REDEMPTION: Not Just for Easter
by Fr-Charles Butler
When most of we Christians think of the Holiday of Redemption, we think of Easter. The nature of Easter is all about redemption, after all, Jesus gave His life for our redemption, then cheated death by rising again. But isn't Jesus' birth the beginning of redemption? "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
A Savior...A Messiah...A Redeemer. We celebrate His glorious birth every year. It is a time when smiles come easier, charity looks brighter and love flows more freely. Maybe we instinctively feel the redemptive spirit of the season. But what of those who don't feel it? What of those who just can't get into the celebration because of reasons both internal and external? What can we do to help?
One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas Season is to watch the assorted Christmas Carol/Scrooge offerings. Charles Dickens really had the whole redemption thing down pat. Build a character full of resentment, greed, and lots of regrets, then take the ghost of an old friend and three other ghosts and you can scare the hell (bad attitude) out of anyone. But Mr Dickens sure had the right idea. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7).
I think we all get a warm feeling in our hearts when Ebenezer Scrooge finds redemption; I know I do...my eyes even moisten up a bit to see this poor old soul finally get his aha moment. To see this man finally realize what it's all about. The monologue at the end of Scrooged goes into it all quite well, when a sinner finally has learned the consequence of that sin. He's finally got it! The weight has been lifted off of him! He is no longer blind, as he can see for the first time in a very long while.
Has all the commercialization of Christmas left you feeling cold? Have you lost a sense of the true meaning of Christmas due to negative life experiences? Is Christmas just a humbug in your life? Don't let it be! It doesn't take a series of ghosts to teach the true meaning of Christmas. There is a method that is much less strenuous to the heart. Open your bible and read the Nativity Story in Luke. Read all about the promise of our Messiah, our Savior Jesus. Learn about God's plan for our redemption through Jesus. I challenge you not to feel a warmness in your heart that will last a long, long time.
Jesus Christ was sent to us for our redemption. The story and incidence of His birth is just the beginning of the Greatest Story Ever Told. And you won't find this story in the fiction section, oh no, it's an everlasting fact we all can celebrate. So Merry First Day of Christmas...I'll see you tomorrow with more to ponder Until then, God bless and keep you.
by Fr-Charles Butler
When most of we Christians think of the Holiday of Redemption, we think of Easter. The nature of Easter is all about redemption, after all, Jesus gave His life for our redemption, then cheated death by rising again. But isn't Jesus' birth the beginning of redemption? "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
A Savior...A Messiah...A Redeemer. We celebrate His glorious birth every year. It is a time when smiles come easier, charity looks brighter and love flows more freely. Maybe we instinctively feel the redemptive spirit of the season. But what of those who don't feel it? What of those who just can't get into the celebration because of reasons both internal and external? What can we do to help?
One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas Season is to watch the assorted Christmas Carol/Scrooge offerings. Charles Dickens really had the whole redemption thing down pat. Build a character full of resentment, greed, and lots of regrets, then take the ghost of an old friend and three other ghosts and you can scare the hell (bad attitude) out of anyone. But Mr Dickens sure had the right idea. "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7).
I think we all get a warm feeling in our hearts when Ebenezer Scrooge finds redemption; I know I do...my eyes even moisten up a bit to see this poor old soul finally get his aha moment. To see this man finally realize what it's all about. The monologue at the end of Scrooged goes into it all quite well, when a sinner finally has learned the consequence of that sin. He's finally got it! The weight has been lifted off of him! He is no longer blind, as he can see for the first time in a very long while.
Has all the commercialization of Christmas left you feeling cold? Have you lost a sense of the true meaning of Christmas due to negative life experiences? Is Christmas just a humbug in your life? Don't let it be! It doesn't take a series of ghosts to teach the true meaning of Christmas. There is a method that is much less strenuous to the heart. Open your bible and read the Nativity Story in Luke. Read all about the promise of our Messiah, our Savior Jesus. Learn about God's plan for our redemption through Jesus. I challenge you not to feel a warmness in your heart that will last a long, long time.
Jesus Christ was sent to us for our redemption. The story and incidence of His birth is just the beginning of the Greatest Story Ever Told. And you won't find this story in the fiction section, oh no, it's an everlasting fact we all can celebrate. So Merry First Day of Christmas...I'll see you tomorrow with more to ponder Until then, God bless and keep you.
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