"For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth." -- Revelation 11:9-10
It's the time of year when crowds gather in shopping malls across the country to shop until they drop. Decorations and lights are hung inside and out with great skill. Every effort is made to celebrate and show one another the true holiday spirit. Having fun and giving to others is absolutely basic to Christmas... the season when people are merry and exchange presents.
In light of that I have always found this passage to be quite a curiosity. In the same way we see people rejoicing over the death of God's prophets by giving to others. Apparently holiday celebration can occur for most any reason. I believe this begs the question: do people really understand the true meaning of Christmas and as a result give of themselves to others? Or does the season just provide an opportunity to be merry and exchange presents?
The spirit of giving is not intrinsic to Christmas alone. People celebrate and give at the drop of a hat. But when we reflect on the good news of Christmas, we celebrate the birth of a Savior who came to redeem the souls of lost people. We can exchange presents anytime for any reason, but at Christmas we ought to give of ourselves in love, because "while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8) God loved us from a manger to the cross.
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