“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a
woman took and hid in three measures of flour‚ till it was all leavened.” (Mt.
1:3)
Christ
came into the world as one of us‚ to change us from within. He is the leaven of
a new world‚ and although born as a little babe‚ in a humble and forgotten
manger he starts a chain reaction that will reach the entire earth.
The
apostles were the first to react to this catalyst and they were changed into
something better‚ from humble fishermen into fishers of men‚ becoming
themselves agents of change for the world.
Through
their missionary work entire populations were converted to Christianity‚
temples were changed into churches‚ pagan holidays were changed into Christian
ones‚ all transfigured by grace‚ going back to the fullness of serving the One
and True God.
Today we
see a reversed phenomenon‚ a sort of a de-Christianization of Christianity.
Under
secular influence‚ Christian holidays‚ like Christmas for instance‚ are
converted or perverted into a shape and form that has nothing to do with their
intended spiritual purpose. They retain a very thin outer shell but they are
emptied of all their content that has to do with salvation‚ and then re-filled
with consumerism waste and rejuvenated pagan rituals.
In the
self-proclaimed post-Christian era the main reason for the season is not Christ
anymore‚ but indulgence. We indulge in food‚ drink‚ parties‚ gifts and so on‚
banking on the idea that Christmas is only once a year and we need to seize the
opportunity. But the true opportunity that resides with the genuine meaning of
Christmas passes by us‚ and Christ again enters the world humble‚ unattended
and ignored.
That is
exactly what Christ wants to change‚ to stop us from ignoring Him‚ and
re-direct us into a new relationship with Him. Our chance to be changed is now‚
when He comes on earth humble‚ loving and ready to forgive. If we miss this
chance at His second coming will be too late because then He will arrive us a
righteous and fearful Judge‚ holding us
accountable for all we have already received and not used‚ probably wasted.
Now is
not too late to resist the unhealthy change that takes over the world and keep the season as what was meant for: a
vigil for the coming of Christ in the world‚ not a nonstop party in expectation
of an overweight consumerist jolly maker. Preparing for Christ’s coming
involves going against the current with fasting‚ prayer and sacrificial love
instead of overindulging in cheap entertainment and self-gratification.
Only in
this way we will be able to recognize Christmas‚ as we should‚ a glorious event
that reshaped the entire cosmos‚ an event that will fill our entire being with
joy and peace‚ not just for the season but for eternity.
Christ is
born‚ glorify Him!
Source: http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2010/12/how-santa-stole-christmas/
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