On Christmas Day the Christian world celebrates the birth of the Messiah. The Hebrew word “masiach” and the Greek word “christos” are translated into English as “messiah” and “Christ” respectively. The two terms refer to the same concept: a heroic leader or savior king who will rescue the people from their hardship.
Jesus identified himself as the Messiah, which is why Christians speak of him not simply as “Jesus the Christ” but Jesus Christ. Jesus fits the bill as the Messiah, because not only was he the greatest savior or hero imaginable because he rescued people from death and separation from God.
According to writer Robert Arp: “The idea of a Messiah is a profoundly important one for Jews and Christians – for Jews because the Messiah is yet to come and for Christians because he has come and will come again at the end of earthly history. Without the hero king, Christians believe that they cannot be reconciled with God because only the Messiah can represent all people and take specifically their transgressions upon Himself.”
Today the birth of Christ is celebrated in many different ways. Even countries like Japan and Thailand which do not believe in Christ celebrate this festival. For many it has become a month-long feast.
In the Philippines, Christmas is a celebration of the family from around the world. Here the celebration is truly international. Almost all Christmas decorations we see in our neighborhoods come from different lands. The Christmas tree comes from Germany. The lights in the windows are a carryover from the candles in the window that was so common in olden Ireland. The Christmas stocking comes from England. The Christmas card comes from France. The Christmas crèche comes from France and Italy. Santa Claus originated from somewhere in Central Asia.
Many people have come to dread the coming of Christmas as an ordeal. This can be caused by those who identify this festival with horrendous traffic and the need to buy gifts.
The real joy of Christmas comes to those who remember the spirituality of this event. Spend Christmas where, in spirit and in truth, you are in the presence of the Christ Child, knowing that every year is a rebirth of goodwill, joy and peace.
Many will wonder at the meaning of spirituality. The dictionary tells us that it is something deeply religious, something relating to the spirit and sacred matters. But this leaves so many unanswered questions, like what is the meaning of the word spirit and what would be sacred?
Brother Andrew Gonzalez FSC, former president of De La Salle University, addressed these questions in his article entitled “Towards a Lasallian Spirituality for Our Students.” He wrote:
“In his or her quest for religio (right relations with God), mores (right relations with one’s fellow men and women) and cultura (right appreciation of one’s tradition), the Lasallian likewise has a need for spirituality, a core of internalized beliefs and values about God, fellow human beings and country. The particular facets of emphasis in this core of internalized beliefs and values constitute a spirituality.”
This concept of spirituality can be adopted by any person. It is composed of three components which can become the basis for a spiritual celebration of Christmas.
The first component is the emphasis on the presence of God. This constant reminder of the presence of God is the reason why Lasallians always begin any prayer with the invitation: “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.”
The second component is the belief that dedication to the welfare of the poor is part of spirituality. The third component is an abiding and firm acceptance of the equality of man, no matter which social class and the attendant respect for all persons that this entails.
In the last 2,000 to 2,500 years the world has seen the rise of universal religions like Christianity. There have been many academic attempts to explain the phenomenon and the success of this universal religion. However, the overwhelming truth is that this religion was founded, not by the force of history or human development, but by the work of a single person – Jesus Christ – whose life and teachings continue to shape our world today.
Throughout history Christianity has attained a wide diversity of forms. But they all ultimately derive from the person, life and teachings of Jesus. Today it exists in a world full of strains and paradoxes. It is the church of the wealthy and the church of the starving. In some countries it is in regression; but in other countries it is exploding with energy and fervor. But the message remains constant, which was articulated by the apostle Paul and commemorated by Christendom.
Jesus was the divine savior who was born in Bethlehem. Through faith in Him one could share his life eternally.
A blessed Christmas to everyone and peace to all humankind.
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