It made me realise that the only thing I happen to know about Christmas that is related to my religion is that Jesus was born on this day (which is debatable in itself). After getting rejected from a bunch of places, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger. (Awaaay in a mangerrr no crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus layyy down his sweet head) Then a giant Southern Star somewhat shone brightly above Jesus' stable and then faithful Shepherds arrived with gifts and love.
Is that where the spirit of giving came from?
i reckon the spirit of giving really hit off when christmas became commercialised and stores started going SALE!! etc and christmas became advertised as a season to give presents.
cause the spirit of giving to Christianity had a different meaning back in the day, where giving meant giving to the poor. and it was giving what was ours to the poor, not store purchased products. it was sharing more than giving. sharing our fortunes with the less fortunate, as opposed to giving to make others feel the season's festivities. and through this generosity, God will reward us.
BUT i think the bible also says we can't give for the sake of reward, we can't give so that we can boast and we can't give simply because everyone else is giving. or something. which i find very complicating. it is basically expecting us to be perfect and pure in our thoughts, to go against human nature and simply pour our hearts out to everyone in reckless abandon. lol i know i should be backing this with the exact words from the Bible, but i know i wont be able to find it in the masssive book.
i just did a quick google search.
Matthew 6:1-4 'Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.'
Lol i remember being taught that in primary school because i was imagining men in the streets running around screaming that they just finished praying.
So many people take the Bible literally, which my personal, ungrounded, unjustified and uneducated opinion thinks is stupid. if man see me give and i dont mind does that deem my action INVALID? is God crossing off that deed on the list? how secret do i have to be? 'hey hobo, meet me at point cook at 3am EXACTLY, make sure no one's following you.' *pulls hat lower over face, smokes cigar and pulls trench collar up* lol sorry.
my underlying point is, i think it is sufficient to extract the essence of these passages, as opposed to following them like a handbook. it isnt some pass-go-collect-$200 kind of thing. you're not collecting stamps or ticking of any checklist. you're just guided on how to understand the way justice is served in the eye of God. if that makes sense.
Santa originated from St Nicholas, who was a saint (oh really uyen?) who went around giving to the poor. his message was to give to the less fortunate. of course, the revised and popular version 'Santa' gives to good children. because only kids have the time to be good ;)
lol this was meant to serve a purpose but i got distracted and its now 6:25. i wrote this 6 hours ago hahahaa then i went off to wrap some presents and piss myself off and eat etc. i dont remember what i wanted to tell you.
but now i do. i cant be bothered explaining it, but in a nutshell, nah cbf. lol
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! May you enjoy the festivities and revel in the gifts and the given. Celebrate your faith, celebrate your family, your friends, your joys and your love. Be charitable, be happy and pretend you're basking in snow (aussie aussie aussie).
And hbd baby Jesus.
Santa originated from St Nicholas, who was a saint (oh really uyen?) who went around giving to the poor. his message was to give to the less fortunate. of course, the revised and popular version 'Santa' gives to good children. because only kids have the time to be good ;)
lol this was meant to serve a purpose but i got distracted and its now 6:25. i wrote this 6 hours ago hahahaa then i went off to wrap some presents and piss myself off and eat etc. i dont remember what i wanted to tell you.
but now i do. i cant be bothered explaining it, but in a nutshell, nah cbf. lol
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! May you enjoy the festivities and revel in the gifts and the given. Celebrate your faith, celebrate your family, your friends, your joys and your love. Be charitable, be happy and pretend you're basking in snow (aussie aussie aussie).
And hbd baby Jesus.
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