Buon Natale!!!
BUON NATALE!! *
It's Christmas again. As I write this it is snowing outside, so it looks like we will definitely have a white Christmas this year. Yet, that is not the most important aspect of this holiday. What is the most important aspect is the reason why/what we are celebrating today.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."" Isaiah 9:6
"And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
What we are celebrating is a birthday, but not just any birthday. There is no other birthday that is like this 1. No other person who was born in the entire history of humanity was the son of God. This child was fully human, but also fully divine. This child was born without sin. He was the only person who could pay the price for sin. He was the only person who could be what the above Scriptures describe.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
So, we are also celebrating the greatest gift ever given. Jesus is the visible proof of God's love for each & every 1 of us. Jesus is the visible proof that each of us is valuable. Look at the price God was willing to pay for us. God gave each of us the gift of eternal life. But, like any gift it is no good if it isn't received & used. Each of us has to personally accept that gift & receive the benifits it provides. I was baptised as an infant because at that time I couldn't speak for myself. But, as I grew up, there came a time when I had to make that decision my own. & now, as a result of that decision, there is a certain lifestyle that I am called to live. Part of that life is proclaiming what Jesus has done for me. Part is also feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc.
Christmas has value only because of what occurred on Good Friday thru Easter. But, Good Friday could never have occurred without Christmas. The lights, the tree, the gifts, the food etc are all fine. They should, center on1 thing however: Jesus. The presepio (creche, manger scene) is what I love to center on. It is the visible reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with starting the tradition. & like most Italians, I have added to it over the years. Someone once wrote that Italians always have room for 1 more piece. I can attest to the truth of that. Everything I have added still ends up focusing on the Christ Child, just as it should.
So, in conclusion I want to say, thank you Jesus for coming down to Earth, for being born in a manger & showing me the love You have for me in so many ways. Happy birthday Jesus!
*MERRY CHRISTMAS11
It's Christmas again. As I write this it is snowing outside, so it looks like we will definitely have a white Christmas this year. Yet, that is not the most important aspect of this holiday. What is the most important aspect is the reason why/what we are celebrating today.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."" Isaiah 9:6
"And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
What we are celebrating is a birthday, but not just any birthday. There is no other birthday that is like this 1. No other person who was born in the entire history of humanity was the son of God. This child was fully human, but also fully divine. This child was born without sin. He was the only person who could pay the price for sin. He was the only person who could be what the above Scriptures describe.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
So, we are also celebrating the greatest gift ever given. Jesus is the visible proof of God's love for each & every 1 of us. Jesus is the visible proof that each of us is valuable. Look at the price God was willing to pay for us. God gave each of us the gift of eternal life. But, like any gift it is no good if it isn't received & used. Each of us has to personally accept that gift & receive the benifits it provides. I was baptised as an infant because at that time I couldn't speak for myself. But, as I grew up, there came a time when I had to make that decision my own. & now, as a result of that decision, there is a certain lifestyle that I am called to live. Part of that life is proclaiming what Jesus has done for me. Part is also feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc.
Christmas has value only because of what occurred on Good Friday thru Easter. But, Good Friday could never have occurred without Christmas. The lights, the tree, the gifts, the food etc are all fine. They should, center on1 thing however: Jesus. The presepio (creche, manger scene) is what I love to center on. It is the visible reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with starting the tradition. & like most Italians, I have added to it over the years. Someone once wrote that Italians always have room for 1 more piece. I can attest to the truth of that. Everything I have added still ends up focusing on the Christ Child, just as it should.
So, in conclusion I want to say, thank you Jesus for coming down to Earth, for being born in a manger & showing me the love You have for me in so many ways. Happy birthday Jesus!
*MERRY CHRISTMAS11
posted by Al @ 5:56 AM
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