I thought that while it’s been shown elsewhere just how watered down the Christmas message of love is becoming in our increasingly secular world, I would like to start a thread on the real meaning of Christmas – or Christ’s Mass (from the [url]Old English[/url] Cr?stesmæsse) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
These two phrases resonate with me:
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Put Christ back into Christmas
To me, Christmas is all about love. It's God's love for humanity and it was Jesus living that life of love that destroyed all lack, limitation, disharmony and suffering, that really shows the light that destroyed the darkness.
Though there is uncertainly as to the actual date Jesus was born, celebrating his birth just after the winter solstice, when light starts growing stronger again (in the Northern Hemisphere) was an obvious choice because, as ancient prophecy had foretold:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2
Jesus said of his spiritual mission:
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12), and he proved that practically as well as metaphorically, whenever he restored the sight of blind people.
Dies Natalis Solis Invicti means "the birthday of the Unconquered Sun", a festival inaugurated by the Roman emperor Aurelian (AD 270-275) to celebrate the sun god and celebrated at the winter solstice. During the reign of the emperor Constantine (306-337), Christian writers assimilated this feast as the birthday of Jesus, associating him with the 'sun of righteousness' mentioned in another Biblical prophecy, in Malachi 4:2 “…for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays”.
It is that aspect of Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in its rays, that I want to dedicate this thread to.I hope anyone who has an uplifting, healing or inspiring story showing the real meaning of Christmas will also share. As usual, I went to the now searchable archives of the Christian Science Publishing Society from the 1880’s and found nearly 5,000 articles, poems and audios associated with Christmas!!! Don’t worry, I’m not posting them all! 😮
Thought I'd start off with this very touching story of a beautiful and unselfish Christmas gift of love, especially as it mentions a Nativity scene. [url]"The Pillow Doll" [/url]
Love and peace,
Judy
Here's a heart-warming Christmas tale from the Reader's Digest:
[url]Christmas Stories: The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth[/url]
A pastor’s impulsive purchase leads to an incredible reunion. Coincidence—or divine guidance? You be the judge in this story of a true Christmas miracle.
Here's a lovely healing that that must have brought such a sense of freedom. It starts with a gift of love at Christmas:
[url] "My first real Christmas tree" [/url]
Every year, down it came from the attic. The fake Christmas tree. It wasn't that my family didn't want a real oneas a young girl, I couldn't have one because of allergies. I also couldn't eat a number of foods, including peanuts, fish, chocolate, tomatoes, and cheese. I was also allergic to perfume, flowers, dust, feathers, cats, and more. But Christmas trees were near the top of the list!
This is such a sweet story:
[url]Simple Faith[/url]
Who knew my son would learn the lesson of Christmas at a Jewish preschool?
[url]"A CHRISTMAS HEALING"[/url]
When Nick and our daughter finally arrived home from the hospital, he said that the doctors had diagnosed her condition as a probable case of infantile paralysis. But as it was Christmas Day and they were short-staffed, the doctors had told my husband to take her home, try to enjoy spending the day with family, and bring her back the next morning.
That must have been an unforgettable Christmas!