This time of year we are faced with much that is in the way of "Tradition" and have seemed to loose sight of it in 21st century America. The spirit of Christmas is not Santa Claus, gift giving or partying it up, although our modern Christmas has many roots in this.
Any student of the Bible can surmise that Jesus was not born on December 25th because St Luke tells us that "Sheppherds were in the field watching their flocks by night" he was probably born in Spring or Fall. Many hundreds of years ago, it was thought to be a good idea that the Feast of Christmas should be celebrated around the Winter solstice.
Why this date?
Because on the shortest day of the year, the greatest light that humankind has ever known came into the world!
Before this time, many activities happened in pagan cultures to denote the shortening of winter days, and although many people still miss the meaning, let us not forget this!
As an interesting parallel, I find that in the Martial Arts, many styles focus on "traditions" that are more cultural than factual or useful. bowing to a picture of a dead master becomes an act of worship or mindless habit rather than respect and gratitude for what that master did for his art.
In Christianity, we tip our hat to the baby Jesus and either keep him in a barn (His birth story) or leave him in on the cross (his sacrifice and death).
How often do we let him reign in our hearts?
Have a Merry Christmas!
Sincerely
Your Brother in Christ
And Senpai in Karate
先輩
No comments:
Post a Comment