This
Christmas is one of the Christian celebrations that is always
celebrated every year which falls on December 25. The meaning of
Christmas itself was first used in Portuguese, which means birthday.
However, some places celebrate Christmas not only on December 25, the
Orthodox church celebrates Christmas which falls on January 6. Christmas
itself is often referred to as the birth of a Savior, who will save us
from misery and from the death of our sins. Before Christmas falls on
December 25, the previous Christmas is celebrated on January 6. However,
many are protesting the issue of the day of the fall of Christmas.
On
January 6 in Europe, the day is commemorated as the day of worship of
the sun god. Pope Liberius replaced the new anniversary Christmas in
about 325-354, which made Christmas December 25th. The more people who
warn Christmas to be December 25th, the more Christmas is celebrated on
December 25th. Then, December 25 was made the official date of Christmas
around the world. Further explanation of the history of Christmas why
it was made the date of December 25 as follows.
First Christmas Day Inaugurated December 25
Almost
all Christians recognize December 25, the date is also not only
introduced by Christians. However, people of other religions are also
very aware of this December 25th because it is familiar to everyone to
hear. The day of Jesus' birth is never actually stated in the Bible,
because the Bible never explains the day of Jesus' birth. Just tell how
the Savior was born into the world. The Christmas celebration originally
began according to Christians in the 4th century AD. This commemoration
is still holding community ceremonies by means of idol worship. Because
this is known in the 1st century AD-4 AD the world was still ruled by
the Romans who were addicted to polysticism. Almost all Roman people
were Catholic, but they could not leave their customs and culture.
Moreover,
there is a Sunday party celebration which means Sun is the sun, and Day
is the day. If we combine it into a solar day. Sunday is the
anniversary of the Sun God which falls on December 25. Therefore, so
that Christianity and Catholicism could be accepted by the Roman
community, a religious combination was held. It means that religious
unity is a combination of their cultural customs, and is united with the
birthday of the Savior. So the coalition in 325 inaugurated December 25
on the birthday of the Lord Jesus or Christmas. In the first week of
December, Sunday is celebrated or often called the day of the sun god.
And that day, is now being renamed as the Sabbath that falls on
Saturday. Then, those two memorial days are now commemorations in
various Worlds.
The Meaning of Christmas for Christians
Christmas
is good news for your family. Because the son of the Father who was
born and came down in the world to save his people. Christmas is an
invitation from the Father for us to meet our Savior. We usually give
thanks because Christmas has arrived, because the world will be saved by
the Lord Jesus. Then for those of us who are Christians, what is the
meaning of Christmas in our lives? Does Christmas have a special meaning
among you? This is the meaning of Christmas for us and other religious
people.
Christmas Is Fellowship With God
It is
on this Christmas day that our fellowship with God begins. The Lord
Jesus depicts the vine as the vine, and us as the branches of the vine.
People who grow their souls in God are people who are faithful in
following the path with the Father, and give up their whole life with
the Father. Growing in God means we always live in the truth of His
teachings (1 John 2:3-7). In this Christmas, God also tells us to
develop our faith, so that we can carry out the duties and mandates that
God has commanded us.
Christmas Brings Great Joy
Many
people often say that Christmas brings a sense of joy that is truly
abundant in our lives. His joy that gives peace to our lives, because of
the coming of Christ who gives peace to our lives. Christmas is a
moment of change in our lives that are not good for the better than
before. The more we receive the joy of Christmas in our lives, the more
our lives will be happy and peaceful in the protection of Jesus.
Christmas Makes Us Grow
Growing
does not mean we are getting bigger, but growing in our spiritual and
faith strength. God wants us to grow more and more, and be able to
spread the truth about Jesus more and more. Our growing spirituality
will make us more and more sure of the truth of the Father's Kingdom.
The more we grow in Christ, the more we will be called by the Father to
be the Father's faithful messengers. Because growing can also be done by
way of sure change, and devote his whole life to only one God, namely
Jesus Christ.
Christmas Is The Proof Of Father's Love
The
celebration of Christmas moments also proves that the Father really
loves us, Christmas which means sending his only child to save us from
sin. His only son who was willing to die for us, and atone for our sins
that we have committed in this world. Christmas provides salvation and
eternal for our lives, the Father himself gives evidence of His love so
that we never leave him and always remember him.
Christmas Brings Abundant Life
The
salvation that the Father gives us also becomes our more abundant life.
A life that is always full of salvation from the Father, also our lives
will be blessed by our lives throughout our lives. In Philippians 4:7
If our hearts and minds are always controlled by the holy spirit, our
lives will also be more abundant and peaceful. This peace will always
plant in your heart and mind for the rest of your life.
Christmas Brings Salvation
The
moment of Christmas really has a lot of meaning. One of the meanings of
Christmas for us is to gain salvation. It means to get salvation, that
in fact the Messiah has been born and we will have a King of kings who
has been sent by the Father. Jesus will also save us from the torments
in this world, by the way we will follow all the teachings that he gave.
Obtaining salvation for us is very important, because salvation is only
obtained by those who are faithful followers of Christ.
Church Worship Events Before Christmas
At
the time of Christmas, usually the church will do a lot of different
moments of worship. Christmas worship is not only done in one day and
one time. Even before the moment of Christmas worship will start,
usually the event before Christmas will also be held a Christmas worship
event. Here are the events before and after Christmas.
Christmas Worship Night
The
Christmas Eve service which is usually celebrated by Christians and
Catholics falls on December 24. Usually this event is more solemn and
this Christmas Eve worship service is usually held for 3 events. Usually
the afternoon event starts at 4 pm, 7 pm, and 9 pm. This is indeed
adjusted to the evening service because, to welcome the coming of Jesus
who will come tomorrow. Christmas Eve worship usually at this event can
be said to be the most lively event, because worship is full and worship
is usually more crowded than other public Sunday services.
I Christmas Worship Birth Event
At
the birth of the Christmas service, it is usually welcomed because
Jesus has come. Usually the worship service to welcome the birth of the
Lord Jesus is carried out as usual during normal hours like worship on
Sundays in general. However, the service was more lively with an
attractive welcome and appearances from church servants welcoming the
day Jesus had come into the world. This service is usually held on
December 25, and is carried out according to the shift part of the
church worship. In the morning worship service is divided into 3 parts,
at 6 am and at 8 am, also at 10 am. In the afternoon worship, there is
usually only one worship service at 6 pm.
Christmas Worship II Birth Event
In
addition to the event held on Christmas Eve worship and welcoming
service on December 25. Usually the church will also hold a Christmas II
service, this worship is done so that we get closer to God. This
worship which is usually carried out by the church is usually only
divided into 3 divisions of the hours of the event. In the morning, 2
divisions of the morning hours are made. Then proceed to worship in the
afternoon.
Christmas Church Worship Tradition
Christmas
is always celebrated by Christians and Catholics, but even though they
both celebrate Christmas. However, they have different worship events.
In Catholicism, usually it has the same worship schedule as
Christianity. Catholic celebrations are quieter and quieter, and always
carry out their worship with the sound of a gong from the church.
Usually at the second Christmas service, the Pastor will make offerings
for us to eat, usually in the form of bread and usually the only people
who can eat it are people who are true Catholics and have been baptized.
Well,
if for Christians the Christmas service is very different for
Catholics, the worship is very lively and crowded. Worship in Christians
usually tends to shout more praises to the Lord Jesus. Then, each of
whom has a miracle from the Lord Jesus, usually he will tell it in an
ongoing worship service. This is often used by Christians, usually so
that other Christians realize that God never leaves us.
Christmas Worship Traditions at Home
If
we have read the worship above about church services that have been
carried out by Christians and Catholics. Usually they will also hold
events at home, together with their families. Moreover, according to
them, Christians think that it is very important to worship in addition
to being at church, also at home. Usually, Christmas worship at home is a
bit different when we worship at church (Also read: Christian Brief
Devotional). At Christmas worship at home, the same worship is carried
out in the church, but at the time of preaching the gospel it will
usually be represented by one of the family members.
At the end
of the family worship usually give a merry Christmas one by one to
everyone. Then say Christmas wishes in our lives that we will carry out
to continue Christmas next year. Usually there will be a closing
ceremony with the last event, namely dinner, with the first being a
prayer with thanksgiving. After that, usually they will eat together
among their respective families and while chatting and joking with each
other.
General Singing for Christmas Worship
Christmas
is also famous for its distinctive singing and almost everyone also
knows the Christmas song besides Christians and Catholics. So what
Christmas carols do you know that are usually sung at your Christmas
worship. Here are the kinds of Christmas songs that are known by various
people.
Holy Night
This holy night song is often sung
during Christmas Eve worship services. This song is indeed heard in a
quiet and sad tone. This holy night song has been memorized by all
members of the Christian and Catholic congregations. So this holy night
song is quite popular and is widely known by many people.
Heaven's Gita Resounds
The
song Gita Heaven echoes, usually this song is always there on Christmas
Eve and also on Christmas I and also Christmas II events. The song Gita
Heaven echoes is often used at events leading up to Christmas. For this
reason, this song is often heard by many people, even if we watch shows
on tv, we will often hear this song.
We Wish You Merry Christmas
Well,
you must have heard this song often, right? This song will usually be
played at our Christmas worship, which is nearing closing and is almost
finished. Not only Christians and Catholics who know this song. In fact,
we often see other people often singing this song. This song is also
often played at all Christmas celebrations. It's no wonder why the song
We Wish You Merry Christmas is very well known and popular among the
public.
Christmas Symbols We Often See
Christmas
also often has many images in our lives, therefore often Christmas also
has its own symbols. So that these Christmas symbols have special
meaning for our lives. Then what are the symbols of Christmas that are
very meaningful in our lives? The following are examples of Christmas
symbols that have significant meaning.
1. Church
The
church is a symbol for Christians and Catholics as a place of worship
where we meet our Father and savior Jesus Christ. The usual place to do
this worship, is also very identical at the time of Christmas. At the
Christmas service held at this church, there are usually quite a lot of
events and are filled with many people who want to worship. Usually
churches that are often filled with places of worship and well-known
churches will be included in the news and guarded by some security. So
that the worship performed by the people in worship can be wiser.
2. Christmas Tree
Christmas
trees are also often synonymous for us to celebrate our Christmas
worship to make it more beautiful and wise. The first Christmas tree
began to be made and decorated by the German state. The installation of a
Christmas tree was used with spruce trees by the German state. This
began in the 16th century when the installation of Christmas trees using
spruce trees began. However, after the times, there are many replicas
of Christmas trees that we usually find in big malls. Indonesia does
have a lot of cypress trees, but if there is excessive logging it will
cause flooding. Finally, as time went on and technology progressed, an
exact replica of the pine tree was made. Usually the Christmas tree is
decorated with lots of lights, so that the tree looks more alive and lit
at Christmas worship events. Christmas tree will give a bright color
for our Christmas celebration.
3. Christmas Candles
Christmas
besides completing worship in the church, usually in the celebration of
the church's Christmas worship he also gives candles for each of his
people. Because in the middle of the service a holy night is usually
held, by lighting small candles that have been distributed by church
servants. And it will be lit through the Pastor by following the
ministers of the church who will distribute the fire to the church
people. Candlelight celebrations are usually held on holy nights, and
the church service lights are turned off and only candles light up
around us. This is done using candles, so that Christmas worship is more
interesting and wiser for us to enjoy in our dealings with God.
4. Santa Claus
When
you think about Christmas, you must often ask for a wish that you write
on paper, then you put the paper under your Christmas tree. Then there
will imagine the prize will come tomorrow. Moreover, Santa Claus is
often coveted by children, even though Santa Claus never actually
exists. This is only made in the film, so that the Christmas moment
becomes more interesting and feels beautiful. However, if we look on the
street or at the mall during Christmas celebrations. Lots of people
imitate themselves like Santa Claus, usually he will distribute small
gifts to visitors or also give candy.
5. Exchange Gifts
Gift
exchange events are also usually often done by your family or friends,
when the Christmas moment is in progress. This gift exchange will
usually tie the kinship of our relationship to become even closer around
the people around you. Usually, each will buy a gift with a
predetermined nominal target. Then, usually gifts will be given gift
numbers and each will take a lottery according to the number he gets.
Usually at the event it is very exciting, they will joke and laugh
together. Then usually they will take photos with the gifts they get.
After
reading a little explanation about Christmas, so what do you get from
this article? Is Christmas the moment you really look forward to with
your family? If Christmas is a moment you are waiting for, then what is
the meaning of Christmas for your own life? If the meaning of Christmas
for your life is the same as this article, so that this Christmas moment
can make your family happy. Then what is the tradition of Christmas
worship that you do in your church and also what you do at home? Is your
Christmas tradition the same as this article? Then what Christmas
symbol describes for your life?