The Christmas season - A Holy Time!

The Christmas season - A Holy Time!
This Friday, Christians all over the world will celebrate and commemorate the Holy Day of Christmas, recognizing the birth of Jesus Christ, believed by Christians to be the Son of God. The Advent “season,” which precedes the celebration on Christmas Day, reminds all Christians to “anticipate” and to “prepare” for the “coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ. The commemoration of this event has been recognized for over 2000 years.
Earlier this month, beginning on the evening of Dec. 6 ( and ending on the evening of Dec. 14) people of the Jewish faith began the eight day period of thanks and praise known as Hanukkah. At this time of the year, each and every year, people of the Christian faith and the Jewish faith recognize very special religious events and Holy Days. These Holy Days are an acknowledgment and a reminder that the Lord , our God, is with us each and every day.
The Prophet foretold the coming, centuries prior to this historic and miraculous birth, when he said, “The Lord will give you a sign….the virgin shall give birth to a son whom will be called “Emmanuel’”……. The word “Emmanuel” is used frequently, which according to the Hebrew translation means that “God is with us”…
Throughout history, people of faith have always been reminded to “practice” their faith with spiritual exercises in order to grow in “grace” The Coming or the Presence of the Lord details the way each of us can live a fulfilling and grace-filled life focused on compassion, forgiveness, and justice. The annual reminder to “anticipate” and to “prepare” for the “coming” is an excellent way to live in accordance with the example provided directly by God, and His Son. The “season,” the “holiday” or the “Holy Day” offer each person the opportunity to live the remainder of our life by giving “thanks and praise” to God, and by loving our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. The performance of “spiritual exercises” or the active practice of one’s faith, done throughout the year, during religious “holidays,” “seasons,” “holy days” and/or “observances” is the way for mankind to fulfill the promise of redemption.
The anticipated Savior of the Old Testament was “expected” to conquer the civil “oppressor” of the captive people (Israel), but He was actually the conqueror of the real oppressor, the sins of man in the world. His birth and real “Presence” today is a constant reminder to all generations that “God is with us” during every moment of every day. We are reminded to “anticipate” and to “prepare” not just for Christmas Day, but for the rest of our natural life, so that we can face our Creator ready for judgment, redemption, and eternal life.
The coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas, or the miracle symbolized by the Jewish menorah, is an annual reminder that “God is with us” in our life, and in our midst, and that He loves His creation regardless of its sins, failures, and weaknesses. He remains our merciful and forgiving God. The open expression and practice of each person’s faith should be encouraged and promoted to further the cause of developing proper virtues, actions, principles, morals, and values in future generations. Hopefully, all of God’s children will recognize and appreciate that their life, and entire being, was indeed a gift from God. Therefore, the respect for, and the protection of, all human life from conception to natural death acknowledges this special gift from God.
People of Faith will find their life more fulfilling and purposeful if each would promote and encourage more devout recognition, praise, and thanksgiving to God who created man. Our humility would allow us to publicly accept that “Emmanuel” and that God has never left His creation at any time. Unfortunately, it is His creation who has turned away from God on too many occasions in past history, and sadly, currently today.
Christmas and Hanukkah remind Christians and Jews to return and face “toward” God, and ask for forgiveness of our sins, and seek guidance for how we might live a better and more virtuous life in fulfillment of God’s desire and plan for His creation. Our focus on commercial, business, and sales opportunities can become more important than committing ourselves to living a life of service to others, and providing for the “least of our brothers”. We can truly experience “Peace on Earth, and Goodwill toward Men” by following the lessons and examples taught and displayed by the Savior whose birth Christians are asked to remember each year on Christmas Day. Trust (Faith) in God, without any fear of the future (Hope) is the key to finding peace of mind, heart, and soul. Many seek quick fixes, personal success, self-gratification, fame, authority, control, or material possessions, as the goal of life, and find strife and dissatisfaction, rather than comfort and calm in their life.
Please remember the many who are not as fortunate as we might be, and who also might need our guidance or assistance. Please also remember those who may not be able to be with their family due to their service and commitment to others. This season is known for the many generous acts of philanthropy and giving. Remember the famous verse from the Old Testament, which states: “Let not your hand be open to receive, and clenched when it is time to give.”
May this Christmas, and the many other religious seasons, holidays, or holy days, be a means for you and your family to give thanks and praise by living the balance of your natural life in accord with the Creator’s design and desire for each of us. May we all experience a Holy, Healthy, and Happy Holiday Season which extends throughout the year by our faithful service to God and to one another.
Rejoice! ... Emmanuel! ... Merry Christmas!
J.H. Campbell Jr.
jcampbell@agbr.com