Christmas is here and to many it is about celebrating, sharing, giving and about spending time with family and friends. Well, all this is fine. But do you know the significance of Christmas celebrated all over the world? Let’s take some time during this festival season and see what it teaches us?
Man looks at the outward appearance of things but God looks at the heart, and from the inside of a person’s heart comes the evil and wicked ideas that lead to do immoral things: to rob, to kill, commit adultery, be greedy, deceit, indecency, jealously slander, pride and folly – all these will make them impure and unclean.
The Christ has taken birth on this earth to save us from sin and to give us a pure and clean heart filled with love, joy, peace, humility, patience, kindness, faithfulness and other virtues that are acceptable and pleasing to God and man. In short, He was born to eradicate all kinds of evil from this world.
Here are some teachings of Jesus. This list is not complete, but we picked some that are very important.
Repent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Christ asks us to confess our sins – both physical and mental. This is very difficult for many of us. It is very painful for many of us to admit our sins. Try doing it once; you will see your heart becoming light.
Compassion: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus showed compassion to all. He helped the poor, the untouchable and those who are hated. Can we do this? If we do this, there will be no upper caste, lower caste differences in our country. There will be no greed to become rich and obviously no cheating, corruption and pride.
Be sincere, not a hypocrite: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
How often do we pretend to be good. We dress, walk and talk in a way to show that we are humble, compassionate and decent. Some of us do this to showoff that we are smart, good looking, generous – don’t ask me, you know! Be sincere, and not a hypocrite is what Jesus is saying.
Love your enemies: “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
Hope you understand, no need to elaborate I believe. At the same time its needless to say, the Christ’s life teaches us to show and need to give love, a solution to all the problems. When the politician is in love with God, he would not divert public funds for his private gain. When the quality control officer in Government department is in love with his nation he would not permit the low quality food grains. If a person is in love with his work, he can climb the peaks in his career.
It’s time for us to admit that we do many things that do not please God. Let’s reflect on Jesus’ teachings and enter the New Year as a better people. If we follow these things, I am sure we all can become better parents, children, employees, employers, friends, neighbours, and better citizens.
You may also like to read:
- Christmas Tree, Star, Bells…What do They Signify?
- Waiting for Santa This Christmas…Know What He Brings