Interesting Green: December 2024

Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 41, "Saving Christmas . . . From The Marketplace", Page 215.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

PHOTO: When Christmas is around the corner, shopping districts are lit up like a carnival. Shoppers congregate at stores and malls, eyeing the goods displayed to capture their attention. Cards have to be sent, gifts have to be bought, parties need to be organised. Everybody seems to be celebrating Christmas these days. It has become a festival for all. Christmas is for everyone. Shouldn't we rejoice?

On the surface, this would be so. The good news of Jesus is, indeed, for all. But when we dive deeper, we find a problem - for most, Christmas has become a secular festival (separation from religious or spiritual concerns).

Christmas secularised

It is true that Christmas, as celebrated by the church, was a Christianised version of a pagan festival (ungodly). The year-end festival was infused (filled) with biblical meaning: the feast of the incarnation (God took human form in the body of Christ) of God, the birth of Jesus Christ. A similar process took place in the way Easter festivities were developed by the church.

While Easter has remained very much a Christian festival, celebrated with reverence by the church, Christmas, on the other hand, has sorely (severely) suffered in secular hands. It has been hijacked by the shopping industry, stripped of its essential meaning, and put forward as a secular celebration. The holy day has become a secular holiday. Even when moral meaning is attached to Christmas, only nice humanist principles such as goodwill and gift-giving are on offer.

Christmas trivialised

Still, let us refrain from the insular (narrow-minded) mindset that Christmas should be kept exclusively for ourselves. After all, the Lord himself commanded us to share His good news with others. The secularisation (separation from religious) of Christmas does remain a valid concern, especially the trivialisation (to belittle) of Christmas - the trampling underfoot of the truth of Christmas by secular customs. How should we respond to Christmas decorations and greetings outside the doors of bars, nightclubs, and places of ill repute? Such things are hindrances to the Great Commission.

Christmas gifts consist of both the gift and the packaging. In our age, however, the externals have become more important than the content. Catching the spirit of the age, we may have allowed the truth of Christmas to be wrapped out of sight by the popular Christmas of the marketplace. It is time for the church to take back Christmas from the marketplace. Let the holiday become our holy day again.

Let Christmas be a holy day

As we go about taking back Christmas from the marketplace, we ourselves must be careful that we do not bring only the packaging back into church. Instead, we must hold fast the truth of Christmas: that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16), the indescribable gift in which eternal life is found (2 Corinthians 9:15). We must pray that the world's version of Christmas will not confused the minds and harden the hearts of those who need to hear the good news. Let us save Christmas from the marketplace so that the world might be saved.

Picture posted by AMANA, International Christmas Market
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbsgX8KA5pDbGL1IxAqyjCXDFbAGROTjXcX9AS_b6SveLtEtImf2sXfBW4eYI5d0_2dLblok6rOnUV0rBQb9GUf6D7bS1PvtMMrcrBv9-Yy8oD-RaGRgykGcL8qofExIWwV-hC1ArUwzR-WuI65tj-l4PU1EWpnZrBI2oxuz6wTI6kJ-JNkSqgOxGheU/s768/1916_Christmas2-768x507.jpg
https://amanacolonies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1916_Christmas2-768x507.jpg
https://amanacolonies.com/places/united-states/iowa/amana/gifts-books/international-christmas-market/

When Christmas is around the corner, shopping districts are lit up like a carnival. Shoppers congregate at stores and malls, eyeing the goods displayed to capture their attention. Cards have to be sent, gifts have to be bought, parties need to be organised. Everybody seems to be celebrating Christmas these days. It has become a festival for all. Christmas is for everyone. Shouldn't we rejoice?

PHOTO: When Christmas is around the corner, shopping districts are lit up like a carnival. Shoppers congregate at stores and malls, eyeing the goods displayed to capture their attention. Cards have to be sent, gifts have to be bought, parties need to be organised. Everybody seems to be celebrating Christmas these days. It has become a festival for all. Christmas is for everyone. Shouldn't we rejoice?
Picture posted by Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1SyZgpBujVnll6B_2hu3xXjkXWZPDtoLEZhh8Rqg_AUhoERu34l6BO17Rvm5CqUn2DT6hS6G6CSLshRfkl-JN6eOudKHN_GbaItO7ECV92EXk2nqNc_VcHDn8ZrShfS-Ken8vsDMPBEdKO2MKMp6ot14WHaJGnTluX56vYckmxWpXAJTZAbzOcyPqNo/s1024/IMG_1190-683x1024.jpg
https://www.pavilion-kl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_1190-683x1024.jpg
https://www.pavilion-kl.com/christmas-love-magic-at-pavilion-kuala-lumpur/

On the surface, this would be so. The good news of Jesus is, indeed, for all. But when we dive deeper, we find a problem - for most, Christmas has become a secular festival (separation from religious or spiritual concerns).

PHOTO: On the surface, this would be so. The good news of Jesus is, indeed, for all. But when we dive deeper, we find a problem - for most, Christmas has become a secular festival (separation from religious or spiritual concerns).
Picture posted by Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-eKIm0GmsSaiUrNBpldrgjPXnFerxIM7QJcXSAeloXfgW251-tKivubP8IuWKRvBSPOWMlgrVTwzLek8fg-BkKH9OCtlykvAj1ko6VNzjYyUcZzGo1hPr4i1-wUWl68_athR3fPPXTkTYGQyqWtnMF4ozsGWD6VyC8dQggkm3M4x79OyGtMOkDILarw/s1024/Pavilion-KL_6-1024x683.jpg
https://www.pavilion-kl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pavilion-KL_6-1024x683.jpg
https://www.pavilion-kl.com/christmas-love-magic-at-pavilion-kuala-lumpur/

Christmas secularised

It is true that Christmas, as celebrated by the church, was a Christianised version of a pagan festival (ungodly). The year-end festival was infused (filled) with biblical meaning: the feast of the incarnation (God took human form in the body of Christ) of God, the birth of Jesus Christ. A similar process took place in the way Easter festivities were developed by the church.

PHOTO: It is true that Christmas, as celebrated by the church, was a Christianised version of a pagan festival (ungodly). The year-end festival was infused (filled) with biblical meaning: the feast of the incarnation (God took human form in the body of Christ) of God, the birth of Jesus Christ. A similar process took place in the way Easter festivities were developed by the church.
Picture posted by Mobiles24, AI_Wallpapers - Nativity Christmas Scene Bethlehem
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y64pYn9LpP68mH8Px6l6gzMAPP6bq820HnQEgIX9Wqjg67NWzfZtnwSFynigISfUV2qE7rWviJ8Gmn44h96YfoaWXdawYRc5BMh99SSG4Ucp-Z4UPysNpJyM7OTlA6iIou2Awv-wF0eKw7SsFE8sx_g9gG0mPs0mTk6J9TcAFHLPrInnsM1kUAIE-18/s800/P-650497-oWf9W46qtn-1.jpg
https://img.mobiles24.net/static/previews/downloads/default/331/P-650497-oWf9W46qtn-1.jpg
https://www.mobiles24.co/downloads/s/650497-331-nativity_christmas_scene_bethlehem

While Easter has remained very much a Christian festival, celebrated with reverence by the church, Christmas, on the other hand, has sorely (severely) suffered in secular hands. It has been hijacked by the shopping industry, stripped of its essential meaning, and put forward as a secular celebration. The holy day has become a secular holiday. Even when moral meaning is attached to Christmas, only nice humanist principles such as goodwill and gift-giving are on offer.

PHOTO: Christmas secularised
While Easter has remained very much a Christian festival, celebrated with reverence by the church, Christmas, on the other hand, has sorely (severely) suffered in secular hands. It has been hijacked by the shopping industry, stripped of its essential meaning, and put forward as a secular celebration. The holy day has become a secular holiday. Even when moral meaning is attached to Christmas, only nice humanist principles such as goodwill and gift-giving are on offer.
Picture posted by jamielynnmack, Nuremberg, Germany - Germany’s most stunning medieval Old Towns, the Nuremberg Christmas market offers 180 beautifully decorated stalls selling local specialties and artisanal
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrl9pDJhgQ_eNnYPYlFUfQFiKbNx5gJiDpy-A09ckBB9qCyvS3stjmRNgZKTBz9MUJhfh8Nu4sYPzk4IFFQf8nbMIhgkb908qezmD45gMnS0EUsDFz01fc3-ZSuOT0OFbjW6h_yMSMc0Am5HtyymcQK0_t-rR9RDtHNBy5U2K56yrAHBADe5bqZIaXvQ/s1350/466786266_9768606753165704_3876819483787399545_n.jpg
https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/466786266_9768606753165704_3876819483787399545_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_p1080x1080_sh0.08&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=fvtMEyHKPk0Q7kNvgHcQE1_&_nc_gid=2ef411517fac46ac89ee29a40c6a8601&edm=APs17CUAAAAA&ccb=7-5&oh=00_AYAqmLoH0d12JAK7pqbXktUNuOAP5u5uD9fi3NVQI3CasA&oe=6753198B&_nc_sid=10d13b&dl=1
https://www.instagram.com/jamielynnmack/p/DCVAxDDpxiz/

Christmas trivialised

Still, let us refrain from the insular (narrow-minded) mindset that Christmas should be kept exclusively for ourselves. After all, the Lord himself commanded us to share His good news with others. The secularisation (separation from religious) of Christmas does remain a valid concern, especially the trivialisation (to belittle) of Christmas - the trampling underfoot of the truth of Christmas by secular customs. How should we respond to Christmas decorations and greetings outside the doors of bars, nightclubs, and places of ill repute? Such things are hindrances to the Great Commission.

PHOTO: Christmas trivialised
Still, let us refrain from the insular (narrow-minded) mindset that Christmas should be kept exclusively for ourselves. After all, the Lord himself commanded us to share His good news with others. The secularisation (separation from religious) of Christmas does remain a valid concern, especially the trivialisation (to belittle) of Christmas - the trampling underfoot of the truth of Christmas by secular customs. How should we respond to Christmas decorations and greetings outside the doors of bars, nightclubs, and places of ill repute? Such things are hindrances to the Great Commission.
Picture posted by Mariah Carey on Monday, 04 November 2024 at 12:21 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN2YV9bYfYxlQPG4rhu7mvcDD_Enk20PYZWjK_LKHUszM8AgTIetW8ts9briZt7aP2cny5y4zUxYuVKG62G70f0gbcJtsV1cp_twX2N1FlwLsG0V6SeOM7I7dCe-ABcTJtUHR6uvNxt9l2gRhHUtYc8MtWoVX2fgjBTmV3-Goxhjh-Vntu4fFV8cYYFc/s1800/465169973_18481154701046936_2287051893862175682_n.jpg
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1109818960501626&set=pb.100044205980755.-2207520000&type=3

PHOTO: Mariah Carey is trending in The US because a festive-themed wax figure of the singer has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in New York City. Note the wax figure could be the one in red gown.
Picture posted by Mariah Carey on Monday, 04 November 2024 at 12:21 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gfGv3r6CrRbBo8ZL3AbyM75dnSGs4L-IABsX2d-YljCi1GXDujYlQMt_wUM1p9JhXA0YMRGqBFgnNkOZqcuwsxfB0LOgwAaw9b9RqApgG6NHs6PWgSTHTI2uLfP8YhXurMRFv99SkAhUTKtMluooC3gZ5y_ZakH9FXXbGojJNeRks7k4rC5Vddi2d9o/s1731/465087764_18481154692046936_4396810910637775558_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin15-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t51.75761-15/465087764_18481154692046936_4396810910637775558_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=FAmLno0dghwQ7kNvgGkxNFO&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin15-1.fna&_nc_gid=AkMHs1LP5PcW_E2RXbIMUq6&oh=00_AYDif64XU_zhJgRlvbtDt4RNldPoRi-umzt_x06AQ_8iqw&oe=67533271
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1109818957168293&set=pb.100044205980755.-2207520000&type=3

Christmas gifts consist of both the gift and the packaging. In our age, however, the externals have become more important than the content. Catching the spirit of the age, we may have allowed the truth of Christmas to be wrapped out of sight by the popular Christmas of the marketplace. It is time for the church to take back Christmas from the marketplace. Let the holiday become our holy day again.

PHOTO: Christmas gifts consist of both the gift and the packaging. In our age, however, the externals have become more important than the content. Catching the spirit of the age, we may have allowed the truth of Christmas to be wrapped out of sight by the popular Christmas of the marketplace. It is time for the church to take back Christmas from the marketplace. Let the holiday become our holy day again.
Picture posted by mi.mi1520 Mariah Carey. 2024.🎄
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqftIUjfPOXOV3PbllLQfU3V3iZmrz02h3J1IZ8wIwrPyhMj40hiZHwb5mXtHXn3IWADgdcb6y8lOgkWs3_Uhj2r_2JTZp5GOKdYhxpUcthQR4j9uK4L0RrwDX6pwwJ5VoUPDS9c8tZZoGihjegBxJ4ziGWcnAP4zYzTgcvpLqy7wxvuqwcfL68xq9MOw/s1080/465802473_571863075529041_5121865690419966770_n.jpg
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https://www.instagram.com/mi.mi1520/p/DB92UDvybyJ/

Let Christmas be a holy day

PHOTO: Let Christmas be a holy day
As we go about taking back Christmas from the marketplace, we ourselves must be careful that we do not bring only the packaging back into church. Instead, we must hold fast the truth of Christmas: that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16), the indescribable gift in which eternal life is found (2 Corinthians 9:15). We must pray that the world's version of Christmas will not confused the minds and harden the hearts of those who need to hear the good news. Let us save Christmas from the marketplace so that the world might be saved.
Picture posted by Boomplay

Picture is enlarged by AI-powered image upscaler from depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/upscaler.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=button2&utm_campaign=ntf_upscaler&utm_content=en&iterable_campaign=2704095&iterable_template=3704971

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hlo5nTud5fBqowj9G7eo_MjF_e5aSqzxHnSYDL0CLopH9I-D-2Ykn7cyhZawa2U34FsDCpUsm-fRljCUEQZ_xkPUsphxVW_evG4qxzkYyabbO6dHjACnDcHJidaUdVMf3Z23g4_tBGCVIvT0LSmkzcHagVLTHaxm0aQZwYzXZHVN0n6SHxvWQ64dHLU/s928/842365205b55488fb28d6ed5d0fe82f6H3000W3000_464_464-928x928.jpg
https://source.boomplaymusic.com/group10/M00/11/11/842365205b55488fb28d6ed5d0fe82f6H3000W3000_464_464.jpg
https://www.boomplay.com/songs/188924212

PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that the Christmas holiday become our holy day again. May we hold fast the truth of Christmas: that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, the indescribable gift in which eternal life is found.

We pray that the world's version of Christmas will not confused the minds and harden the hearts of those who need to hear the good news.

May we save Christmas from the marketplace so that the world might be saved.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen."

Picture posted by Anna Andersen
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnebWQ7QuHzQSCQnPFGsv3JKQWwspIyca3yEfVvTQHezgmqjx0NNU3fUY8tsAPcT0G7-7zex6JIOgoXxVLD8SM56e11AX62w6duqy73QmVvBF_5YeDMsl0R2vSWNUMvE231g5IkzTZ9Qth0S9XrYWQu3NPyFwdyBqx9qaBmQKkhC2w1eFJBrSL9NWbH74/s1024/7fec60aa8b9cd038724e97033faf4e69.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/7f/ec/60/7fec60aa8b9cd038724e97033faf4e69.jpg
https://kr.pinterest.com/pin/43558321390609488/

Reflection - In The World - Saving Christmas . . . From The Marketplace
Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 41, "Saving Christmas . . . From The Marketplace", Page 215.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html

"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html

"Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Making All Things New, Chapter 1 - 28 (Links), posted on Saturday, 04 August 2024

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/08/reflection-making-all-things-new.html

Reference
[1] From "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon, Chapter 41, "Saving Christmas . . . From The Marketplace", Page 215.

Links
Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

2 Corinthians 9:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%209%3A15&version=NIV

John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A16&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV