The warrior side of Christmas
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The speaker reflects on the true meaning of Christmas, which is the coming of Christ into the world to undo the works of the devil. This includes not only the obvious manifestations of evil, but also injustice, oppression, lies, and manipulation. The speaker denounces the decision to kill the Dream Act and believes that Christ came to establish grace and mercy in the world. The speaker urges the rulers of this world to exercise compassion towards the poor, weak, and needy. Overall, the speaker emphasizes that Christmas has a conflicting side and a dimension of war, but also a promise of redemption and hope for humanity.
The speaker discusses the true meaning of Christmas and how Christ came to undo the works of the devil in the world. He emphasizes the need for individuals to examine themselves and surrender their negative traits to God in order to become more like Christ. He also stresses the importance of grace, love, and mercy in the church, and the danger of religion devoid of these qualities. The speaker encourages individuals to pursue holiness not to please God, but to celebrate His goodness and do good works that supplant the works of the devil. Overall, the message is a call to introspection and action to undo the works of the devil in oneself and in the world.
At Christmas, Jesus came to take away the coherence of evil in the world and show its bankruptcy. When we participate in good works and show love towards others, we too are undoing the works of the devil. We must purify ourselves and use the weapons of light, defeating evil with love, grace, and mercy. We should be a congregation of grace, love, acceptance, kindness, and forgiveness, undoing the works of evil wherever they are. Let us remember the giving spirit of Jesus and continue his work of goodness.
The speaker discusses the true meaning of Christmas and how Christ came to undo the works of the devil in the world. He emphasizes the need for individuals to examine themselves and surrender their negative traits to God in order to become more like Christ. He also stresses the importance of grace, love, and mercy in the church, and the danger of religion devoid of these qualities. The speaker encourages individuals to pursue holiness not to please God, but to celebrate His goodness and do good works that supplant the works of the devil. Overall, the message is a call to introspection and action to undo the works of the devil in oneself and in the world.
At Christmas, Jesus came to take away the coherence of evil in the world and show its bankruptcy. When we participate in good works and show love towards others, we too are undoing the works of the devil. We must purify ourselves and use the weapons of light, defeating evil with love, grace, and mercy. We should be a congregation of grace, love, acceptance, kindness, and forgiveness, undoing the works of evil wherever they are. Let us remember the giving spirit of Jesus and continue his work of goodness.
I want to invite you to go with me to the word of the Lord in the first Epistle of the Apostle John, Chapter 3, verse 8. It is a somewhat enigmatic expression and some would say that it is inappropriate for a reading on Christmas day at this beautiful moment. in that we are celebrating the light, the joy and the gladness that Christ brings to the world. We speak of peace that Christ brings. We talk about a silent night, we talk about a humble baby born in a manger. And we have to remember that the essence of Christmas is Christ, the coming of Christ into the world. After all that, that's the summary of Christmas.
Although at this time society in its desire to be inclusive and pluralistic in this culture that we live in where there are so many different races and religions and denominations, they try to make Christmas generic. And it has been tried, perhaps not on purpose, but in many places one almost feels ashamed to say, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the politically correct thing is to say, happy holidays. Something generic that encompasses the whole world, but in reality this time, the only way it has meaning is when we remember that at this time Jesus Christ was born into the world.
Although at this time society in its desire to be inclusive and pluralistic in this culture that we live in where there are so many different races and religions and denominations, they try to make Christmas generic. And it has been tried, perhaps not on purpose, but in many places one almost feels ashamed to say, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the politically correct thing is to say, happy holidays. Something generic that encompasses the whole world, but in reality this time, the only way it has meaning is when we remember that at this time Jesus Christ was born into the world.
