This year, I have decided to do something different.
I went without internet for the Christmas Day :) (It is a very special thing for an internet/Facebook/email addict like me... haha!) I remember a couple of months ago, I read this article about taking a Sabbath on the internet. After thinking about it for some time, I have decided to do it on Christmas Day.
I just took a rest, watched some TV (what? watch TV?? I seldom really sit down and watch TV, usually I surf the net while the TV is on...) and read BOOKS!! haha! I really love reading, but now most of the stuff I read is from the internet browser... :P or ebook reader...
As a result, I had a lot of catching up to do today, so many emails/ news/messages from Facebook/Google Reader/Plurk/Fan Forums...
Read a lot of Christmas related posts today from the blogs I'm following. I have been telling different people to separate consumerism from Festival Celebrations. (Not just Christmas actually... it's such an unhealthy thing to do for ourselves and the earth itself. I know it's hard to resist, because of the various sales promotion... I bought something in Christmas as well...)
Some people suggested we should separate Christ from Christmas. (Don't get crazy when you read this sentence, I think their logic is pretty sound.)
John Stackhouse: Happy Holidays will do nicely
安於沒有聖誕的聖誕節
And some thinks we should rethink Christmas. It's not a celebration of the birthday of baby Jesus. I agree.
Once Again: Christmas is NOT Jesus’ Birthday
In case you miss the point in the article above, here's a quote from the article itself.
"The theological and spiritual dangers of trivializing and sentimentalizing the incarnation—and Jesus—are far greater than any supposed benefits of further including children and making them feel part of the celebration."
What is Christmas for you? Whether you are a Christian or not, I think it's sad if it's merely a shopping season for you. If you are not a Christian, it should be a time for being with family and friends, showing your love, instead of just about shopping for Christmas gifts.
紀念日 (A non-Christian related Christmas post)
聖誕節送大禮
I didn't even go Christmas carolling this year, many people asked me why. I'm beginning to wonder, whether Christians really go Christmas carolling to spread the good news (even if I disregard the fact that good news is very much distorted these days...), or if they go because of the need to feel the festivities without feeling guilty about it (by celebrating in some non-Christian ways)??
And for me (like some others), Christmas is not as peaceful as it is often portrayed. With so many disasters (human and non-human), Christmas represents Jesus' coming into this world, and our hope for God's intervention in the world, His justice and will on earth as it is in heaven.
不安夜
《十月圍城》
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