23/12/2013
THE TRUE CHRISTMAS
KEY VERSE : " For a child is born to us, a son is given , and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace." ( Isaiah 9:6-7 ) .
The birth of Jesus Christ , although we can not say exactly the right date , is a historical, irrefutable and undeniable fact , that brought profound implications for all men . The importance of the life and work of Jesus is so striking that human history was divided into two well defined parts : before and after him .
As Oscar Cullmann said "the action of Christ extends throughout history. It is driven , centralized and conducted . Christ is not only a chronological point of time , it is he who gives meaning to each of the major divisions of the history of salvation. " The great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon said that " Christ is the great central fact of history . From his looks to forward or backward . "
The Old Testament - the first part of the Bible - brings with it several prophecies that said : - He will come ! There is even indication of the place of birth of the Messiah : " But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, out of you will come for Me to be ruler in Israel , whose goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity . " The New Testament warns us : - Jesus Christ came , was born in Bethlehem , lived among us , died crucified for our sins , rose again the third day and come back soon ! Maranatha!
Many want to celebrate at Christmas the birth of Christ . But he would have been born on December 25th ? If he was not born on that date , who was born and who people are celebrating without knowing it ? The term Christmas mean birth - hence other words like nativity, christmas , etc. . The 25th of December is a symbolic date . What is known is that that day was dedicated to the Roman calendar the celebration of Christmas Sun undefeated - feast of sun worshipers . As Christianity prevailed in Rome , the date was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ . This topic has attracted the attention of many theologians throughout history and generated much controversy . The Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 6 and Armenian on the 19th of the same month .
The 25th of December was chosen because it coincided with pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice , in worship to the sun god . Also on this day according to the Encyclopedia Britannica , celebrates the birth of Tammuz . His priests were sacrifices , ie to cut the heads of babies and hung on pine and other trees .
Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful party . But what kind of party - pagan , idolatrous , Catholic mysticism ? Many symbols were added to the Christmas party over the years , such as : - the Christmas tree , Santa Claus, exchanging gifts and cards , crib , among others . All these symbols often deviate from the true meaning of Christmas and still are exacerbated by capitalist chant . In large malls and trade in general is abused called " Christmas spirit " and little is said of Christ - supposed birthday .
At a time when people want to celebrate the birth of Christ , it is important to remember that more than one party with plenty of food , drink and gifts , the birth of Jesus is the manifestation of the mercy and love of God who never gave up men . Our position , then, should be like the wise men came from afar to worship him and even brought their gifts (Matthew 2:1-12 ) .
It is dangerous to give up the fact that , among so many lights , stay in the dark with no one who is the light of the world in the midst of so much food , we get hungry one who is the bread of life , in the midst of so much drink, stay thirsty that it is the water of life .
We must therefore accept the humanity of Christ ( a child is born in the ... ) , recognize him as the beloved Son of God ( a son is given ... ) and true God who became man to redeem mankind lost as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi : " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God , but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men : And being found in human form , he humbled himself , and became obedient unto death , even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted him , and given him a name which is above every name : That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord , to the glory of God the Father " ( Phil. 2:5-11 ) .
If Jesus Christ in the " visit " today , surely would be disgusted with everything that has been done in his name, but nothing of his spirit and what he taught . So much corruption, violence , crime , injustice , poverty, immorality and disbelief - next to a missing church and alienated , sometimes triumphant , it would cause the same outrage that was against the religious of his time . On the other hand , the same Jesus today, too , weep with compassion for so many sheep that have no shepherd .
For many men , called masters and doctors , Jesus is more a myth , others see him as a charismatic leader , an enlightened or even a rebellious and crazy visionary. Some say it was a perfect man and endowed with a natural wisdom. Much just want to contact the historical Jesus .
Thomas Brooks " rattle without the breast not satisfy the child ; house without her husband does not satisfy his wife , the world without Christ will not satisfy the soul ." For the reformer Martin Luther " Christ in his life is an example that shows us how to live , at his death, a satisfactory sacrifice for our sins, in his resurrection , a winner , in his ascension , a king , in his intercession , one high priest . "
To J. Blanchard " when Jesus came down to earth does not cease to be God . When he returned to heaven , it was still a man. " In the words of F. The Hughes ' Christ as man slept on the boat . As God calmed the storm . As a man , wept . As God said to Lazarus : - come out! - As a man was placed in the tomb . As God , he rose . "
John the Baptist saw him as a lamb without blemish and without spot , perfect for the sacrifice - the agnus dei - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ( John 1:29 ) .
Pontius Pilate presented - Ecce homo - - "Behold , I bring him out , that ye may know that I find no crime in him " (John 19.4 ) .
The Holy Bible presents Jesus as the Logos - the verb - the only way to God , the truth , the life , the door , the Chief Shepherd , the agnus dei - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world - the first fruits of those who sleep , the Lion of the tribe of Judah , King of Kings , Lord of Lords , the Alpha and the omega , the one who saves the sinner , healing the sick , releasing the oppressed , who comforts the afflicted, and that made us more than winners . To Him , our only Lord and Savior enough , all honor , glory , praise and worship forever.
Because Jesus came to the world ? We can enumerate many reasons:
- To be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation : " I gave you a light for the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth " ( Isaiah 49:6 ) ;
- To preach the acceptable year of the Lord : " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the poor . Sent me to heal the brokenhearted , to preach deliverance to the captives , and recovering of sight to the blind , to set at liberty those who are oppressed , to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord . liberty to the captives , and recovering of sight to the blind , to set at liberty them that are bruised , To preach the acceptable year of the Lord " (Luke 4.18,19 ) .
- To spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God : " But he said to them : It is also necessary that we announce the gospel to other cities of the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent " (Luke 4:43) ;
- To bring eternal life to those who believe in Him : "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life " ( John 3:16 ) ;
- To save the world , "God sent his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him " ( John 3:17 ) ;
- To destroy the works of the devil : " He that committeth sin is of the devil , for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil " ( 1 John 3:8 ) ;
- To destroy the devil who had the power of death : " Inasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he too shared in the same , that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is , the devil " ( Hebrews 2:14 ) ;
- To take away our sins : " And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin " ( 1 John 3:5 ) .
So whether or not commemorate Christmas, the important thing is not the time nor the party , but the singular fact : - Jesus was born ! Then hear your sweet voice : " Behold, I stand at the door , and knock: if any man hear my voice , and open the door , come in to him , and will sup with him , and he with me . " ( Revelation 3 : 20).
Celebrate , then the Son of God , who was born , grew up , performed miracles , died for us and rose again to give us a place in heaven . To him , Jesus Christ , is the honor , glory and praise forever .
pr Freitas
