As I'm sure my readers will agree, every holiday needs to have an fundamental cause (real or mythical) for its existence. Now, if it's to be a global holiday, clearly, that imagine must be one that's universal, sufficiently prominent and relevant to population from all over the world so as to make them want to observe/celebrate it. Going further, to be on the top of the list of global holidays, the headcount of its supporters must be the maximum among that of all other potential contenders for the No. 1 spot. Nothing comes really close to Christmas in this regard, in my opinion!
(Note: Christianity is the largest particular religion in the world at the gift time. Christians form approximately 1/3rd of the world's population, followed by Islam, that forms a puny over 1/5th. Contrary to favorite belief, atheists & agnostics take 3rd place, accounting for a puny less than 1/6th of the world's population. Arguably, but highly probable, therefore, is my claim that Christmas has the maximum number of supporters. Also value of prominent intangible factors like peace, goodwill, caring, sharing etc. Need to be included, before arriving at a final score in case of an attempt at comparison). (Data sources: 1. Document titled H.Res.847 of the Us Govt Printing Office 2. Wikipedia 3. Wikipedia Reference 'Major Religions of the World').
Let us look at Christianity now, from the perspectives of universality and global relevance just discussed above.
Regardless of factors such as being rich or poor, old or young, male or female, suitable or rejected by society etc. There is naturally no one that's not welcome to Jesus Christ! He came to die for the redemption of all mankind - that means just whatever and everyone. None is left out. Therefore Christianity is universal. With the exception of Islam, it is the only religion that wants its message of salvation to be actively proclaimed to population everywhere in the world. Although Christianity and Islam are both proselytizing religions, the greatest extent to which Christian missionaries go in preaching the gospel message (like suffering torture and even death) is evidence, in my belief, of greater caring for the unreached than their Muslim counterparts. Without tantalizing quarrel, I would thus like to say that I feel strongly convinced that Christianity is the most caring world religion too. At least, I'm sure none of my readers will contradict me if I say that it is second to none in this regard! This is quite unlike Hinduism (for example) that might accept converts to its fold; but without actively seeking them. Hence, in summary, Christianity stands out as being truly universal plus it holds the dissimilarity of being one of the most caring of world religions (if not The most caring religion).
Now, let's turn to relevance. Jesus Christ is an undeniable part of history, unlike the Gods of many religions who have never really shown up on the earth. Jesus' message of salvation is being preached all round the globe even today. Isn't it clear that that message is for everyone? Does not Jesus warmly accept the poorest of poor, the unwanted, the lonely, the wretched, the sinners, the group outcasts, the returnees to its own fold etc. While not ignoring others at the same time? And aren't there adequate of his ardent followers everywhere who go about telling the story of their conversion, from every cause of hopelessness known to man - existence without meaning, injustice, cruelty, oppression, exploitation, prison, addiction, strange and severe illnesses (and in short, everything that affects the human being or his soul to his greatest destruction) to a life with sound meaning and joy in Him? Aren't there adequate of Christian institutions (hospitals, universities, orphanages, hospices and the like) that daily showcase Christ at work in His population and light-up the meaning of the same message of salvation by their work and example? Aren't the pages of our history sprinkled everywhere with the blood of those martyred for His sake? And, aren't there his disciples all over the world, even to this day, who would stop at nothing (including laying down their lives) to show their love and allegiance to Him? How do his followers make such dramatic and illustrated turnarounds in life who were some of the worst failures we ever knew before receiving Him? Christianity is also the religion credited with the unique dissimilarity of its teaching of loving one's enemy while other religions stop at loving just one's friends. Some population might reject it, but it rejects no one, down to the day of one's death. Need I say more about its relevance to the world, even today?
On catalogue of the facts above, the two prime prerequisites to being the No.1 global holiday - universality & relevance, I believe are best fulfilled by Christmas. Therefore, I make this loving, grateful & well-deserved tribute to Jesus for advent up on top (once more, as everywhere else too, I believe!) on the list of global holidays.
I stumbled upon the significance of Christmas (detailed above) while reasoning over the gift situation of friction in the middle of 'Happy Holidays' and 'Merry Christmas' in the West. Therefore, in concluding, I would like to make an impassioned request for retrial to my readers Against the 'Happy Holidays' wave. There's a lot to lose voting 'Happy Holidays' in as the greeting of the season. Most prominent of which will be losing the spirit of Christmas and its caring impact, the world over. 'Happy Holidays', we know, stands for nothing really. When one looks at it in some depth, one sees that it's most likely going to bring happiness to those that are moneyed and Healthy, quite leaving out every person else. Isn't that really cruel selfishness? What imagine to be happy does 'Happy Holidays' hold out to the Homeless? Or the poor, the aged, the lonely and group outcasts? Or those in prison? What's in it for them? Let's remember, at Christmas, those who take charity seriously drop in and visit these 'unhappy' folks, send a greeting card, give them gifts, say a kind word etc. (and of course charity does not start or end here, these unhappy folks receive care throughout the year from those who contribute them with their food, shelter, encouragement and hope). Those who look to Christ at Christmas hope for deliverance and happiness in His promises. (And I'm personally convinced that they do come true in many cases.) These are the folks that will be left out.... Maybe forever, if things go the way of the uncaring, selfish, 'Happy Holidays'; that stand for really nothing either!
Visit : Best Get valentine sayings
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น