DEAR EDITOR:
So, Bill Paterson (Dispatch, Dec. 19) is unaware of any major
contradiction between the generous exchange of merchandise and
the
”
true spirit
”
of Christianity.
DEAR EDITOR:
So, Bill Paterson (Dispatch, Dec. 19) is unaware of any major contradiction between the generous exchange of merchandise and the “true spirit” of Christianity.
He seems to be totally unaware that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, “the Son of God” and “the Son of Man.” This birthing event is the second most important event in the history of mankind.
The most important event is the bodily resurrection of Christ, celebrated each Easter.
Paterson writes “the word Christmas has the word “Christ” in it, but words have a way of evolving and expanding with the passage of time”. This is known as Verbicide – killing the true meaning of a word. A good example of this is the word “gay.” Once this word meant “light hearted” – a pleasant experience such as a “gay time.” Now it means “homosexual.”
The virgin birth through Mary has most people (especially the intellectuals) stumped. To understand this birth, you must go back to the Book of John in the New Testament. John I: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” And that is how and why Mary got pregnant.
That birth is not too difficult a feat if you can comprehend a far greater miracle in the Beginning (Genesis) when billions and trillions of hydrogen and helium atoms were gathered together and combined in assorted ways by electrostatic and gravitational forces to create this earth of ours – this earth being the one and only heavenly body, out of millions, able to support life – ultimately the life of Jesus – celebrated on Christmas day. You doubt this? Just ask any astronomer.
That babe that the Virgin Mary delivered in the manger “was Life and that Life was the light of men, a light that shown in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it”.
That this great miracle of Jesus’ birth should get sidetracked by gift shopping, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus, a snowman, or jingle bells reflects upon our society. Somehow, we have lost the true meaning of Christmas and Bill Paterson’s column illustrates this point.
There was a time, not long ago, when it was popular and chic to write “X-mas” instead of “Christmas.” Somehow, public opinion squelched the habit and we are back with Christ in Christmas.
Let’s also de-emphasize shopping, gift-giving, reindeer, snowmen and jingle bells and put Christ into our Christmas spirit. It’s a win, win situation.
Hey, Bill, do you agree?
J.G. MCCORMACK, GILROY
Submitted Monday, Dec. 30
