Christmas


I read many posts lately on Facebook about the religions intolerance in Indonesia. I feel sad reading some news about it. So far, I have been silent to give comment, but I feel that I need to write my thought. This is the post relating to some recent news about religious tolerance in Indonesia. A thought about what if we, Christians, are forbidden to celebrate Christmas due to religious clash.
(source: http://wallpapercave.com/free-christmas-nativity-wallpaper)


If Christmas is forbidden, do not lose your courage.
Christmas is not just a feast, but a birth.
Christmas is not just a program, but a reflection.
Christmas is not just a beautiful decorated tree, but a gift itself.

If the Christmas has no feast, program and trees, Christmas is still a Christmas.
Christmas resounds the birth of Savior for the lost souls.
Christmas tells about hope in the hopeless world.
Christmas shows the light in the darkest world.

So, if this Christmas has no candles, trees, or even songs, Christmas is still a Christmas.
We can still celebrate Christmas when Jesus Christ has born in our heart.
We can still hum the ‘Silent Night’ in our quietness.
We can still be the ‘gifts’ for people surround us.

Be the hope when there’s no hope.
Be the peace when there’s no peace.
Be the light when there’s no light.
Be the songs when there’s no joy.
Be the love when there’s only hatred.

Live in the Words of God daily, 
Be the living examples.
So that the world can see, 
We are HIS Disciples.

May love, hope and peace of Christmas be with you all.


Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 
 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


John 3:16 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 related news: http://jakartaglobe.id/religion-news/muslim-group-shut-christmas-celebrations-bandung/

#christmas #tolerance #peace #2016


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