Approaching is one of the most radiant holidays in the Christian world - the Nativity of Christ! And even though the world attaches a different meaning and even a different name to it - Christmas, the effect of the birth of the Son of God is visible to all. Because with His birth, goodness and hope are born for each of us. Amidst the festive atmosphere and elevated mood, having gained internal disposition, we tune into the wave of goodness and, ready to perform good deeds, we become part of various charitable initiatives. Yes, as every year, the festive slogan goes "Wonders happen at Christmas!"
However, why do we only become active in doing good during the holidays? Does goodness take a break for the rest of the year? Do we really need the aforementioned slogan and the obligatory festive mood to be ready to show love for our neighbor? In reality, if we turn our attention to the Word of God, we will find many verses encouraging us to love and do good to each other. In the Gospel of John, ch. 13, verses 34-35*, our Lord Jesus Christ says: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." From these words of Christ, we understand first, that to love each other is a command given to us by Him, and second, that love is the distinguishing characteristic by which we will be recognized as disciples of Christ. In his Epistle to the Romans, Apostle Paul says: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not give false testimony,' 'You shall not covet,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Epistle to the Romans, ch. 13, verses 8-9*) Here, we are again encouraged towards mutual love and fulfilling God’s commandments concerning the people around us, as an expression of our love for our neighbor. James, on his part, is brief and clear: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." (Epistle of James, ch. 4, verse 17*) Of course, these are not all the verses in the Bible that speak to us about love and goodness concerning our neighbors. The entire Word of God is filled with verses guiding us to be good, to help, to love, and not only in certain moments but constantly – as part of our relationships with others.
Why then are we more often ready to love and do good around Christmas? Because in front of us is the perfect example of the incarnated Son of God – the perfect Good and limitless unconditional Love! The example of the One who, although being by nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but humbled Himself by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Epistle to the Philippians, ch. 2, verse 6*) And by contemplating the perfect love of our Lord, we realize that it is possible only with perfect and complete humility – the readiness to renounce oneself, not to hold on necessarily to one’s own, nor to keep account of wrongs, not to anger, to endure, to bear hardships and humilities in the name of good, to be ready to love even when facing enemies. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" were the words of our Lord on the cross. Similar were the words of the first martyr for faith, deacon Stephen: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 7, verse 60*) Perfect love and perfect good are always preceded by perfect humility and complete self-denial. And that is a serious challenge for the self-centered, consumer-oriented modern person. Can we overcome our ego and humble ourselves? We certainly can! Before us is the perfect example – the incarnate Infant, Jesus Christ. Is it easy? No! But at least we can try! Thus, the world will become a little better and not just around the holidays.
**Challenge:** Can we more often prioritize the needs of others over our own? Let us, not only during the holidays but throughout the entire year, embrace this heartily and willingly to love others and do good! In this way, we might reveal ourselves as God's angels to someone who has been praying with faith to God.
*The biblical quotes are according to the text of the Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
Photo: Erika Giraud/Unsplash.com
Post comment
«1»