Why do we celebrate Christmas?
(let me answer it as the way I used to define Christmas when I was a little)
-- We celebrate Christmas because it's the birthday of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is a time where I receive a lot of gifts and pennies (which is the other way around today :D) and where I get to eat all my favorite food! We also celebrate Christmas to give thanks and to ask forgiveness for all the people we've done wrong for the whole year (or many years ago) and the best part is that, it is when we have reason to text our crushes or ex-boyfriends! Like, it is really a chance that if we missed, then, we'll have to wait for another year! :D
Phew! So, really, that was the way I used to define Christmas celebration. Shallow, isn't it? BUT today, I am proud to say that it is way way different now. Thank you, God for renewing my mind! :)
Sooo, YES, like other religions say, they don't celebrate Christmas because December 25 is really not the exact date of the birth of Jesus and it is just a Pagan holiday. I even got to watch a preaching about that date from other Christian channel where the preacher showed proof that December 25 states as the birth of Jesus in a Catholic Dictionary but at the same time, the Catholic Encyclopedia admits that it is not really the exact date.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. -- Luke 2:4-7
Like, if you look closely, as it is written, you would ask yourself.. How could a baby placed in a manger born in winter season? So, definitely, December 25 is not really the exact date because it is not in the Bible.
BUT remember, even if we don't know the exact date of Jesus' birthday, we should keep in mind that everyday is HIS! So, even December 25 is his. And so, what if we celebrate it on that date? The important part is that, we get to celebrate His birthday and treat it as a special day once a year. Although, we should not just remember Him on that date. Again, EVERYDAY IS HIS and especially in this season, let us not forget Him!
Now, going back to celebrating it, last Friday, I attended a Friday night service in a local church in Pulilan, Bulacan. It was my very first time to attend a service in a local church in the province. An old woman preached about Christmas and I must say that her preaching made me appreciate the birth of Jesus more. Like, I was so amazed to hear that there is a greater reason why we should celebrate His birth.
And one is that, in the Old Testament, many times, it was prophesied that a Savior will be born. So, the people in the Old Testament waited for so long for Jesus to come. And in the New Testament, Jesus was born and by His grace we are all saved! And now, we are just waiting for His return.
And YES, we are waiting.. Waiting for so long like the people in the Old Testament did. However, I was really amazed with what the preacher said. It is not actually us who are waiting at all BUT it is HIM! Like, He could return now, as in now or long before we were born BUT what take Him so long, right? Is He not ready, yet? Of course, not! Jesus is always prepared because He is our Lord, our Savior! The thing is, HE WANTS MORE PEOPLE TO BE SAVED! He wants His lost sheep back! :)
Don't you think it is something to be grateful and celebrate with all our hearts? That the Lord that we serve is actually the one waiting and not us? That all by His grace, love and goodness, He'd like more and more of His children will live with Him forever. That is the God that we serve!
Imagine if Jesus came like 5 years ago, I can't imagine where in the world I would be right now or I might not be existing at all! Thank you, Lord for your amazing love!!
So, let us renew our minds and not boxed Jesus as the one who just died on the cross for us BUT because of His amazing love He has been waiting for us, too. And we, as His followers and the children of God, we are called to spread the good news all for God's glory.
Now, as you read this, I hope you, too, would celebrate Christmas as you never had before! Take advantage of the whole season to thank Him, praise Him and honor Him with everything you do! Be grateful that He has come not just to save you but to wait for you. This special season is only for HIM regardless of the exact date, no one knows but the fact that we honor this season for HIM would definitely glorify HIM.
Merry merry Christmas good people! :)
