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Implementing the Christmas spirit in daily life
As citizens of the nation, Christians must always walk together in order to overcome various challenges and difficulties.
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Christmas decorations are seen at a shopping mall in Jakarta on Dec. 22, 2021. (AFP/Adek Berry)
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hristians across the world are preparing for Christmas celebrations. Many would, however, forget how to translate the Christmas spirit in their everyday lives.
One way to make this happen is to return to the basics of Christmas. The grateful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ contains the fundamental characteristics, namely joy and peace for the life of mankind and the universe.
From a Christian perspective, the basic character of Christmas in its face of joy and peace is based on two important things. First, it is believed that Jesus Christ was born and came to this world to free humankind and the universe from the shackles of sin. Second, precisely because of that, Christians who have been redeemed and freed from sin are called and sent to proclaim and share this joy and peace in life together.
The joy and peace of Christmas refer to the historical roots of the first Christmas when Jesus was born. Saint Luke reflected and proclaimed the first Christmas which was marked by joy and peace in the story of the angel Gabriel conveying the news of the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds, symbolic of the poor.
So, without a doubt, it can be emphasized how the celebration of Christmas contains joy and peace for mankind. The source of joy and peace comes from Jesus, who Luke said was born in a stable and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Furthermore, He worked to proclaim joy and peace until He died on the cross, but then rose from the dead. By Him, we are reborn as new creations and gain eternal life.
To experience joy and peace and make it happen in life requires struggle. Shepherds who received the first Christmas news of joy and peace struggled to have an encounter with Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. They left the field where the sheep were pasturing and departed that very night, according to the angel's message.
Apart from the shepherds, according to Matthew, there were also the magi from the East who struggled in order to see Jesus Christ. With the help of the stars, the magi found and came to worship Jesus Christ. After experiencing the joy of this special encounter, the wise men returned to their country by another route as indicated by the Lord (Matthew 2:12).
