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00:00 Christmas is a special time of year, especially for Christians.
00:05 But it's not just a time of year,
00:07 there's a deeper meaning behind this occasion.
00:11 That's why this morning, we will talk to Pastor Edward Dugan
00:16 to find out the true meaning of Christmas
00:19 and how to make it a more meaningful year.
00:22 Good morning and Merry Christmas, Pastor Edward!
00:26 Good morning, Pastor!
00:28 Yes, hello!
00:30 A blessed day to all of us.
00:34 Merry Christmas to us in the studio
00:37 and to all the viewers of Christ and Shine Philippines.
00:41 Okay, Pastor, since we're talking about Christmas,
00:45 where does the word "Christmas" originate from
00:48 for our fellowmen?
00:52 Well, for all of us,
00:54 the word "Christmas" originates from the Spanish word "Pasco de Natividad"
01:00 or Easter of Nativity.
01:03 Easter is also called "Pasca".
01:08 "Pasca" is an Aramic word and the Hebrew word for "Passover".
01:12 It means celebration.
01:15 Celebration.
01:16 And of course, we all know that Nativity is the birth of Jesus Christ.
01:20 So, this is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
01:23 So, Christmas is a celebration
01:27 and a reminder of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
01:33 Okay, Pastor, why is Christmas important to Christians
01:37 and what is its significance in faith?
01:42 Well, it's very important as a Christian.
01:46 It's very important because when our Lord Jesus Christ was born,
01:52 He also gave us hope.
01:54 You know, we have no hope.
01:59 The Bible says that we all sinned,
02:02 that our salvation is death,
02:05 and that only the Lord can help us.
02:08 That's why it's very important that He was born
02:12 because our faith has a foundation.
02:16 It's not just a work of God,
02:18 it's not just a tradition or out of emotion.
02:22 Our Lord was truly born.
02:25 Okay, Pastor, many are asking if our Lord Jesus Christ was truly born
02:31 on December 25.
02:35 Was Jesus really born on December 25?
02:38 Probably not.
02:40 The Bible did not mention the exact birthday
02:46 of the birth of Jesus Christ.
02:48 In fact, if you read the book of Luke, chapters 2, 8-11,
02:53 you will see that the pastors celebrated the night.
02:59 According to scholars,
03:01 it means that it was very hot and not cold.
03:06 So how did we celebrate December 25?
03:13 During their time, there were other celebrations on December 25.
03:18 This is a Roman festival celebration or pagan festival.
03:27 And the believers wanted to replace it.
03:30 So they did it here on December 25.
03:35 That's why we celebrate it here and we were born on December 25.
03:41 But of course, we remember that our Lord was born every day.
03:47 I see, Pastor.
03:49 But how accurate is the story behind our beliefs
03:53 or what they call the nativity scene?
03:57 Yes, our nativity scene is true.
04:01 It really happened.
04:03 But if we're talking about accuracy,
04:06 the nativity scene that we show here
04:11 where the shepherds, the wise men, and the family of Jesus are together
04:17 is not accurate.
04:18 Because in the Bible, you will see that the encounter of the shepherds
04:26 with the Holy Family is different from the encounter of the wise men
04:31 with the family of Jesus.
04:33 In the book of Luke, the shepherds said,
04:38 "You will find a baby wrapped in a cloth lying in a manger."
04:42 So a baby in a manger.
04:48 In the Matthew 2, the wise men said,
04:53 "A house and a child."
04:56 So most probably, the encounter took place two years ago.
05:00 So we cannot separate it.
05:05 So we just put it together.
05:07 But the nativity scene is accurate.
05:10 Okay, Pastor, we know everything you said,
05:13 everything that happened in the presentation of Christmas.
05:18 But what are the teachings or messages
05:22 that we can take from the story of Christmas?
05:27 I just want to read John 3.16-18.
05:32 It says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
05:37 that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
05:41 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
05:44 but to save the world."
05:45 So it's simple.
05:46 The message of Christmas to me is first, loving.
05:49 This is about love.
05:52 Second, this is about giving.
05:54 God is the One who first loved and gave.
05:58 Third, this is also a message of faith,
06:02 believing, and saving.
06:05 So that's the message of Christmas to us.
06:08 Okay, Pastor, what are your tips for a more meaningful celebration of Christmas?
06:20 Our tips for a more meaningful celebration of Christmas
06:27 is to be clear that Christmas is not about us.
06:34 This is about Jesus Christ.
06:36 I have no problem with having gifts and gifts,
06:41 but we should be clear that this is about our Lord.
06:45 Because many of us are sad because we don't have gifts
06:48 or we didn't receive anything good.
06:50 So we should be clear that this is about our Lord.
06:53 And to make our celebration meaningful,
06:57 we should celebrate it like they did when they were born.
07:02 They received the child they gave birth to,
07:04 who is the Savior,
07:06 who is their faith,
07:08 and they came near Him.
07:09 So when we celebrate, make sure we come near God,
07:14 and not far away.
07:17 Okay, Pastor.
07:17 So that our Christmas will be meaningful.
07:20 Alright, Pastor.
07:21 We know that Filipinos are mostly Christians,
07:24 but we have different sects.
07:26 There are Catholics, there are Born Again, and there are other religions.
07:30 We have our own beliefs.
07:33 But how can we respect the difference in beliefs
07:38 regarding Christmas?
07:42 Yes, it is very important that before we reject,
07:47 we should know if it is right or wrong.
07:51 First, we should receive.
07:53 We should study it.
07:54 If it is right, we should accept it.
07:57 If we study it and we see that it is wrong,
08:01 we should reject it.
08:03 If we are not sure about the practices,
08:06 we should reserve it until we see if it is right,
08:10 if it is acceptable,
08:13 if it is worthy.
08:14 Is that what the Bible says?
08:15 Yes, it is very important.
08:17 Because that is what the Bible says about us.
08:20 So, we can receive, reject, and reserve.
08:24 Okay, one last question.
08:25 Pastor, what is your message to our countrymen this Christmas?
08:30 Yes, my message to all of us this Christmas,
08:33 this Christmas should be blessed and not stressful.
08:38 The Bible says in the book of Luke chapter 2, verses 8 to 20,
08:42 "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy
08:46 that will be for all the people."
08:50 So, again, Christmas should be blessed and not stressful.
08:55 This is good news for all of us
08:56 because our Savior was born.
08:59 Thank you.
09:01 Alright, KRSP members,
09:03 no matter how we choose to celebrate Christmas,
09:07 what is important is that we do not forget His true glory.
09:12 Thank you very much, Pastor Edward,
09:15 for spending time with us this morning.
09:17 And again, Merry Christmas.
09:20 Merry Christmas. Thank you.