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“Without Jesus there is no Christmas.” 5 points to remember the reason for the holidays Escrito por: Fr. Enrique Granados |
This time they told me: «I’m tired of so much shopping at Christmas, what if the gifts are for family, friends. What if the decoration of the house, etc. How do I find the true meaning of these holidays, if people around me live in a superficial way? ».
It happens to all of us on more than one occasion that we lose sight of what is essential due to what is accidental, or what is urgent makes us lose sight of what is important. Christmas is not exempt from this reality. What’s more, at this part of the year, it usually happens that to this temptation we would have to add the constant tendency to rob Christmas of its true meaning.
These are some points that we must take into account so that this Christmas we do not forget the real reason why we celebrate.
1. Let us keep in mind the mystery that is hidden in Jesus
Despite all the activity and this latest difficulty that we encounter, Christians have to do everything we can to make this a special time, to enrich our awareness of the mystery of God made man .
This is something wonderful and extraordinary that fills us with joy, and since it is a mystery, its meditation will be inexhaustible and we will have the opportunity to be enriched by it.
But we cannot help but see with sadness and amazement how less and less is said about Jesus every day. I would even dare to say that the reference to Him is almost non-existent in the vast majority of Christmas messages that we hear or see daily.
Knowing Jesus is the most beautiful and precious gift. If you keep in your heart the fervent desire to know and love Him more, I recommend the online course “Knowing Jesus to live in Jesus.” You’re going to love it!
2. Do we forget Jesus?
It strikes me that many people forget to mention Jesus, watch and you will notice. Christmas becomes the festival of noble and good feelings: peace, love, friendship, solidarity, things that are not bad and we all long for.
But it is strange that being Christmas we stop talking about Jesus, who is the source of all these feelings and all the virtues. He is more not only the source, but the fullness of everything noble and just that our heart longs for .
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus , some things could be added to that historical reality, but we cannot subtract the most important thing, which is Jesus, which is what we normally see. The commercials, the advertising, the messages, everywhere Jesus has been left aside. Let’s not do the same.
3. Let us strive to keep Jesus as a priority
Jesus is ignored and left aside, and Christmas focuses on gatherings, gifts, parties and other things. Be careful, I’m not saying that they are wrong, but that the problem is that all those things replace Jesus . Because the whirlwind of meetings is coming, where Jesus is not invited.
In some cases I would dare to think that it is even on purpose that Jesus is not mentioned, to avoid hurting sensitivities , when what we celebrate is Christmas. It’s as if you were going to celebrate July 28th and they told you to please not mention the word Peru.
That things can be distorted and lose their true meaning is nothing new. That is why it is the task of us Christians to ensure that we take care of and prevent the true meaning of Christmas from being impoverished . Help those who do not know what we celebrate, strive so that they can know the richness of this festival. This is the evangelizing task of all Christians.
4. Let’s contemplate the manger at Christmas
Let us remember that the one who brings us together during this time is the Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, which means “God with us”, who comes to bring Salvation to all humanity. It is something very beautiful that in many places the tradition of decorating the house, offices, schools, the manger and decorating it with colored lights is preserved since everything tells us about the joy of the birth of Jesus.
Above all, the lights with which the streets and houses are decorated remind us that this child is not just any child, but is the light of the world . If every birth in itself brings joy to a family, how much more so is the birth of the one who, because he is God, will bring true and authentic happiness to the entire world.
That is why I recommend that we take advantage of the spaces we have in our homes, workplaces, and groups of friends, to nourish them with the true meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus. Make Jesus present by setting up the manger as a family, saying a prayer, preparing together to receive him, making an offer to see what we will give him this Christmas.
5. What will you offer this Christmas to Jesus?
Let’s think, if I can give him a more sincere or perhaps less spiteful heart. A more selfless and less lazy, or purer heart. Each one can think about what could help them reach that Christmas night with a better attitude and inner disposition.
It could also be an occasion to let go of something and give it to someone who needs it . Not simply giving what I have left over, but perhaps giving up something so that someone else can have what I don’t need.
When I talk about detachment, I am not simply referring to material things; it could be very good to be able to donate our time, visiting those who feel alone or are abandoned. Go to a place and put ourselves at the service of others to wash the dishes, serve the table, care for sick people, etc.
I think that gift would be much more pleasing in the eyes of Jesus. Total is his celebration and what pleases God most is that we live love with those most in need. Basically what I want to express is that if we lose sight of the fact that Christmas is Jesus, this holiday will become a festival of consumption . Of meaningless meetings, where the great unknown will be Jesus.
Something that already happens in many places, and it is very sad to see that something is celebrated that is not really celebrated, and therefore they seek to replace Jesus, infinite love, with fleeting things, such as material and This always leaves empty.
Some advice
It can help you apart from what has already been mentioned: taking communion during the week, praying Advent as a family. Pray the Christmas novena, do works of charity and above all, prepare yourself in an attitude of prayer and preparation for Christmas.
I will not tire of repeating over and over again: ” There is no Christmas without Jesus .” Let us remember what the angel says to the shepherds: “I announce to you great joy, which will be for all the people: to you has been born today in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10- eleven). This is the reason for our joy, let us not lose sight of it .
God bless you. And Merry Christmas!
