JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - Passion for the Lost

YULETIDE SEASON

     “Ang pasko ay sumapit”… a common song with a common message. But to each one of us the message may be different.
Christmas is nearing, just 11 days to go. I remember during my younger years when Christmas is approaching; you can actually see Christmas, hear Christmas, smell Christmas, taste Christmas and even feel Christmas. Why so?

     a.     See Christmas - Just after the “-ber” months entered, families from different positions and lifestyle begin to display their shining Christmas lights and beautiful Christmas trees and lanterns.
     b.     Hear Christmas - Songs like “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “What Child Is This”, etc. are heard not only from carolers but on TV and radio stations, malls, markets and other public areas. People greet others with Merry Christmas all the time.
     c.     Smell Christmas - The smell and aroma of Christmas are easily experienced even before the month of December. People are preparing their luncheon meat, lechon and other delicacies for Christmas Eve.
     d.     Taste Christmas - Wow, of course, is the food. Food overflows during Christmas Eve. Lechon baka, lechon manok, lechon baboy, kakanin, pancit bihon/canton, palabok, spaghetti, hotdogs, macaroni salad, marshmallows, barbeques, etc. are prepared on most houses.
     e.     Feel Christmas - Ahhh, the feeling of Christmas. People feel the accommodation of Christmas from other homes, the welcoming hands of neighbors, relatives and friends.

     People from all walks of life are excited for Christmas. But as the years have gone by, people began to develop a fear of Christmas. Why? When was the last time you saw Christmas lights, lanterns and Christmas tree in your homes? People who have this, especially the lights, are well-off. Ninongs and Ninangs are not as giving as before. Now, they are the ones receiving rather than giving. When was the last time you ever received a gift from your Ninong and Ninang? I can’t even recall my ninong or ninang (if I ever had one) much more gifts!

     Before, carolers were welcome on our homes and they never leave without a gift. But now carolers need permits and sometimes advance permission to be accepted on people’s homes.

     Why is it that Christmas now is unlike before? Did it really change?

REASON OF CHRISTMAS
     Christmas, as defined by Encarta Dictionary, is an annual Christian festival on 25 December, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. But is Christmas really about the birth of Jesus? To tell you with all honesty, if we are going to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ then it shouldn’t be on the 25^th of December. Why? “In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a "paganization" that debased the true church” (from wikipedia.org). Thus, December 25 is not about the birth of Jesus Christ but about pagan tradition of the early Romans. Come to think of it, most children right now when asked about a person on Christmas day, most children mention Santa Claus and not Jesus Christ. Why? Santa Claus is a giver of presents. How about Jesus? He is the son of Mary and Joseph, born in a manger, 3 kings came by and gave him gifts, etc. The true picture of the birth of Jesus was covered with such stories of Christmas. Jesus is the giver of all things, not just presents but whatever our hearts wills (John 15:7). The reason of Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus Christ in this world; nor is it about Santa Claus; nor is it about presents; nor is it about lanterns, light, trees, decorations and good food. What then is the reason of Christmas?

     From the root words Christ and mass, Christmas is about the acknowledgment of Christ in our lives. Christmas is a day that brings people in unity to celebrate Jesus Christ in their lives. That is one true reason of Christmas. It’s not about us but about the Son.

     The 25^th of December was picked because it was timed on a winter festival and it was the most popular festival of the year in most cultures. We adopted it due to the fact that people around the world celebrate in unity, not the pagan tradition, but the birth of Christ not only in the world but also in our lives.

     Another reason of Christmas is about remembering the kindness of the Father to us that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Christmas is a day to remember the passion of Christ; the passion for the lost.

LOST BUT NOT WANTING TO BE FOUND

     Isa 1:18 states, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. All God ever wanted is for us to come back; to be as white as snow; just as He wanted Israel to repent and come back to Him. In this verse, God had shown mercy. He went down to our level and gave His only begotten Son. His Son became like one of us; felt pain, difficulties and hardships that He never felt when He was with the Father. God’s passion for the lost was so great that He sacrificed His Son for us. He knew what would happen, even Jesus knew His fate. He knew He will be betrayed, hated, humiliated, beaten and even killed. But none of this moved Him because of His passion for the lost; the passion of taking us back to His arms of love.

     Isa 1:19 further states, If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. This verse shows God’s grace. God is so good that He was not only willing to forgive us but to provide for us; and these provisions are not left-overs of the land but the good of the land. Proverbs 10:22 states that the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. God truly is the provider and healer. He is the true giver and not Santa Claus. You don’t have to write a letter to receive blessings but only be willing and obedient and God will command blessings to our homes.

     But even through God’s goodness, love, mercy and grace, people are still defiant to the end. They denied Jesus Christ as His Son, crucified Him, humiliated Him and betrayed Him. I’m not talking about the Jews but Christians now. There are so many lost people that don’t want to be found. They purposely allowed themselves to be lost; to be part of the world and not part of the family of God. Beware, my friends, for Isa 1:20 states But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. This verse shows God’s authority and power. Think about this, we didn’t make God; He made us. We don’t have anything to be proud of in this world. Only through and because of God can we be proud. Through Christmas we can tell the whole world that Jesus Christ is born in our lives and must also be born in their lives.


     Brethren, Christmas is where Christians dwell together in unity. And through this unity God will command the blessing unto us even life forevermore (Psalm 133). Christmas is not about 25^th of December or any festivities but is centered on Jesus Christ It is about God’s passion and that passion is inherited by us, Christians. And this passion is not the passion for the world but the passion for the lost. God bless…