| It's a month away and the cycle of consumerism, | | | | in the traditional sense of the word. Yet he and he |
| debt, acquisition and joy will soon hit - even with | | | | alone, is above all. |
| gloom of recession hanging over us - big time. The | | | | The Christmas story is the commencement of a |
| shops are getting busier as lists are being made for | | | | lifetime of miracles surrounding Jesus Christ, the |
| presents for dear ones. Depending on what area of | | | | Saviour of the world. It's a fantastic story that bonds |
| the world you're in it's either going to be summer or | | | | people together in love. It's a story rich in history and |
| winter; hot or cold climates bring the opportunity | | | | spirituality--and some might say, mythology. God |
| either to swim or ski. Christmas is a time for family | | | | came to us and dwelt with us. And it all began so |
| and leisure. It's a time, in the midst of all the craziness | | | | humbly and meekly. This is the answer of life for all |
| of the 'silly season,' for us to take some time out | | | | who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Real |
| and reflect on what's truly important. | | | | strength and divinity is known paradoxically in |
| And what is truly important? Life is about people, | | | | peaceable, humble means. |
| important people. It's about time with people and | | | | The real message of Christmas hence, is peace, love |
| finding it within ourselves to be our best with them | | | | and joy. It's about having the heart and committing |
| and for them. These are eternal moments that are | | | | the resources and time to help the poor, hungry, and |
| written in the annals of history; we can't undo | | | | thirsty; it's about visiting those in confinement and in |
| anything we've done. But, there is one way to make | | | | prison; it's about caring for widows and those who're |
| our history, history. It's Jesus. | | | | less fortunate--it's about being the upside-down |
| Jesus--his ministry, life, legacy and salvation--is the | | | | picture of God to others that Jesus showed us |
| reason for the season. His coming, his life, his | | | | throughout his life and teaching, and most of all, his |
| ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension were | | | | death. |
| prophesied numerously in the Old Testament and it | | | | Christmas is a time for giving, not getting. For that |
| was little ole Bethlehem in Judah that would host the | | | | matter, our year should start from this point, |
| birth of the Saviour. The eighth Century B.C.E. | | | | choosing to give each day--in the spirit of Jesus' love. |
| prophet Micah stressed the appropriateness of the | | | | [1] William S. Lasor, David A. Hubbard, and Frederic W. |
| humble origin of the "true shepherd of the people."[1] | | | | Bush, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form |
| The King of kings and the Lord or lords ironically had | | | | and Background of the Old Testament (2nd Ed) |
| a humble birth, life and death. Nothing about his life, | | | | (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eeardmans, 1996), p. 275. |
| with the possible exception perhaps of the Triumphal | | | | See Micah 5:2-3 and Matthew 2:6. |
| Entry into Jerusalem (see Luke 19:28-44), was royal | | | | |