Rediscovering the True Essence of Christmas

/Dss. Dr. Tan Swee Bee | STM Faculty

 It’s the time of the year…again, to commemorate the birth of hope for all generations! Christmas is just around the corner. As the church enters into the season of Advent, the world outside begins its festivity of gift exchange and celebration. Most are oblivious to the actual reason for the season. Two thousand years ago, God came as a helpless babe but carried the answer to the salvation of the world. People then—many were not aware of that one humble yet most significant divine “trespass” into our world. Similarly today, many people in the world are oblivious to that significant incident the church commemorates each year.

The story of the father’s sacrifice – some call it the “Bridge of Life” which is believed to be a true story of John Griffeth who lived in the western part of the United States during the Depression years, gives us a challenge. The crust of the story was how this man who was manning the railroad had to pull the gears that crushed his son who accidentally fell into them. Passengers in the train were not aware of the fatal accident that was prevented. They were not aware of the sacrifice that saved their lives. A father grieving over his son; that instant decision to save a train-load of passengers; the emotional turmoil of having to sacrifice a loved one for a greater good…no one noticed, no one cared because no one knew, no one bothered^[1].

Today, it is easy to get distracted. Regardless of whatever capacity of work we are in, whether church-based or not, it is easy to get diverted from our main focus. In the seminary, lecturers get distracted by administrative paperwork, paper chase, publications, etc. Students get distracted by the need to get a passing grade, a good academic report, assignment deadlines, etc. The pastor in a church can get distracted by the need to show good statistics for his/her annual report, sufficient financial means, growth in church membership, etc. The office staff are often burdened to complete the tasks assigned to them. In the midst of “busyness,” we become occupied to satisfy the outward need while the inward need gets ignored. In the midst of all “busyness,” we are often distracted from the focus, the purpose, and the reason. In the midst of “busyness,” we forget about God; we forget the reason for doing what we do each day.

This Christmas let us pause…let us be reminded again of the reason for the season. The world out there may be busy with many things. The church may also be busy with many “Christmasy” preparations. We may be occupied and worried about this and that. But only one thing is needed. Only one thing to do and to be…. Pause. Stop. Be still. Sit at the feet of the Master and allow Him to minister to us (Luke 10:38-42), to empower us, and to enable us to be worthy and effective witnesses for His glory.

^[1] For full story, browse “A Father’s Sacrifice” here http://www.allaboutgod.net/forum/topics/1383940:Topic:153826