Christmas Spirit

Ottawa-trekearth

Christmas Spirit

It is late autumn and not even Winter in the Northern Hemisphere as of yet.

This will be a somewhat subjective and speculative written philosophical post, but I reason here in Metropolitan Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Christmas season begins sooner than when I was a child in Elementary School and when I attended Secondary School.

As I remember back in the 1980s and 1990s, the cultural and commercial Christmas season began in Canada at approximately December 1 and went until after January 1, when the next regular work and school days occurred.

Christmas lights, which I have always liked as far back as I can remember, along with Christmas art, as I appreciate the bright, brilliant colours, visual contrast and positive, hopeful message, appeared on the scene, approximately between December 1 and December 15. These lights stayed up until in many cases after January 1, when the next regular work and school days began.

The last few years I observe that from November 1 to November 15, Christmas lights are beginning to be displayed publicly.

Although the number of lights overall in this metropolitan area still increase in December.

I am not certain if the Canadian Christmas advertisements begin earlier than they did in the 1980s and 1990s, as that would take in-depth knowledge of advertising,  but I know that when November 1 arrives, so does Christmas as a commercial venture.

And it appears it begins culturally as well.

I discussed this issue with a local friend and he agrees that Christmas season is beginning earlier than in the 1980s and 1990s. He reasons it is mainly because of greater commercialism.

I think that commercialization is an aspect of the reason, and as well greater public saturation with the season through the media, but I wonder if greater spiritual hunger by many is a larger part of the reason.

Specifically in regard to public Christmas lights being displayed earlier and longer.

Even since the 1980s and 1990s this area of Canada, the rest of Canada and the Western World, in general has become even less Christian and more secular, based on cultural and societal attitudes. Perhaps with for example, less marriages, divorce and the decline of the family unit, there is more individual isolation than there was even just a few decades ago.

By celebrating Christmas longer, for some over two months, if from November 1 to past January 1, at the extreme, some persons locally and perhaps throughout the Western World are trying to for the most part sub-consciously create a spiritual connection with others in humanity which does not exist most of the time, most of the year.

The Christmas spirit.

The more society declines, the greater the spiritual need for some type of positive opposition to the decline.

On the positive side, it is good that such a Christmas spirit exists in a primarily secular Western World.

I certainly favour good will toward humanity over bad will toward humanity.

Christmas also has its Christian background, obviously celebrating the birth of Christ at this traditionally chosen season.

Christmas is a very good Christian celebration and witnessing opportunity.

On the negative side, it is sad that many persons sub-consciously have the desire and need to extend the Christmas season because perhaps in the other ten to eleven months, life is not significantly spiritual.

From a Biblical Christian perspective, a Christian is regenerated (John 3, Titus 3: 5-7).  There is a renewed spiritual connection to other persons, primarily to those in the Church, but also to those outside in witness, both in love, although in a fallen world this does not take place near perfectly.

More importantly there is a spiritual connection to the triune God of the New Testament based on the atoning and resurrection work of Christ applied to those God chooses and therefore believe. Regeneration takes place which is a powerful change in the human being via the Holy Spirit, which transforms one corrupt and in sin in opposition to God, to one pleasing to God and trusting in God. It is a new ‘vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature’ are framed in a human heart. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 167-172).

This is a divinely inspired spiritual life that is year round in comparison to seasonal Christmas spirit a type of Christian spirit.

Christmas spirit or a Christian spirit has its divine connection but can also be largely secular.

A New Testament model spiritual life is far superior to Christmas spirit. It has greater value.

MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.

Christmas Spirit relates to a recent article and post:

Escapism

Saint George

New Advent-Saint George

citations

Saint George (3rd century)

'Martyr, patron of England, suffered at or near Lydda, also known as Diospolis, in Palestine, probably before the time of Constantine. According to the very careful investigation of the whole question recently instituted by Father Delehaye, the Bollandist, in the light of modern sources of information, the above statement sums up all that can safely be affirmed about St. George, despite his early cultus and pre-eminent renown both in East and West (see Delehaye, "Saints Militaires", 1909, pp. 45-76). Earlier studies of the subject have generally been based upon an attempt to determine which of the various sets of legendary "Acts" was most likely to preserve traces of a primitive and authentic record.'

'The best known form of the legend of St. George and the Dragon is that made popular by the "Legenda Aurea", and translated into English by Caxton. According to this, a terrible dragon had ravaged all the country round a city of Libya, called Selena, making its lair in a marshy swamp. Its breath caused pestilence whenever it approached the town, so the people gave the monster two sheep every day to satisfy its hunger, but, when the sheep failed, a human victim was necessary and lots were drawn to determine the victim. On one occasion the lot fell to the king's little daughter. The king offered all his wealth to purchase a substitute, but the people had pledged themselves that no substitutes should be allowed, and so the maiden, dressed as a bride, was led to the marsh. There St. George chanced to ride by, and asked the maiden what she did, but she bade him leave her lest he also might perish. The good knight stayed, however, and, when the dragon appeared, St. George, making the sign of the cross, bravely attacked it and transfixed it with his lance. Then asking the maiden for her girdle (an incident in the story which may possibly have something to do with St. George's selection as patron of the Order of the Garter), he bound it round the neck of the monster, and thereupon the princess was able to lead it like a lamb. They then returned to the city, where St. George bade the people have no fear but only be baptized, after which he cut off the dragon's head and the townsfolk were all converted. The king would have given George half his kingdom, but the saint replied that he must ride on, bidding the king meanwhile take good care of God's churches, honour the clergy, and have pity on the poor. The earliest reference to any such episode in art is probably to be found in an old Roman tombstone at Conisborough in Yorkshire, considered to belong to the first half of the twelfth century. Here the princess is depicted as already in the dragon's clutches, while an abbot stands by and blesses the rescuer.'

KNIGHT, KEVIN (2009), Catholic Encylopedia, New Advent.

Saint George's cross, flag of England-Google Images

I can accept historically, according to academic sources, the existence of Saint George, while at the same time rejecting legends including a fictional, mythological dragon, as such stories are not religious history.

 

Downing Street, London-Google Images

Escapism

Danish winter-trekearth

A very cold winter like temperature and wind chill is here in the Lower Mainland already.

My Mom, that is basically deaf and cannot hear the television well is downstairs watching Hockey Night in Canada and I hear her state 'The Canucks scored'.

No Mom, that is the Leafs.

She confuses the royal blue with white Leafs with the royal blue with white and green, Canucks. When they are both on the road, just alternate the blue and white. It is also confusing for certain seniors and non-hockey fans, I suppose, that often the Leafs start the program and when the game ends the network immediately switches to the Canucks. As well since 2011 there is the Jets, version two, that wear royal blue with sky blue and white, alternating the blue and white for road games. To make matters worse the Jets have a red leaf on their uniform, contrasted by the Leafs blue one, but certainly enough to confuse a casual observer.

In Canada basically the three largest cities Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, especially the first two, dominate the national sports media and National Hockey League media and the four smaller hockey markets and other markets in other sports leagues, tend to be secondary on a national level.

Mom just yelled upstairs, 'The game is going into overtime and I don't see the twins (Sedins) playing tonight.

Me:

'Mom that is because you are watching Toronto, the Canucks are on next'.

Mom:

'No, it is the Canucks, oh, maybe you are right'.

Later

Mom:

'Vancouver is playing next!'

Escapism

I discussed the subject of 'Escapism' briefly in my 2003 British MPhil thesis, but although I will note and document it here, that is not the context of this 2013 post.

From Woods:

Escapism: Interestingly, Woods tried to categorize eastern religions as one group who did not deny God but attempted to escape suffering. Woods made two valid points in regard to Islam and Hinduism, but it must be noted that they are different in that Islam is a monotheist faith, Hinduism being polytheist. The fact that they have drastically different concepts of God alone means that they do not fit under the same religious umbrella. A concept that both faiths have in common is the denial of Christ’s work alone being essential for salvation, but these denials are true of all non-Christian philosophy.

For this post the Concise Oxford Dictionary will suffice where it states escapism is 'the tendency to seek distraction and relief from reality, especially in the arts or through fantasy.' Oxford (1995: 460).

I take a moderate and mixed philosophical position on escapism.

On the 'pro' side, I am in favour of escapism as I think it is at times a God-given, reasonable philosophical, practical approach to life. Work as in employment, academy study, domestic life and exercise can be physically and mentally tiring and escaping to the worlds of art, as is music, fine arts, film and television for example, or the world of sports, or video games can be relaxing and educational endeavors away from the more serious work of life.

On the 'con' side, escapism can become too frequent and intense and used as a way to avoid the challenges of life that may seem too daunting, or there is little obvious hope in overcoming certain difficulties.

This can lead to for example, one playing far too many video games instead of improving one's career or social life. It could lead one to watching all the National Football games on Sunday, at the expense of family and friends and not taking social opportunities to meet new people. Another example in the area of the arts, is to spend too much time watching films, or downloading MP3s instead of seeking to better one's career, family life and overall social life.

I would deduce with the busy lives of many in the Western World and the amounts of various types of work that there is often too much escapism in the West.

From a Christian perspective with New Testament commands and directives in regard to love of God and others, both in and outside of the church (John 15, Matthew 22, Mark 12) and the call for discipleship and mission (Matthew 28), it is reasonable that God does desire and command a very significant focus on the reality of life.

Not only various types of work, family and social life, but also a significant focus on ministry and mission.

Personally, I play far less video games than I did prior to leaving for England and eventually Wales to study. I use the internet and web for career, ministry and social means, but limit my use, as I do not blog on Facebook or Google+, for example, and am attempting to increase real life interactions.

I fully admit I am very much in process, but I am not trying to escape becoming something better and more useful within the Kingdom.

Concise Oxford Dictionary (1995), Oxford, Clarendon Press.

WOODS, B.W. (1974) Christians in Pain, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

English Bay-Caron Smed, Vancouver BC

John Murray (Brief PhD Edit)

Stefan Island-Montenegro

Holy Spirit and Regeneration

John Murray (1937-1966)(1977) explains that the Holy Spirit ‘summons men into union and fellowship with his Son so that, united to him in whom all spiritual blessings are treasured, they come to posses Christ and all that belongs to him in his capacity as Saviour and Redeemer.’[1] Regeneration[2] takes place which is a powerful change in the human being via the Holy Spirit,[3] which transforms one corrupt and in sin in opposition to God,[4] to one pleasing to God and trusting in God.  It is a new ‘vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature’ are framed in a human heart.[5]  

---

[1] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 167).

[2] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 171).

[3] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 171).

[4] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 168-169).  Soren Kierkegaard states that ‘sin is man’s destruction.’  Kierkegaard (1847-1848)(1955)(1966: 108). 

[5] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).

Additional November 21, 2013 

Matthew 19:28 English Standard Version (ESV) 

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Footnotes: Matthew 19:28 Greek in the regeneration 

Titus 3:5-7 English Standard Version (ESV) 

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Strong

paliggenesia: regeneration, renewal Original Word: παλιγγενεσία, ας, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paliggenesia Phonetic Spelling: (pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a new birth, regeneration Definition: a new birth, regeneration, renewal. 3824 paliggenesía (from 3825 /pálin, "again" and 1078 /génesis, "birth, beginning") – properly, the coming of new birth because "born again"; regeneration. 3824 /paliggenesía ("renewal, rebirth") is used twice in the NT referring to: a) the re-birth of physical creation at Christ's return (Advent), which inaugurates His millennial kingdom (Mt 19:28; cf. Ro 8:18-25); and b) the re-birth all believers experience at conversion (Tit 3:5).

KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1847-1848)(1955)(1966)  On Authority and Revelation, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Harper and Row, Publishers, Incorporated.

KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1848-1849)(1961)  Christian Discourses & The Lilies of the Field and The Birds of the Air & Three Discourses at The Communion on Fridays, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Oxford University Press.

MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2:  Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust. 

STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company. 

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