There was nothing glamorous when Jesus was born on Christmas eve in a manger.
Rex Bacarra, Ph.D.
UAE Golden Visa holder. With UAE Qualification Equivalency. Educator. Speaker. Writer. Specializes in People and Change Management, Philosophy, Leadership, Culture, and Ethics.
There was nothing glamorous when Jesus was born on Christmas eve in a manger -one that holds the food of the beasts. The family was forced to stay in an uncomfortably cold room for animals, and the only companions were the animals themselves.
His poverty gives us a lesson on what the true meaning of Christmas is.
- Celebrate conscientiously. Restaurant and hotel owners should avoid raising their prices for a "Christmas" experience that is all about materialism. If they do, they are no different from the merchants and money changers who filled the temple in Christ’s time, and just like them, he will drive these greedy business people out with these words, "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade."
2. Do not be angry when you receive nothing or less than what you expected from your parents, godparents, partners, and friends. Christmas isn't about the gold watch that you desire, or the latest gadget in the market, or the shoes and bags that you covet. It is neither how expensive nor many, but about being there for you in deeds and words, offering encouragement and a shoulder to lean on, throughout your life's journey.
3. Jesus in the manger is symbolically an offering on the table from poverty to redemption. This mirrors many overseas Filipinos: they needed to be away, offering themselves as a sacrifice with the hope of redeeming their families from poverty. This sacrifice should be adequately understood by those in their home countries who demand unnecessarily and begrudge unreasonably.
4. Be kind to your past. Have courage in your present. Be hopeful of your tomorrow.
5. Jesus is king, yet chose to go against the trappings and human definitions of being king. This "going against" is our challenge this Christmas. The greatest gift is when you are kind even to the unkind, charitable, and patient to those who irritate you the most and loving even to those who refused to be loved.
Go ahead. Give a smile and wish a stranger a truly Merry Christmas.
#christmas #love
Project Manager & Supply Chain Professional | Fostering Christ-like values | Whoever said God and work don’t mix? “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord” Colossians? ?3:23?
3 年Amen. Another important lesson - we never know when the Lord might arrive at our doors; be vigilant in prayer, be faithful to His Word and strive to be Christ-like everyday in humility, forgiveness and love to friends, strangers and enemies alike. Merry Christmas Dr. Rex!