2023-11-29 15:10:59
Every year, whenever we approach the end of the year, there is a greater search for the true meaning of Christmas. This is no coincidence, as there is strong anti-Christian propaganda that aims to dissociate the meaning of Christmas from the birth of Jesus Christ.
As a result, pastors and Christians in general, such as the acclaimed writer Max Lucado, seek to remember that the meaning of Christmas is not linked to the figure of Santa Claus, magical creatures or consumption, but to the birth of the Son of God.
When speaking about the topic this year, Lucado highlighted the context of “chaos” experienced by humanity, remembering that Jesus was born at a similar time, when there was a lot of persecution and ethnic conflicts.
“This year has been difficult. We have the war in Ukraine and now Israel and Gaza, which has turned into such a complicated and horrible bloodbath. And coming out of Covid and now heading into an election year, we need a good Christmas,” he said.
“We need to refocus on Christ, on what He did, and realize that He was born in the midst of chaos, so that He can emerge from the chaos of our world and be born again”, highlighted the pastor.
Herod, the “terrorist”
Referring to the terrorist attacks against Israel, Max Lucado argued that the meaning of Christmas also has to do with resilience in the midst of persecution, something that Joseph and Mary, parents of Jesus Christ, needed to have to face their “terrorist” of the time, Herod.
“We are living in a time of oligarchs and terrorists. They are in the news every day. Well, Herod was all of those things. He heard about the baby Jesus, the King who was being born, and tried to kill him”, recalls the pastor.
In this sense, just as it means hope of salvation for humanity, Christmas also means overcoming chaos. “The result [da perseguição de Herodes] it was a bloodbath,” Lucado said, according to Christian Today.
He concludes: “It’s wonderful to think of Christmas as presents under the tree or on the Hallmark movie channel, but the truth is that Christmas, for many people, is just the opposite of that.”
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