Merry
Christmas!
Christmas
celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. With this baby born in a
manger "14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth (John 1)".
When
Christians read the Bible I suggest reading both the Old and the New Testament.
I have to admit it is sometimes challenging to read the Jewish part (or Old
Testament). But as the New Testament is based on it, it is essential and
beneficial to understand the background of our faith.
The
last books of the Old Testament are called the 'Books of the Prophets' and
divided into Major (starting with Isaiah) and Minor Prophets (starting with
Hosea). The distinction of the prophets is purely based on the length or size
of their books; it has nothing to do with the importance of their prophecies. A
prophet, according to the Christian faith, is "inspired by God through the
Holy Spirit to deliver a message".
The
most famous of the Major Prophets is the Prophet, Isaiah. He introduces himself
in his own book: “1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son
of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of
Judah Isaiah 1". According to these dates Isaiah worked around the 740s BC
until 681 BC.
The
Lord complained through the prophet Isaiah
“2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
In
his book, Isaiah made several references to the birth of the Messiah, a savior
or liberator of a group of people. Isaiah’s most famous quote is “14 Therefore
the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (or Emmanuel (meaning: God with us).” Indeed
his prophecy came true some 700 years later.
When
reading the Old Testament and New Testament together (!) we can learn that the
birth of the savior Jesus Christ was not an accident but foretold several hundred
years ago!
Living in a dominantly Buddhist and Taoist Taiwan it is understandable that many Taiwanese do not understand the deeper meaning of Christmas. When asking them about the Holy Night many would answer "The birth of Santa Claus." Which is, of course not exactly right.
 |
Teaching
and Encouraging Homeless and Low-Income
Families in Taiwan
|
Shocking is that in Taiwan there actually are many churches, some have over 2.000 members; some are around 50 years old! But how they leaders lead, what they teach and how they celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ on this Holy Night puzzles me especially on this 'most beautiful time' of the year.
I will use Blogger to share and teach the words of the Bible. As a Christian it is important to read and understand the words and teachings of the Lord so that we will be recognized as His daughters and sons one day when we leave this world.
If interested please let me know your thoughts and opinions...
May everyone be blessed,
Gerhard
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