How should we celebrate Christmas as a family?
What comes to your mind when you think of Christmas? Gifts, Christmas decorations, purchases, Christmas Eve dinner, family, Jesus, Charity . . .
Unfortunately, we often miscomprehend our Christmas priorities when putting them in such order. We also run the risk of listing our feelings and expectations in this same order, picturing that our yearning for shopping is what is best about Christmas.
Another issue we should avoid is to imagine that this special date, like so many others, is yet another opportunity for numbing our pain and suffering, deceiving ourselves with attitudes that distract us from reflecting on what the birth of Jesus really means.
We need to reeducate ourselves. The President-Preacher of the Religion of God, of the Christ, and of the Holy Spirit1, José de Paiva Netto, affirms in his article “The Christmas of Jesus and Human Rights” that,
“Christmas is not a time for forgetting problems, but to seek divine inspiration to resolve them.”
Christmas of Jesus
In the Religion of the Third Millennium, we believe that it is not necessary to abandon Christmas traditions in order to experience the Love that Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman, has taught us.
Actually, this brotherly atmosphere should be expanded to all days of the year, thus ensuring that the Christmas of Jesus is a permanent feature in our lives.
Detalhe da obra: A ceia em Emaús.
At this time of the year, we usually see people more willing to do good, to exalt good values and feelings. It is enough to recall that close to December 25th, there is a great desire for union. People become more merciful and kind, they remember the less fortunate, forgive more (and also ask for forgiveness).
These feelings are worthy of the One celebrating His birthday at Christmas: Jesus, our Divine Friend. In His Gospel according to John 13:13-15, for example, He gave us one of the greatest lessons of courageous humility when He said:
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
In addition, there are many passages on Christ’s trajectory on Earth that teach us the best feelings we need to nurture and thus overcome the challenges of our day-to-day life.
After all, how many conflicts could be avoided if we had used the same humility of the Celestial Educator in protecting those around us? That is why we say “Christmas of Jesus;” it always has been and always will be.
A Merry Permanent Christmas with Jesus!
With regard to the noble meaning of this date, Paiva Netto writes in his article “Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman, and His Triumphal Return:”
“Hail, therefore, the Permanent Christmas of Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman, thus He, who gravitates above human discord, generously applauds the values that exist in all segments of human life, which are Education, Politics, Philosophy, Science, Economics, Art, Sports etc., despite all their differences. May Divine Peace reside in all families and in the recesses of those who think they live alone, when, knowing or not, they are accompanied by their dedicated Guardian Angels. And together we will battle under the auspices of Peace, as extolled Alziro Zarur (1914-1979), ‘for a better Brazil and a happier Humanity!’”
The challenge is upon us. May we carry the true spirit of Christmas—by being more supportive, humane, and merciful—throughout the year, not only at the end of it. Let us always forgive and get together with our fellow beings, so that the promise of the Divine Friend is fulfilled in each one of us:
“Behold, I am making everything new” (Apocalypse of Jesus according to John 21:5).
If you have any question and/or comment about this and other topics, send them to the Religion of the Third Millennium. Let the Ecumenical Spirituality become a part of your life! And if you felt good reading this article, share it! It might touch the heart of other people too.
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1 Religion of God, of the Christ, and of the Holy Spirit — also called the Religion of the Third Millennium, and the Religion of Universal Love. This is the Ecumenical Religion of Brazil and the world.
