Following on from this email, I too felt that the real essence of Christmas is being distorted over time.
In my humble opinion, the message of all the saints and sages has been the same and the following is small poem which share such thoughts:
The Real Meaning of Christmas...
A time for christmas trees, a time to sing carols,
A time for a new beginning and to end all our quarrels
A time to forgive, a time to start afresh
Its the season of good will, so let's hope we're all blessed
For the coming year holds, the hope of a new beginning
So we can learn from our mistakes and correct where we were sinning
My fear is this though, that somewhere in our minds
The real meaning of Christmas is somewhat in decline
What happened to the baby, in a manger who was born
Who came on to this earth, to repair all that was torn
The birth of a chosen one, Lord Jesus Christ His name
He taught us about one global family and said we're all the same
For Lord Christ came on to this Earth and taught us all to care
He broke his bread in half and told us all to share
The message that He left, is not just for a season
To bring people together, that was His real reason
So if I could have one wish for Christmas, what would it be?
It would be a wish for all and not just one for me
That all our words are sweet, that they hold a sweet flavour
My wish is that we can all, learn to love "thy neighbour"
That we can all, learn to love "thy neighbour"
Humbly,
Lucky
-----Original Message-----
From: Chander Nayyar <cshnayyar@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:14:11
To: <Divine_Souls@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Divine Souls:4367] MASTER'S DIVINE SOUP FOR EVERY SOUL--( HAPPY
HOLIDAY OR HAPPY HOLY DAY)
HAPPY HOLIDAY OR HAPPY HOLY DAY
For centuries, society has been slowly drifting down a broad river of change, but speed is picking up, and we have now entered the rapids. Even Christmas is not immune to these changes. It has become just a "holiday" to the world-and, sadly, even to many true believers.
"Merry Christmas" has been replaced by "Happy Holidays," and carols about Jesus have been traded for songs celebrating Santa Claus, winter, family, and friends. Finding Christ-centered Christmas cards has become a challenge. Snowmen and sleighs have taken the place of manger scenes, which were once common in both private and public settings.
This slide away from real worship of God is the natural progression of the world, but it is not the direction that believers should go. Drifting is easy: you just relax and follow the path of least resistance. But going against the stream requires constant awareness and diligent effort. We must actively guard against letting the world steal real God worship from our celebrations.
Christmas is not just a HOLIDAY; it is a HOLY DAY-the day God came to earth in the flesh of a tiny baby for the purpose of reconciling sinful mankind to Him. Holidays are numerous, but there is only one HOLY DAY (Christmas.
The world tries hard to find pleasure in God-less holiday observances, but happiness is often elusive when experiences don't match expectations. If you feel a sense of letdown, you may have drifted away from an authentic celebration of Christmas. Allow Sat-Guru and God back in, and joy will return.
