Video: Love and renewal of life and hope are commonalities at Christmas for various religions

Luís Henrique Oliveira – from Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The celebration of Christmas is universal. Every year, although it has not been proven that Jesus was born on December 25, thousands of families get together to celebrate the date. But, for different religions, the festivities go far beyond the traditional form as it happens in Christianity. In Umbanda, for example, the life of Oxalá, the greatest of all the orixás, is celebrated.

In the religions of African origin, the form is completely different, but linked by something in common, the search for reflection, as explained by the father of saint Ronald de Odé, also known as “Gypsy”, in candomblé the orixás are celebrated. “The candomblecists have their supper with their families and after that they open their faith. The faith that is divided among all. We believe, but within candomblé, it is the orixá. They are the ones who make all the movement of our lives”, he said.

As for the father of saint Alberto Jorge, he reinforces the celebration of Christmas. “A good part of the Axé houses, especially in Umbanda, tambor de mina, which are more syncretic, it is a special celebration that celebrates peace, harmony, practically following the same dictates of Christianity. For us, it is a feast that happens in our day to day life inside our hearts. Because every time we open ourselves to love, to fraternity, this is what the celebration of Christmas and life is all about”, he said.

For Father Charles Cunha, Christmas is a time of renewal. “Christmas is time to receive strength for our days. 2021 was a challenge in many areas, in health, economy. I want to invite you to renew your hopes and in God, we have hope. I invite everyone to have a prayer with the family before the supper. To thank God, because despite the departure of loved ones, they were people who left a mark in our hearts. Whatever happens, He is with us”, he said.

History

The true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to earth to give us eternal salvation. By becoming a man, God showed that he cares for us in the smallest detail. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection would not have been possible if he had not been born as a man.

The story of Jesus’ birth is told in the Holy Bible in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. This was an important event because it marked the beginning of our salvation and fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies about the birth of the Savior of the world and his victory over Satan.

“The Bible has a Roman lunar calendar. We celebrate between September and October. We celebrate Tabernacles. The coming of the Messiah, the Messiah coming to die and rise again among us, which is Jesus, our savior. But in December, we also celebrate Hanukkah which is a Jewish festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, which is the festival of the dedication of the temple, which marks when the temple was destroyed by the Maccabees and the settlers and Jews got together to rescue the temple and it was exactly in December”, says Apostle Ester Amazonas, of the International Restoration Ministry.

In summary, Christmas is joy and communion, it is hope, it is having Jesus in your heart. Moreover, more than delicacies, family parties and gifts, this day only makes sense when we celebrate having Jesus Christ in our hearts as Lord and Savior.

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