This year's Christmas particularly, to me, has lost its meaning due to the over-commercialisation of Santa Clause, jingle bells, secular celebrations and whatnots. I do not feel as excited as I was the past years, even the Christmas lightings along the shopping belts and christmas carols don't seem to cheer me up as much anymore.
Christmas - The season of love! (:
Christmas is not about Santa Clause but about God's love; about the birth of Jesus Christ - God's one and only Son. Jesus is the best Christmas present ever.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16
God is such a loving Father. (: He has done everything for you and you just simply have to love Him back.
Anyway, chanced upon a comment on a friend's blog which provides another perspective about 'incessant preaching':
"If we put ourselves in their shoes and if we believe in what they believe in, that our friends and our loved ones will die if they don't believe, then I think it would be sensible to do whatever we can, hoping that our loved ones would be saved. Only good intentions intended, if not they wouldn't bother preaching with all the condemnations they have to endure.
It's like 'I know it's frustrating being force-preached, but I don't want you to die either'
Because if it's actually true, and if I realise one day that it is, then I would probably hope that they would not stop giving up hope on me. "
Thank you very much, Terri. (:
Just wikipedia-ed 'Christmas' on Wikipedia and found some interesting facts apart from the biblical and Christian descriptions of it.
One, Santa Clause might have originated from Saint Nicholas,
a Dutch bishop, who was noted for his care of children, generosity and giving of gifts. (Not too sure if he's the founder of the CHIJ schools though. He shares the same name and somewhat similar background! Haha. ) This mythical icon must had been further popularised by advertisers who was interested in stimulating the economy during the festive season! Bahh.
Two, major countries where Christmas is not a formal public holiday are: China, North Korea, Thailand, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Algeria.
Maybe shopping centres and public arenas should display the greetings of "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Festive Season" instead of "Merry Christmas". ;) It would probably deem more appropriate as most people celebrate the end-of-the-year holidays with extensive merry-making and feasts alike.
Cheers to this festive season! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! (at least for the last few days to those of you starting school soon) :D
and thank you God for giving us Jesus.
Actually, gifts-giving and exchanging of greetings are ways of extending love to our families and friends. Christmas is still a season of love. (: I just can't stand it that unscrupulous retail chains and advertisers are over-doing and over-commercialising it.
