a meaning that has transcended geographical boundaries. A meaning that is beginning to be lost.
Well, the theme of Christmas is of course celebrated by Christians. It marks the day in which Jesus (our savior) was born and marks the day in which salvation for the world begins. It also marks the day in which the wise men from the far east brought Gold, mirth and frankincense as gifts to worship Jesus. So thats Christmas in a nutshell, the salient theme here is the ushering of joy, happiness, an overall idea of giving and of course, thanking the lord. Well obviously the world, especially shop owners have embraced the idea of giving gifts. After all, more gifts mean more ringing in the cash registers. A must in our capitalistic and profit driven economy.
So now, I will at least try to shed light on the more elusive part of Christ-mas. Christmas is a time of not only buying and receiving gifts-as fun as they might be. But it encompasses a deeper and more profound meaning to it. You see, today marks the day in which some one who felt deep compassion for the people decided to do something for the people. For he was in a unique position in which he could die and at the same time absorb all the other sins and filth of the people, thus liberating these people from the chasms of sin and torment. Braving the fears and doubts and motivated by love, he did just that. And in doing so, saving the people, provided they believed of his work. Obviously, that guy is Jesus and I just summarized his entire life.
But before I plunge into a sermon, let me gather up the significance of this story.
Be it you be an atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or any religion for that matter. The work of this person is definitely to be admired and adored. For once, forget that the nativity story is about a Christian God and just take a step back and see this Jesus as a mere man. See him as a person. It will probably strike you that the action of this man is certainly honorable, selfless and moving. That emotion is the THEME of Christmas holidays for all religions. The lesson of caring for someone else. For putting someone first. For sacrificing a bit of ones interest, for some one else's. It behooves me to emphasize that Christmas is not the only day that we should do this. But it should certainly be a time for us to remember that.
BLESSED CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!
Well, the theme of Christmas is of course celebrated by Christians. It marks the day in which Jesus (our savior) was born and marks the day in which salvation for the world begins. It also marks the day in which the wise men from the far east brought Gold, mirth and frankincense as gifts to worship Jesus. So thats Christmas in a nutshell, the salient theme here is the ushering of joy, happiness, an overall idea of giving and of course, thanking the lord. Well obviously the world, especially shop owners have embraced the idea of giving gifts. After all, more gifts mean more ringing in the cash registers. A must in our capitalistic and profit driven economy.
So now, I will at least try to shed light on the more elusive part of Christ-mas. Christmas is a time of not only buying and receiving gifts-as fun as they might be. But it encompasses a deeper and more profound meaning to it. You see, today marks the day in which some one who felt deep compassion for the people decided to do something for the people. For he was in a unique position in which he could die and at the same time absorb all the other sins and filth of the people, thus liberating these people from the chasms of sin and torment. Braving the fears and doubts and motivated by love, he did just that. And in doing so, saving the people, provided they believed of his work. Obviously, that guy is Jesus and I just summarized his entire life.
But before I plunge into a sermon, let me gather up the significance of this story.
Be it you be an atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or any religion for that matter. The work of this person is definitely to be admired and adored. For once, forget that the nativity story is about a Christian God and just take a step back and see this Jesus as a mere man. See him as a person. It will probably strike you that the action of this man is certainly honorable, selfless and moving. That emotion is the THEME of Christmas holidays for all religions. The lesson of caring for someone else. For putting someone first. For sacrificing a bit of ones interest, for some one else's. It behooves me to emphasize that Christmas is not the only day that we should do this. But it should certainly be a time for us to remember that.
BLESSED CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!
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