FINDING ANSWERS
It’s now Christmas Eve and most people, whether Christians or non-Christians, can be so immersed in celebrating the most joyous time of the year when abundance of love and generosity binds humanity.
At the heart of the worldwide celebration lies the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, a momentous event that signifies God’s immense love for mankind.
The Holy Bible says it clearly: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)." In such joyful message of eternal life lies the most awesome and most significant news of all time!
Beyond the festive atmosphere and gift-giving, Christmas invites Christians to reflect deeply on their faith and how it manifests in their daily lives. This call to action resonates with the profound message found in James 2:26: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead."
Indeed, faith is a cornerstone of the Christmas story. Mary’s acceptance of God’s will, Joseph’s obedience to divine guidance, and the shepherds' and Magi’s journey to honor the newborn Savior all show profound acts of faith in God. These actions demonstrate that faith is not merely a passive belief but an active response to God’s call.
The birth of Christ also serves as a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness. After centuries of waiting for the Messiah, the arrival of Jesus to be our Savior fulfilled the prophecies, affirming that God keeps His promises. Such fulfillment should encourage Christians to also have faith in God’s plans.
While faith is central to the Christian life, the Bible makes it clear that genuine faith ought to be inseparable from action.
The nativity story highlights the interplay of faith and action. The shepherds did not merely marvel at the angel’s message; they acted by going to Bethlehem to see the Christ child. Similarly, the Magi did not only believe in the significance of the star but journeyed a great distance to worship and present gifts to Jesus. Indeed, faith inspires action, and action validates faith.
Christmas time, with its themes of love, kindness, and generosity, provides a perfect opportunity for the faithful to embody the Gospel—of doing good deeds that are expressions of a living faith that seeks to emulate the love and compassion of Christ.
The season is not just about personal celebration but about extending to others the joy and hope of the birth of Christ. From gift-giving and sharing food with the needy to comforting the lonely, every act of kindness reflects the spirit of Christmas and aligns with the call of the Gospel to integrate faith and good works.
The Christmas message in John 3:16 speaks of God’s love and eternal life. But how exactly can one have eternal life? Jesus himself gave the answer: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
On these two greatest commandments, therefore, lie the key to salvation. To truly love God and our neighbor as ourselves, we need to utilize our time, talent, and treasure to serve others especially as we perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
As I’ve often said, to truly love is to truly serve. Loving without serving means nothing as they need to go hand in hand. Otherwise, love would be meaningless. And the best way to serve is through the corporal works of mercy – Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead.
And there are also the spiritual works of mercy – Admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, pray for the living and the dead.
The Gospel teaching on "faith without good works is dead" challenges us to ensure that our faith is evident in our actions. Everyday could be Christmas if we celebrate the love and hope brought by Christ through acts of generosity, kindness, and compassion for others, embodying the true spirit of Christmas and the living faith it represents. Merry Christmas to everyone! ([email protected])