There is a fair amount of grumbling each year about Christmas being "stolen" by crass commercialism, and I do admit to being disheartened at times by our societal drift away from the "reason for the season." For a time clergy were cynical about the C & E Christians (Christmas and Easter), those who just showed up for the high holy days. Now grizzled pulpit veterans are almost nostalgic for those days. A growing number of Canadians don't see much point in going to church in these seasons when Christian faith has faded into the background of their lives. Fair enough. Why just go through the motions.
It's interesting that Belairdirect has given people the opportunity to "connect the dots" between Christ's birth and his forgiving love, although I'm confident that this wasn't their intention. Through holidayforgiveness.com folk could submit a message of forgiveness which would be posted on electronic billboards. It seems there was a very strong response and as you can see, the messages have been displayed to the world -- well, at least Toronto.
I have to say, they got it right, whatever they're motivation. "The reason for the season" is not just the wonder of birth. It is the power of forgiving love and the new life in Christ. As we look to the manger we always "survey the wondrous cross" and Easter.
Thoughts?
One could write a book on the power of forgiving love (Oh, wait, several folk have done that! )and the positive effects it has on the forgiver, as well as the forgive (more so on the forgiver...) Every year as we celebrate Christ's birth, I have to keep asking, "Please be born in me again..."
ReplyDeleteummm, that 2nd one should be "forgiven"
ReplyDelete