Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 12 月【日本樂散步】聖誕節在日本,是大節日?!Why?

【日本樂散步】聖誕節在日本,是大節日?!Why?

 

Chion

 

聖誕節是日本人的大節日,是非常受重視的!為什麼會這樣呢?日本不是基督教國家,為什麼會大事慶祝聖誕節呢?

日本慶祝的聖誕與所熟悉的基督教的聖誕節沒有一點關係,也不是公眾假期,但人人都會慶祝一番,這裡給大家說說他們是怎樣慶祝的。

才剛到十一月,滿街的超級市場、蛋糕店及百貨店都推出美味草苺蛋糕的宣傳,又紅又白,非常吸引。日本的平安夜,每家每戶都會吃草苺蛋糕,這習慣對我來說是個謎,但日本友人從小就有這個習慣,現在連香港也如此。有個傳聞,明治時期的某年十二月,製菓公司「明治屋」為了商業目的將外國人的聖誕引入日本,由那時開始人人都會訂水果蛋糕過節。紅紅的草苺加上雪白的奶油忌廉,就好像聖誕老人的紅鼻子添在冬天的白雪上。紅白草苺蛋糕變成了聖誕最應節食品。

年輕的一代,無論是在聖誕派對中、家庭聚餐或情侶蠋光晚餐,一定會到肯德基外賣雞套餐,使炸雞也變成指定節日食品。這是 70 年代肯德基快餐的生意手法,用炸雞代替外國人的聖誕火雞,在聖誕節熱賣,配搭的香濱酒、紅酒也不能少。當然,有錢的會到酒店吃自助餐或聖誕大餐。

香港燦爛熱鬧的聖誕燈飾是世界第一;加拿大則溫㿦安靜,盡顯燈光襯白雪的美;而在日本,是各色其式,各大型主題公園、川河旁及主要商業設施,都有著現代技術打造,並充滿藝術創意、色彩絢爛的燈飾,看得你心花怒放。居民都會相約去遊賞慶祝,更有大量遊客為看燈飾遠道而來,浸溫泉賞燈飾更是最受歡迎的節目之一。這裡的聖誕比回家鄉過年還重視!

日本的聖誕節非常熱鬧,到處都是聖誕老人、聖誕樹的裝飾。購買禮物、搶購食物的人群,在各店絡繹不絕,本為慶祝耶穌基督降生的聖誕節為日本經濟帶來強勁的消費力,但全都是沒有主角的慶祝會。而聖誕卡也是「Season Greeting」的 祝賀,連「Merry Christmas」也變成「Merry Xʻmas」。

如果你問日本人,知道聖誕是慶祝什麼的嗎?他們會說,慶祝聖誕老人生日 (老實說,這答案使我很震驚);還有的說是外國人一家團聚的日子,收禮物的日子,吃大餐的日子,12 月 24 日是拍拖浪漫還有求緍的好日子等等。當告訴他們,聖誕節是記念 2015 年前主耶穌降世的日子。約翰福音1:14 「道成了肉身、住在我們中間、充充滿滿地有恩典有真理 。」祂的降生改變了歷史。時代也由祂的降生開始,引用公元年。聖誕是施予的節日,耶穌為愛人類而由天上來到人間。他們有些人會困惑地回應,為什麼他們不認識的耶穌的降出生會帶來如此盛大的世界性慶祝,並祂能成為歷史最偉大的人?

我也很困惑,在這通訊發逹的二十一世紀,他們竟不知道耶穌是誰,而大事慶祝聖誕,期待平安夜的約會。每次想到都會很心痛,為他們對聖誕的無知,膚淺地過節,失了美好的福份,而傷心。真正的聖誕節是帶有著個應許的——路加福音1章14節「你必歡喜快樂;有許多人因主耶穌出世,也必喜樂。」

如果你已是基督徒,請和我一起為日本祈禱,讓更多的人認識主耶穌,能過一個有意義真正的聖誕。

如你還未認識耶穌基督,我也為你感謝神,最少你在看真理報,比日本人 95% 以上的人有福氣, 知道誰是耶穌,加拿大的聖誕是為記念祂的。你更有機會接觸福音,更有機會知道主耶穌的誕生是為著拯救人的靈魂,幫助我們與神重建愛的關係,讓人在這多災多難的世代,仍然可以活得豐盛且有盼望,能得永生。約翰福音3章16節,「神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信他的,不致滅亡,反得永生。」

祝 大家聖誕大蒙福!

 

      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

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