Pope Benedict XVI was "right on the money" when he celebrated the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's Basilica last Saturday evening, and urged the faithful to look beyond the holiday's "superficial glitter" and discover its true meaning.
The fact is that -- for the past several decades -- Christmas has become a "commercial holiday" instead of a religious holiday for most Christians.
Beginning with the Friday after Thanksgiving -- now called Black Friday because of a plethora of huge sales that many stores feature as early as midnight -- many Christians have become obsessed with purchasing merchandise at big savings.
Christians continue to have their minds focused on purchasing gifts for their families and friends until December 24. Christmas parties are also popular during this time.
Throughout this month-long "rat race" for buying gifts, Christians, for the most part, have neglected the most important reason for celebrating Christmas; namely, the Birth of Christ.
Christians need to keep in mind that we celebrate Christmas because of Christ's Birth in Bethlehem on Christmas day, not because it is a day when we exchange gifts.
Indeed, the Christmas season should be a time when Christians pray more, and thank Christ for everything that He has given them. It is also important that Christians attend church services and receive Holy Communion several times during this holy time.
Helping the less fortunate and making additional monetary donations to one's church should also occur during the Christmas season.
All in all, Christians need to spend more time glorifying Christ during the Christmas season -- and less time shopping for gifts -- since Christmas really should focus on the Birth of Christ and the joy that His Birth has brought to all of humanity.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment