Author: Richard Francis Hogan, PhD(Princeton),MD (Johns Hopkins), PhD (Harvard), DBA (Alliance Manchester) Written: 11/14/2024 through 12/12/202024 Published: via Substack.com on 12/13/2024
True Meaning of Christmas (2/4)
In the midst of all upheaval, crisis, difficulty, problems, and fear, comes the true message of Christmas with all of its hope, goodwill, and cheer. The message of Christmas has been terribly misapplied and misunderstood for many years, some think of business profits, shopping, gifts, tinsel, toys, and celebration. Others think only of Bethlehem, of the star in the sky, shepherds in the field, and angels singing. Still others cynically ask, “Where is this Prince of Peace in a world filled with so much trouble?”
The real Christmas message goes far deeper, It heralds the entrance of God into human history. It is Heaven descending to earth, as though a trumpeter had taken his stand upon the turrets of time and announced to a despairing, hopeless, and frustrated world the coming of the Prince of Peace. It answers all the great questions that plague the human race at this hour, The Christmas message is relevant, revolutionary, and reassuring to us today. I believe it can be summed up in three words: a cradle, a cross, and a crown.
On that first Christmas night, the Bible tells us about the angel coming to those fearful shepherds and saying, “Fear not, I bring you good news” (Luke 2). This is the true meaning of Christmas—the Good News—that God sent His only Son to Earth to save people from their sins. Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream—it is a glorious reality.
In the quiet of that holy night, amidst the cold and the dark, a light shone bright, a beacon of hope, igniting every heart. The shepherds trembled, the wise men came, guided by a star so clear, to witness the birth of the Savior, the one to cast out fear.
The cradle held the promise, the cross bore the pain, The crown signifies the victory, the eternal reign. From the humble manger in Bethlehem to the rugged cross on Calvary, the story of Christmas unfolds, a divine tapestry.
It’s a tale of love and sacrifice, of redemption and grace, a reminder that in every trial, we can find a sacred place. For Christmas is not just a season, but a state of the soul, a time to reflect, to give, to heal, and to make whole.
So as we gather with loved ones, and share in festive cheer, let’s remember the true essence, the reason we hold dear. It’s not in the glitter or the gifts, but in the love we share, in the message of peace and hope, in the act of showing we care.
For in the midst of all upheaval, crisis, difficulty, problems, and fear, comes the true message of Christmas, with all of its hope, goodwill, and cheer.
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Interesting piece. I've looked and looked for a true Christmas story thank you