I was asked to share some thoughts about Christmas from a Christian point of view in a lesson given at church recently. Here is a portion of the lesson. There are three posts all together and this is #2. If you are interested in the rest go here.
There are folks that grouse and complain about Christmas being so commercialized and losing the true meaning of Christmas during the holiday season. I don't agree with this sentiment and this is why. I think for those people that have faith in Jesus Christ everyday is Christmas. We keep Christ in our hearts and praise him daily. We have an ongoing, living relationship.
The holiday season is not only time to think about Christ's birth but it is a time to strengthen the family, uphold traditions that are righteous and elevating, and a time to strengthen our bonds with people we care about near and far. It is a time to reconnect and to let others know we love them even if they only hear from us once a year~they are kept forever in our hearts. It is a time to give gifts, serve others and to enjoy each other's company. It is time to sing, to stay warm by the fire, to rejoice in the good things in life and our Heavenly Father who has given it all to us. It is a time to have fun and enjoy the blessings we have.
I see no conflict with worshiping and celebrating the Savior and letting little kids enjoy Santa. Nor do I think we should be somber about it all~ Giving and loving and being merry are healthy. We need to stay focused on the good things in life~Christmas is great for that, don't you think?
Some of the things people complain about do miss the mark, but in reality I think they began with good intentions and an attempt to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. These folks seem to throw the baby out with the bath water and keep a 'bah humbug' attitude in their hearts. What is to be gained in that? I think a person can both enjoy the traditions of Christmas and also feel deeply of the significance of what the traditions symbolize. There is always something to complain about but we have to find the good in this life.
Let's Consider some of the Symbols
The Evergreen Tree~God's Never Changing Love For Us, while other things come and go. He remains Constant and Unchanging.
The Candy Cane~The Shepherd's Staff~Jesus Leading and Guiding us on our Way.
The Wreath~A Sign of Eternity with no beginning or end.
The Presents~Remembering the Love that God had for us in giving his Only Begotten Son and also the Gifts brought to the Jesus by the Wise Men. The Atoning Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior for us.
The Star~The Night of Christ's Birth. The Brightness of His Hope.
The Lights on Our Christmas Tree~ The light of Christ Shining Brightly Everywhere, even in darkness.
The Carols~ The Heavenly Host of Angels Singing on that First Christmas Eve. Sharing the Good News with those around us. In the Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 we read " For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."
Family Gatherings~ Can remind us of the blessing Eternal Families
Sharing a holiday meal with loved ones~
Feasting on the things in life that are good!
There are folks that grouse and complain about Christmas being so commercialized and losing the true meaning of Christmas during the holiday season. I don't agree with this sentiment and this is why. I think for those people that have faith in Jesus Christ everyday is Christmas. We keep Christ in our hearts and praise him daily. We have an ongoing, living relationship.
The holiday season is not only time to think about Christ's birth but it is a time to strengthen the family, uphold traditions that are righteous and elevating, and a time to strengthen our bonds with people we care about near and far. It is a time to reconnect and to let others know we love them even if they only hear from us once a year~they are kept forever in our hearts. It is a time to give gifts, serve others and to enjoy each other's company. It is time to sing, to stay warm by the fire, to rejoice in the good things in life and our Heavenly Father who has given it all to us. It is a time to have fun and enjoy the blessings we have.
I see no conflict with worshiping and celebrating the Savior and letting little kids enjoy Santa. Nor do I think we should be somber about it all~ Giving and loving and being merry are healthy. We need to stay focused on the good things in life~Christmas is great for that, don't you think?
Some of the things people complain about do miss the mark, but in reality I think they began with good intentions and an attempt to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. These folks seem to throw the baby out with the bath water and keep a 'bah humbug' attitude in their hearts. What is to be gained in that? I think a person can both enjoy the traditions of Christmas and also feel deeply of the significance of what the traditions symbolize. There is always something to complain about but we have to find the good in this life.
Christianity is a religion of symbols. We just need to allow ourselves to see the intended meaning behind some of the traditions of Christmas in ways that allow us to remember what is true. The symbols can testify of all of Christ's gifts in our lives. As the scriptures say, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." There does not need to be a struggle between our traditions and customs and the truth. It is not a one or the other type of thing. We can celebrate the fun of Christmas, as well as the JOY of it. The fun of it creates wonderful memories and lasting family traditions, the JOY of it gives us ALL we will ever need in this life and the next. All good things, right? What more could we possibly want or need? What is not to love about this beautiful season?
Let's Consider some of the Symbols
The Evergreen Tree~God's Never Changing Love For Us, while other things come and go. He remains Constant and Unchanging.
The Candy Cane~The Shepherd's Staff~Jesus Leading and Guiding us on our Way.
The Wreath~A Sign of Eternity with no beginning or end.
The Presents~Remembering the Love that God had for us in giving his Only Begotten Son and also the Gifts brought to the Jesus by the Wise Men. The Atoning Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior for us.
The Star~The Night of Christ's Birth. The Brightness of His Hope.
The Lights on Our Christmas Tree~ The light of Christ Shining Brightly Everywhere, even in darkness.
The Carols~ The Heavenly Host of Angels Singing on that First Christmas Eve. Sharing the Good News with those around us. In the Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 we read " For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."
Family Gatherings~ Can remind us of the blessing Eternal Families
Sharing a holiday meal with loved ones~Feasting on the things in life that are good!
The Important Thing to Remember is:
Seeing is Believing and Believing is Seeing.
All Good Things Testify
of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Seeing is Believing and Believing is Seeing.
All Good Things Testify
of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
This is great Mom. I love it!
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