A Time For Gratitude . . .
by Bob McDowell, Contributing Author: As we reach beyond the middle of December it seems incumbent that we should stop our wild preparations for ‘happy holidays’ and reflect back on an ‘incident’ that occurred more than 2,000 years ago that is the basis for the season.
Actually, historians and researchers have determined that it occurred during the months of July or August and 5 to 7 years before postulated in the ‘Gregorian’ calendar we use today. However that may be, it has been centuries that believers in CHRIST JESUS as the SON of GOD have seen fit to observe the 25th day of the 12th month as his birth. Various societies and branches of the ‘Christian’ faith begun have developed different ways for the observance with more or less solemnity or celebrations.
Unfortunately, we in the USA may have gone overboard for fartoo long in the exuberant celebration mode. Too many of us seem to lose sight of the true ‘reason for the season.’ Others, not of the Christian faith, are more than willing to also indulge in the celebration aspect while omitting the very reason for this Holy season.
Many of the Jewish faith, possibly because in my youth my Jewish friends, were patient while we recounted our ‘Christmas gifts.’ They also introduced us to the celebration of ‘Hanukkah’ or ‘Festival of the Lights, This, we learned later, was a celebration of an early incident when in the Temple there was not enough oil to last one day, but it lasted for seven days.
In recent decades, ‘black activist’ began the celebration of Kwanza. My aged memory is not clear on the whole purpose of this, or what it is supposed to be commemorating.
For us in the Christian Faith, this is the observance of the birth of THE SON OF GOD who lowered himself to human level by being born of a betrothed virgin woman. He grew up under the instruction of his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, but from the written word it appears he may have realized as a boy who he was. An example is the story where he stayed behind in the Temple without their knowledge. When they found and chastised Jesus, he replied "did you not know I would be in my Father’s house."
His earthly parents wwere somewhat poor. When Cesar decreed a census each family had to return to the original home town of the father to be personally recorded. When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no ‘room at the inn’ and it was time for delivery. Jesus was thus born in a stable.
The most important thing was that GOD was reaching out to mankind to restore the relationship of creation between man and GOD. Over the millennia since Adam, mankind had fallen away and become corrupt and evil which was most painful to HIM. HE thus gave his SON to restore the original relationship and show HIS love for all of us -- sinners.
The favorable result of this gift, if accepted by each of us, is the promise that upon the death of our earthly bodies, we will be with Christ in Paradise, according to scripture: Luke: 23; 43 (NIV). Thus, we who believe feel assured that we will leave these earthly, and sometimes painful, bodies behind and receive a new one to use forever with HIM and FATHER GOD.
May this GOD whom I believe, and try to serve, grant you a most Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, comfort, and prosperity now and for the rest of your time here.
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Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, Time For Gratitude, Christmas To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
Actually, historians and researchers have determined that it occurred during the months of July or August and 5 to 7 years before postulated in the ‘Gregorian’ calendar we use today. However that may be, it has been centuries that believers in CHRIST JESUS as the SON of GOD have seen fit to observe the 25th day of the 12th month as his birth. Various societies and branches of the ‘Christian’ faith begun have developed different ways for the observance with more or less solemnity or celebrations.
Unfortunately, we in the USA may have gone overboard for fartoo long in the exuberant celebration mode. Too many of us seem to lose sight of the true ‘reason for the season.’ Others, not of the Christian faith, are more than willing to also indulge in the celebration aspect while omitting the very reason for this Holy season.
Many of the Jewish faith, possibly because in my youth my Jewish friends, were patient while we recounted our ‘Christmas gifts.’ They also introduced us to the celebration of ‘Hanukkah’ or ‘Festival of the Lights, This, we learned later, was a celebration of an early incident when in the Temple there was not enough oil to last one day, but it lasted for seven days.
In recent decades, ‘black activist’ began the celebration of Kwanza. My aged memory is not clear on the whole purpose of this, or what it is supposed to be commemorating.
For us in the Christian Faith, this is the observance of the birth of THE SON OF GOD who lowered himself to human level by being born of a betrothed virgin woman. He grew up under the instruction of his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, but from the written word it appears he may have realized as a boy who he was. An example is the story where he stayed behind in the Temple without their knowledge. When they found and chastised Jesus, he replied "did you not know I would be in my Father’s house."
His earthly parents wwere somewhat poor. When Cesar decreed a census each family had to return to the original home town of the father to be personally recorded. When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no ‘room at the inn’ and it was time for delivery. Jesus was thus born in a stable.
The most important thing was that GOD was reaching out to mankind to restore the relationship of creation between man and GOD. Over the millennia since Adam, mankind had fallen away and become corrupt and evil which was most painful to HIM. HE thus gave his SON to restore the original relationship and show HIS love for all of us -- sinners.
The favorable result of this gift, if accepted by each of us, is the promise that upon the death of our earthly bodies, we will be with Christ in Paradise, according to scripture: Luke: 23; 43 (NIV). Thus, we who believe feel assured that we will leave these earthly, and sometimes painful, bodies behind and receive a new one to use forever with HIM and FATHER GOD.
May this GOD whom I believe, and try to serve, grant you a most Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, comfort, and prosperity now and for the rest of your time here.
---------------
Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, Time For Gratitude, Christmas To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
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