【特稿】聖誕沉思

 

Christmas 1看到街上張燈結彩,人群熙熙攘攘,採買送禮的滿天飛,便知道又到了聖誕節了。

這時候的基督教報章雜誌,照例不失時機地刊登出許多紀念耶穌誕辰的文章來。關於節日的由來,年年重來複去的,內容不外乎有兩大派的觀點。

一種堅持認為,十二月二十五號這一天並不是聖子的真正生日,甚至就連目前國際通用的紀元公歷法所計算的年代,都略有偏差,算是 "將錯就錯","以訛傳訛" 吧。這一點確實已經被過與不過這個節日的所有基督教徒們所公認了﹔況且如今此節業已極大的偏離了主旋律,滑向了商業化、世俗化的危險邊緣,原本聖潔、單純地紀念主的初衷幾乎完全喪失殆盡了﹐所以需要 "正名",不應該大事慶祝。

Christmas 2另一種則詮釋,當初基督教剛剛被羅馬皇帝康士坦丁立為 "國教" 不久,他出於 "護教" 之目的,故意用了這個原為拜太陽神之生日的異教風俗節期,改作慶賀基督聖嬰降世的日子,以此來沖淡、擠掉舊習對世人的不良影響,算是 "明知故錯","因勢利導" 吧。何況如今世風日下,一些人也僅僅是在這個時節才記起教會來,跑到教堂裡看看,沒準兒能被氛圍所吸引,聖靈所感動,就歸降基督了。所以慶祝之也沒有什麼不妥之處。

之所以產生這不同的看法,起因是在《聖經》中著實找不到這聖誕日的記載。按人之常情來說,如此重要的事情,神照理是應當默示給我們的,以便讓人有歡祝喜慶的依據,可偏偏就是沒有。或許上帝刻意隱去的吧,可能是因為耶穌到世界上來是作挽回祭的,祂的壯烈之死和其後的榮耀復活,才是"重點"、"重頭戲",較之生辰來似更具非凡意義。各福音書中一致詳盡地記錄了祂受難前後的細節以及確切的死期,似乎支持這一觀點。這自然留下的確據,使後來基督徒們在紀念 Good Friday 和 Easter 組成的復活節一事上,不曾有過分歧爭議。

由此可見,耶穌的華誕何日,並不恁地打緊,重要的是要曉得﹕祂曾經來過我們的地球,這就足夠了,然後循之去思考祂蒞臨的原委和用意。

毫無疑問,過生日是我們人類的習俗,放之四海而皆然。蓋因吾等被造的人類,壽命是有限的,"出生入死",有始有終。但造物之主卻是無限的,自有永有,創始成終,祂怎會像人一樣的去 "慶生" 呢﹖其實,神的兒子本來就是活著的,祂道成肉身來我們所在的世界走一遭,旨在擔戴全人類的罪愆,如沉默的羔羊被宰,釘死在十字架上,用其流出的寶血,成就天父對人類的浩大救恩。而三天之後的復活,四十日後的升天,這些神跡又一次地表明了,祂確確實實是天地萬物的主,而不是先知、聖賢、教主。

除了耶穌,古今中外,世間萬邦的任何 "偉人"、"教主",都在死亡面前 "一籌莫展",難逃魔爪毒鉤。這罪的工價是從始祖的根兒看,乃人咎由自取的〔創2﹕17〕,那不可逾越的終老大限,發人去深思永生之道。正如《舊約》所言﹕"人死的日子,勝過人生的日子。往遭喪的家去,強如往宴樂的家去﹔意味死是眾人的結局,活人也必將這事放在心上"〔傳7﹕1〕。由此亦不難窺出,死是 "重" 於生的。所以,我們紀念耶穌上十字架的死,意義超過為他 "過生日"。

當然,更關鍵的是能否 "死而復生",如果耶穌像常人那樣,"一死了之" 了,那信徒們便作 "鳥獸散" 了,也就不會有基督教和數不清的追隨者了。但是祂復活了,而人類歷史上惟有耶穌一 "人" 勝過了死亡的權勢,從而成為了普天下所有信祂之眾的美好盼望。祂將永生的靈命賜給信祂而重生的人,他們未來也必會死裡復活。只要今人悔改認罪,接受祂作自己的救主,就一定可以在末日 "劫後餘生",或從墳裡走出來,在空中與主相見,同在天國樂園,直到永永遠遠。

古時候最早期的基督徒們,在主後的三百多年間裡從沒有慶祝過耶穌的生日,大家只是守主日、過復活節。後來出現的這個以 "行政手段" 人為地設立的 "聖誕節",究竟在屬靈的裡程中起了多麼大的 "護教" 作用,很難說清楚的。在此也容我綴上一筆 "題外話"﹕其實上帝的教誨是 "法力無邊" 的,用不著什麼人來 "保駕護航",祂的靈自如地運行在宇宙人間,無處不在,攻無不克,戰無不勝。反過來,我們人倒是需要時時刻刻靠著神的道,來保守看護,不遇試探,脫離凶惡,避邪免災的。

今天我們靜下心來,瞧瞧眼前的這聖誕節的光景吧。從 Christ's Mass 縮成的 Christmas,已經變為了X-mas,後者也可作如是解釋﹕X 代表莫名其妙﹔M 代表錢財〔money〕﹔A 代表娛樂〔amusement〕﹔S 代表時節〔season〕,成了人們縱歡享受的好時機。到底還有多少人在這一天,真正的去思想主降臨的偉大意義﹖

再冷眼看看節後的第二天,那將有餘的禮物置於箱盒〔box〕裡分送給窮苦人家,以 "憐憫人的人有福了"〔太5﹕7〕之遺傳,〔這便是 Boxing Day 的由來〕,也都蛻變為起早貪黑,蜂擁擠進各大商場搶購便宜貨的 "瘋狂" "群眾運動" 了。而且這長假期,宴樂消費等 "擋不住的誘惑",弄得多元文化 "民主" 社會中的其他教徒們,亦有了微辭,發聲呼吁政府另辟些別的宗教教主的 "誕節",也作為公眾假日來慶祝,以示信仰 "自由" "平等"。甚至連不信教的國家也都興起來過聖誕節了,成了聚聚,大吃海喝,收送禮物,滑潤社會關係的又一 "藉口"。

這些怪現象,不能不讓人感到一種尷尬,不能不說是一種悲哀。在這虛華的熱鬧之背後,在這喧嘩的雜音之中,我們基督徒難道不應該深刻的檢討,好好的反思,我們為主做了什麼樣的見証,因而發奮 "從我做起,從現在做起",進行一番 "撥亂反正" 嗎﹖

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

Go to top