It's Just Christmas!

A friend of mine posted this on his Facebook wall a few days ago: "reasons why i hate december in general and christmas in particular: 1.) people are feigning to be good just because it's supposed to be all that time-of-giving bs. 2.) you spend to much money because of number one. 3.) all those lights, decors and whatnot are so cliche and fake."

Again, it's the time of year when the world of Christendom seems to slow down as its people savor & celebrate Christ's birth--a time of year when everything seems brighter, redder, & greener! It's Christmas time.

It's melancholic to conceive that what happens during this time of year annoys some, if not a lot of people just because all seem to change their color from black to white. The setting in of December seem to paint faces and behaviors with beaming colors that's almost incredible to believe. On the other side of the spectrum, there are new & more expensive decors in the market. Houses & buildings are adorned with new "Christmas" concepts that are hardly recognizable as related to Jesus' birth. People become so creative that they can shove Santa Claus into the toilet bowl, take a picture & call it a Christmas decor. New does not necessarily mean meaningful. In most cases, new means weird and non-sense--often taking the connotation away from what the season is all about.

Almost a year ago I wrote a piece about people taking down their good attitudes together with their physical Christmas ornamentations after the celebration. I want to revisit that article and hope that I, in my own little way, be an instrument of reminding you about what this season is all about.

Here's part of that article:

The Christmas season seemed to have become an excuse for not being deleterious. It has become a habit to think that once a year we become extra kind, helpful, & generous, and that we can only “allow” ourselves “some happiness” during Christmas time. What makes Christmas a time to place our misbehaviors on hold? What sets it apart from any other occasion throughout the year? What’s Christmas all about?

Over 2000 years ago, a child was born of Mary and Joseph. This child and event was seen & prophesied by a prophet named Isaiah long before it happened. It was declared by an angel (Gabriel) that this child will be called Jesus, and that he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. His birth was a manifestation of God’s love: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Isaiah declared: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: …
“… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).

This is the lifeblood of Christmas. We all know the story, but sometimes the purpose of which becomes trifling.

The “reason for the season”, as the saying goes, is Christ. It is the time of year when Christians celebrate his birth. He is the personification of all uprightness & the source of goodness & love in the world. He has taught: “Love one another, as I have loved you…” (John 13: 34-35). “Whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him, as well.” When the woman taken in adultery was set before Jesus and the Pharisees ought to have her stoned, he reminded: “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). It was He who also taught in parables.

Who has not become acquainted with Parables such as the “Good Samaritan” & the “Prodigal Son”? When it was time for him to be taken in by Roman soldiers, preparatory to his crucifixion, he restored a soldier’s ear which was severed by one of his followers, in his defense. Such act of mercy was culminated on the cross when he said: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). His ministry and life were replete with acts of kindness & forgiveness: “If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him”.

In the great Plan of Happiness, we must be saved from our sins. The perfect and sinless offering for sin was none other than Christ. He is the Son of God and the only Begotten of the Father, in the flesh. There was none other who could have possibly taken our sins upon him and suffered the way Jesus did. There had to be an atonement made.

Amulek, a prophet of the new world has spoken about this: “And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

“For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made” (Book of Mormon, Alma 34: 8-9).

Christmas should remind us of the mission and role of Jesus Christ in our lives. It is set apart from all other events & celebrations because it is by him and through him that we are saved and can receive eternal life.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ has underscored the significance of his role when he said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

For us who believe and follow Christ, Christmas should just be another ordinary day in being the kind of people we ought to be. When he visited the Americas, Christ taught that we ought to be like him: “Therefore, what manner of men [& women] ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 27:27).

What then is the substance of being nice, forgiving, more loving, more kind, & more generous during Christmas season when these attributes should become natural to us and should be demonstrated at all times, in whatever season of the year. The adorning of the Christmas tree, and the setting up of lights and other Christmas decors had become symbolic of our behaviors in life, in that we always take them down after the holiday. We tend to go back being unforgiving, unkind, impatient, irritable, selfish, hateful, & miserable. The good things that adorn in the Christmas season are taken down together with the material ornamentations we set up for the celebration.

A modern prophet, Howard Hunter once said: “When we take Christ into our lives as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force, the real Christmas comes”. When we accept Christ and His teachings, and when we repent of our sins, we are baptized into His fold. That is the time when we start adorning ourselves with His (Christlike) attributes. We become living trees with ornaments such as humility, charity & love, obedience & diligence, faith and hope. These become a part of us and do not need to be taken down or suspended for another year. We grow into living examples of the Savior.

It's just sad to note that for some people, they start their change process on December as preparatory for an alleged New Year's resolution. This explains the somewhat superficial shift of behaviors. They do it because they expect something "good" in return. Blame it to the song "Santa Clause is Coming to Town". The naughty become nice just so they get a gift from Santa this Christmas. The change is brought about for the wrong reason, that's why come January, they all go back to being "naughty".

Well, these are just my thoughts. I hope that in a way, I turned your thoughts toward the real reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!

"CRASH" and Learn

"It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something.” - Graham

“Crash”—you should see it.

Themed around differences in color of people, the film brings out a profound lesson about love & hate. All along I thought that these two words, love and hate, were opposites—until I heard Brad Wilcox, at one time, quote Elie Wiesel about how they’re not. “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.”

Rick & Jean walks out of a café to a street in L.A. Two black youngsters (Anthony & Peter) mob them and steal their car. Prior, one of the mobsters noticed Jean steered clear from them (because of "blind fear") as if they didn’t exist. It wasn’t until towards the end of the movie that she became conscious of the existence of good among “colored people.” That type of indifference from Jean set off the mobsters to initiate their ploy.

Officer Ryan, who seemed to be weary of black people, who used to work with his father, harasses a couple (Cameron & Christine) caught making out in their car. Cameron was obviously frightened at the fact that two white policemen came to look into them. It was an outrage when Officer Ryan started to put his hands on Christine's body & discreetly molested her. Cameron just stood and pleaded in distress.

A Persian man (Farhad) with his daughter (Dorri) buys a gun for the purpose, perhaps, to guard their own store. People around them think they were Arabs. He’s apprehensive about people and sensitive to believe that he and his family are detested in their community. He hires a locksmith (Daniel) to fix his door lock. He was told to fix his door instead as there was nothing wrong with the lock. He was so narrow-minded that he refused to pay the man. Later his store got mugged and he blamed Daniel for the unfortunate incident. The insurance company’s rejection to cover for the damages furthered his resentment that he went to look for Daniel with the intention to kill.

These are but instances in the movie that demonstrated bigotry. People are either afraid or are upset with differences that they begin to hate or become indifferent towards other people. Sometimes it’s got nothing to do with color. We sometimes become intolerant of someone who talks a lot or someone who’s fat or too skinny. We become annoyed with people, whom we think interferes with our personal relationships, which causes derailing of our usual life’s pattern. When we see a person slightly different from how we look like, we become oblivious of that person’s activities. We become indifferent.

I do not excuse myself from such deed. When I was younger I only befriended nice looking people. I did not feel comfortable or too willing to be nice with people who looked unattractive. That was bad.

When I saw this movie, every thought and act I have had in my life relating to indifference and hate came flashing through my mind. I’ve seen films about racism and intolerance, but not as thought-provoking as this one. I’ve had my share of lessons that taught me to love unconditionally, and watching the prospects of people doing good deeds to previously abhorred persons give me a sense of appreciation.

My favorite part in the movie was when Officer Ryan who discreetly molested Christine saved her from being burned from a car accident. When Christine recognized him she refused his assistance with all her energy. “Is there anybody else who can help? Anyone, not you, get your hands off me.” That’s understandable. But it took this incident to help Christine realize that a first impression should not always last—that a bad act does not tell a whole lot about a person. Officer Ryan who did, perhaps, the most disrespectful and despicable deed to her was the one who saved her life. He almost lost her, but with all of his strength he made amends so she can have a 2^nd chance on life.

Jean, who despised people of color— people, whom she thinks less superior than her, slipped and fell on the stairs. Her good friend for 10 years denied helping her because she was getting a massage. Nonetheless, she was brought to the hospital by her Hispanic house helper, Maria. She took care of her during recovery. When she saw and felt the genuine concern of Maria, she held her tight showing her appreciation and perhaps apology for not being too nice most often than not.

Farhad who went to look for Daniel, the locksmith, found enlightenment, instead. He found Daniel and started to point his gun towards him & struggled with him. Daniel’s daughter, Larah, believing that she was handed down an invisible cloak of protection, ran towards his dad. By the time she ran up to his dad, the trigger was pulled and she was hit. Farhad was dumbfounded to find the kid unharmed. He felt terribly bad for shooting a little girl. He went home amazed and had his mind and heart opened. He began to change and look at things differently. Little does he know that Dorri bought blanks for his gun at the store earlier in the story.

Why do we have to wait until we get hurt to show our love for people? Why do we hurt the ones we love? Why do we have to be so indifferent to people who do not look the way we do, or think or act the same way as we do. Why do we treat those different from us as “little people?”

The movie taught me to look at all people the same way. No matter how bad a person can be, there is an innate goodness that comes out when needed. Things happen, whether bad or good, to open our eyes and see more clearly all sides of people, regardless of color or circumstance.

We do not need to wait for bad things to happen in order for us to appreciate the goodness of people. We have been too preoccupied with ourselves, being at ease in our comfort zones that we become insensitive of others. We become too busy looking at our way, mending our own issues that other people’s problems become overly insignificant.

We are not alone in this world. Sometimes we get to be taught the lesson of becoming aware of what’s happening around us. People make up our lives. We are interrelated, weaved into one tapestry. The colors make this tapestry beautiful. The more we appreciate the colors, the more we become tolerant and loving.

We do not need to “CRASH” into people to make us realize the worth of living in goodwill towards each other. However, sometimes, it has to happen. We need to be taught a lesson, in one way or another.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Special thanks to RC who convinced me to watch a list of really good movies. "Crash" is one of them.

Used to be... Not Anymore!

Perhaps it was timely that the message at church this morning was about repentance. Of course this topic is applicable at any point in time, but the scriptures quoted were classic and beautiful—of which I want to write about today. First I would like to share 3 stories:

1. Paul used to be a persecutor of Christians. He hated the followers of Jesus. He wanted to see them all locked up in prison. On his way to Damascus, the Lord appeared to him. His life from then onwards was never the same again. He used to be a persecutor, but not anymore!

2. A woman was brought before Jesus in the temple. The Pharisees caught her in the act of adultery. They were condemning her for what she did. The Law of Moses says to stone her. They ask what Jesus would say. He stood up and said, “All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” When the woman’s accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

If the woman went and sinned no more, then she could say to the world, “I used to be an adulterer, but not anymore!”

3. A young son obtained his portion of the family estate as an early inheritance. Once received, the son immediately took off. He went away to a distant land and began to waste his fortune on wild living. When the money ran out, a sever famine hit the country and the son finds himself in terrible circumstances. He took a job feeding pigs. He was so destitute that he even longed to eat the food assigned to the pigs.

The young man finally came to his senses, remembering his father. In humility, he recognized his foolishness, and decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and mercy. The Prodigal Son was repentant. His father, who had been watching and waiting, received his son back with open arms of compassion. Perhaps the son cried to his father, “I used to be bad, but not anymore!”
Some of us may find ourselves in either of the circumstance described in the stories above. Or, we may even relate to all, although not in the same degree. The essence of the stories is the amazing power of repentance and forgiveness—that it is true and real that a person can change.

Our life is but made up of a variety of actions. These actions may either make or break us. Even a guided life may turn out to be prodigal in one way or the other.

I turn to the story of an old violin. It was battered and scarred, yet found itself in an auction. The auctioneer thought it a waste of time, but still asked those who would want to bid on the old violin. "Who'll start bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar - now who’ll make it two -Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three.”

No one made a bid. Who would want to bid on a seemingly worthless, useless musical instrument?
Then from the back of the room, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow. He wiped the dust from the old violin & tightened the strings. Then, he began to play a pure and sweet melody.

When the music ceased, the auctioneer began to start the bidding from a thousand dollars. Still, no one made their bid. Some people cheered, but some of them cried. They didn’t understand what changed its worth. It was because of the touch of the Master’s hand. I now quote from the poem:

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice -He's going - and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.

But changing to become a better person or a man of God, may not last until another persuasion comes. What then, can make one firmly say, “Used to be, not anymore!”

Once our lives and hearts are touched by the Savior’s love, we become humbled and begin to not “look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” We feel to love the Savior back which drives us to avoid sin. We cannot say “not anymore!” and stay firm at that, until we let the Lord touch our hearts and fix our lives.

I end with these words of Nephi—an ancient American prophet. I love this part of the book of Nephi. Truly this is probably the most beautiful psalm I ever read. [2 Nephi 4:16-35]

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Even if we think we are walking in the path of right, at some point we get tempted to go astray, relax, and get curious about things—or even go back to who and what we used to be. Sometimes I tend to believe that to be typical—that the happenings in life can be repeated and will just turn into a cycle. But the words of God are supposed to bring permanence in one’s resolve to change.

When King Benjamin preached the word of God to the people, “they all cried with once voice, saying : Yeah, we believe all the words of which thou hast spoken unto us; and also we know of their surety and truth, because the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which was wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil , but to do good continually.”

“To do good continually”, to say “not anymore” requires more than human effort. Once we hear the Word, and live accordingly, and once the Spirit touches our heart, we are then converted into a being incapable of becoming a prodigal—a being whose choices are in tuned with the will of God. To reach this ultimately, the Lord gives us reminders in almost every place we go, and in every action we do. Disobedience or wrongdoing blurs our vision and sensitivity to the influence of God. We need to be vigilant as the adversary doubles or even triples his effort to lead us away from righteousness and bring us to misery.

I’m working to grasp that point where I can say that a “mighty change” had been shaped in my heart, so that the Lord can work in making me “shake at the appearance of sin”. I want to be able to say that “I used to be, but not anymore!”