Bakit nga ba ipinagdiriwang ang Pasko?

PTVPhilippines

12/25/2023

Transcript

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.

Bakit nga ba ipinagdiriwang ang Pasko?

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