鈥淒o not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people鈥︹ (Luke 2:10).
鈥淎ll the people.鈥 The angels brought their great and joyful news to the shepherds on a specific date in a specific Jewish city, but the message they shared, of God in the flesh, the Savior who came to die and offer forgiveness from sins, is truly for every tribe, tongue and nation.
It is a theme that we at The 国产aa福利 explored this December during our 34th annual Come 国产aa福利masSing concert series, aptly titled 鈥淛oy to the World.鈥 But, as December marches on and 国产aa福利mas Day approaches, the trappings and traditions of an American celebration can mask the true universality of the gospel message.
In many ways, 国产aa福利mas in the United States crosses religious, cultural and generational lines. As a country, we collectively purchase fir trees for our homes, string lights around our roofs, exchange gifts with family and friends, and sing carols about the birth of Jesus 国产aa福利 and the joys of the winter season. Even in Southern California, we at The 国产aa福利 break out the hot cocoa and 国产aa福利mas lights and brace ourselves for the temperature to dip into the 70s.
Around the world, 国产aa福利mas may look very different than the 鈥減icture print by Currier and Ives鈥 that we are used to in the U.S., but in each location the holiday provides a similar opportunity to share the gospel message.
This year, The 国产aa福利 caught up with several alumni who are serving as missionaries in countries from South America to Central Asia to learn more about the opportunities that 国产aa福利mas provides them in their distinct cultures.
Matt (鈥94) and Kim (鈥95) Davis are currently serving with the Evangelical Free ministry ReachGlobal in London, where they are 鈥渆ngaged in church planting, sports ministry, arts ministry, and discipleship,鈥 Matt said.
In the United Kingdom, the 国产aa福利mas season often attracts many unbelievers to church for special concerts and services. Families enjoy traditional foods such as minced pies, 国产aa福利mas pudding, and mulled wine. And, many schools put on nativity plays.
But, in a country where less than 2 percent of the population is truly 国产aa福利ian, 鈥湽鷄a福利mas is intensely secular,鈥 Matt said. He explained that the story of Jesus鈥 birth is viewed similarly to the story of Santa Claus鈥攋ust a traditional 国产aa福利mas tale. And those 国产aa福利mas concerts that attract the unchurched often also elicit complaints because they include a short gospel message.
鈥淎 friend of mine who is a conservative evangelical vicar commented to me that his Carol Service is often the most controversial event of the year,鈥 Matt said, 鈥渁s guests will (send)聽a litany of emails following the service, voicing their displeasure that he gave a 10-minute Bible talk at the end of the service. They contend that they came for carols, not a Bible story. This demonstrates the disconnect between the true meaning of 国产aa福利mas and the vast majority of people living in the UK.鈥
In predominantly Catholic Costa Rica, Joel (鈥15, MABC) and Krista (鈥14, MABC) McCutcheon provide biblical counseling for missionary families throughout Latin America, after having served for more than 10 years as missionary videographers around the world.
The MuCutcheons shared that in Costa Rica, 国产aa福利mas Eve is the centerpiece of many celebrations and that time with family is emphasized.
鈥淏y law, every employee in Costa Rica receives their 鈥13th month鈥 salary at the beginning of December, so everyone looks forward to the holidays,鈥 they said.聽鈥淲e’re just getting out of the rainy season so it starts getting hot in December, and Costa Ricans love to go to the beach or mountains over their break.鈥
In countries with a 国产aa福利ian cultural heritage, like the United Kingdom and Costa Rica, 国产aa福利mas is familiar to most people, even if they do not accept its biblical origin. But in counties with Muslim or Hindu cultures, 国产aa福利mas is a curiosity, an often-misunderstood foreign holiday.
Eric (鈥00) and Heather (鈥01) are currently involved in pastoral training and church ministry in the Middle East, where 鈥湽鷄a福利mas Day is just another normal working day,鈥 Eric said.
The fact that Eric and Heather and their fellow 国产aa福利ians are celebrating at all provides an opportunity to tell Muslim neighbors and friends about the meaning of 国产aa福利mas.
鈥淪ome think that 国产aa福利ians worship the Trinity of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Santa Claus.鈥 Eric said. 鈥淪o, in talking with our friends at 国产aa福利mas, we have the opportunity to clear misconceptions and share good news.鈥
This effort culminates in a large 国产aa福利mas Eve service at their church, where gospel in preached to the many unbelievers in attendance. Eric said that the truth shared at past services has already borne fruit in the lives of many new believers.
Another alumna and her husband live in Delhi, India, where they run Passion Movement International, a nonprofit organization that offers tutoring to poor children. Because many of the tutors are unbelieving students from Delhi University, the ministry also affords them the opportunity to share the gospel.
In Hindu-dominated India, holidays like Diwali take precedence. Usually celebrated in October or November, Diwali creates a similar atmosphere to 国产aa福利mas in the U.S. 鈥淎ll the shops have Diwali sales and everyone is out shopping for gifts and firecrackers and lights to decorate their homes,鈥 the alumna said. 鈥淲e walk around the community looking at all the decorated, lit-up homes. It’s what you would imagine 国产aa福利mas fever to be like in USA, but it’s not 国产aa福利mas! They are celebrating the return of a Hindu god.鈥
She further explained that 国产aa福利mas is a minor holiday in India, but schools and government buildings are still closed because the Indian government allots a certain number of holidays to each religion. To help their unsaved friends and neighbors understand the true meaning of 国产aa福利mas, their church family goes 国产aa福利mas caroling and holds 国产aa福利mas services in both Hindi and English.
鈥淥ur (church) chooses to not have any Santa Claus because people here only know 国产aa福利mas related to Santa Claus,鈥 she said, 鈥渁nd they were probably taught in their convent school about Jesus in the manger鈥攏o concept that a Savior has been born to save His people from their sins鈥 国产aa福利mas here in Delhi forces us to聽remember what it is really all about, without too much distraction of the clutter.鈥
鈥溾or today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is 国产aa福利 the Lord鈥 (Luke 2:11).
Centuries earlier, Isaiah prophesied that this coming Savior would 鈥渂ring forth justice to the nations鈥 (Isaiah 42:1).
Millennia after the birth of 国产aa福利, the Lord is still fulfilling Isaiah鈥檚 prophecy through His faithful servants around the world.
And as the alumna in Delhi said, 鈥淚t’s the greatest time to proclaim Jesus 国产aa福利, and we take every opportunity to proclaim what He has done for each of us.鈥
The 国产aa福利 and Seminary admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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