DON'T MUZZLE JESUS

digsdigs.com

It's that feel-good time of year again: The sights and sounds of a great festival hanging in the air. 


"Merry X-Mas!" "Season's Greetings!" Major avenues lined up with blinking lights shaped into bells, candies,stars, pointy trees, deers, teddy bears, Santa Clauses or whatever.

In most malls, Michael Jackson relentlessly reminds shoppers, "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus,"or Bing Crosby transports us State-side as he croons "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" in an endless loop.  Children fall in line for a photo-op with the bearded jolly old man---that's Santa Claus whose image dominates most department stores' shop-windows.

And for many, it's one shopaholic event after another. Thirteenth and 14th month pays, bye-bye! Delicious "sale" signs remind us to flash the card---utang muna para walang cash out (credit instead of cash).

But while we all get excited---our malls jam-packed with harried people crescendoeing their holiday shopping sprees--- have we bothered to ask ourselves, "What's all the fuss and spending about?"

Call me corny or a killjoy, but I think the material girl (or person) in us has taken us for one big fake joyride.

If Christmas is Christ's big day, how come we're being told, "Greet people, 'Happy Holidays,' instead because to greet them 'Merry Christmas' is not politically correct." 

Companies today are careful to print their Christmas cards without the "Christ" because they've been told, "it is offensive to people from different cultures."

Whose celebration is it anyway? If Christ is the reason for Christmas, let it be "Christmas" instead of "X-Mas,"  "Jesus" instead of "Santa."

And let's not be carried away by the trimmings and glossies some have added on through the years---the obligated gift giving, the pigging-out, the rowdy parties with their rowdy dances (am sure Oppa Gangnam Style will be a big hit this year) and non-stop drinking.  

What's the real Christmas? Christ is the celebrant. Still is! It is about God's grace given to us that first Christmas day. 

Picture the original scene: One dark dreary night, shepherds woke up to see an angel before them, and they were terrified. But the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:9-11)

The Messiah. The Savior. Great joy. Not fear or worry or lack. That's the GREAT news. And the reason for the celebration. Jesus came not only to save us from our sins but to give us eternal life; that, too, we may live abundantly! 

Without Jesus, we are dead to sin and separated forever from God. But because of Jesus, our relationship with God has been restored, along with all the blessings he has prepared for us from the beginning of time.

Could any trimming top that? Or could any attempt to muzzle the name of Christ prevent us from worshiping Him anyway, and in His way, especially during His birthday?

But it's not just about replacing the "X" with "Christ." If you truly believe in what Christ has done for you on the cross, then let's make Christ real to ourselves and our loved ones. 

"Christmas" is not a feel-good, do-good, shop-much, party-to-death season. (Do you know that this is also the time of year when a lot of people feel alone, and therefore commit suicide?)

Christmas is about acknowledging that apart from Jesus, we cannot save ourselves. So accept this gift if you haven't done so yet. 

Sincerely pray, "Jesus, thank you for coming that first Christmas day. I believe you are the Messiah, my Savior. Forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me. Come into my heart. Breathe your Holy Spirit in me that I may live free from sin. Cover me with your amazing grace. In your name I pray."

"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)