牧者心聲

對於零售消費市場與旅遊業，每年的聖誕節期都是重要的營收時刻。各種卡通人物與聖誕裝飾、璀璨的燈飾與悅耳的樂曲，充斥著商業區與旅遊熱點。人們忙於消費、拍照，「真正的聖誕精神」（True Christmas Spirit）也時常成為裝飾的宣傳主題。然而，這就是真正的聖誕精神嗎？

耶穌基督降生世上，在地上生活 30 多年，與平民百姓為伍，親眼目睹人間的不公不義、疾病、貧困與死亡。祂沒有以神蹟消除一切苦難，而是選擇親自承受苦難。祂哭過、痛過，也經歷過背叛與死亡。祂的降生，是要讓人認識那位慈愛又公義的上帝。祂讓我們知道，上帝不是冷漠的旁觀者，而是深深參與在人類破碎歷史中的救主。

一個月前，大埔火災使整個城市陷入沉痛之中，也迫使我們再次直面生命的脆弱與滲透各處的惡。面對哀傷的鄰舍，「聖誕快樂」看來是一個難以出口的祝福。可是，正是在這樣的悲傷裡，聖誕的信息才顯得格外真實——因為耶穌基督並非抽離在天上的神，而是與哀哭的人同哭的主。當年，在羅馬帝國的頒令下，馬利亞與約瑟上到伯利恆，耶穌便誕生在簡陋的馬廄內。多年之後，祂在本丟彼拉多手下被釘於十字架，向受創的世界宣告：神仍與我們同在。

耶穌的降生，並未讓世人從此免於苦難，但卻使祂的同在與信實在苦難中越見明顯。這世界就像病入膏肓的病人，醫治的過程漫長而艱辛，甚至看似毫無希望。然而，那偉大的醫者——我們的主——必定成就醫治的大工。祂不只醫治個人的創傷，更要在最終的審判中徹底除去罪惡與死亡，使一切受造之物得以更新。耶穌基督的福音，正是要引領因信稱義的人走上成聖與更新的道路。

聖誕的福音提醒我們，最真實的盼望，不在於制度或經濟，而在於那位已經來臨、並應許再來的主。復活再臨的主必將賜下新天新地，那時，神要親自與人同住，世人要作祂的子民，那裡不再有眼淚，不再有死亡（啟二十一 3-4），也不再有黑暗。

所以，無論你身處順境或苦難，願我們都知道，這城市的燈火雖會黯淡和熄滅，但那在伯利恆夜空中閃耀的真光，必照進敞開的心靈，引領人進入神的同在。這，才是聖誕節最深的意義——不在於免於黑暗，而是在黑暗中看見光，並因那光得著新的生命。 

讓我們以基督耶穌的心為心，見證福音。以馬內利，聖誕快樂！

  For the retail and tourism industries, the Christmas season each year is a crucial time for revenue. Cartoon characters and Christmas decorations, dazzling lights and delightful music fill commercial districts and tourist hotspots. People are busy shopping and taking photos, and “the true Christmas spirit” often becomes a promotional slogan. Yet, is this truly the Christmas spirit?

  Jesus Christ came into the world and lived on earth for more than thirty years, dwelling among ordinary people and witnessing firsthand injustice, illness, poverty, and death in humanity. He did not eliminate all suffering by miracles. Instead, he chose to bear suffering Himself. He wept, went through pain, and experienced betrayal and death. His coming to the world was to let man know God who is both loving and just. He shows us that God is not a detached observer, but a Savior deeply involved in humanity’s history of brokenness.

  A month ago, the Tai Po fire plunged the entire city into grief and once again forced us to squarely face the fragility of life and the pervasive presence of evil. When faced with grieving neighbors, “Merry Christmas” can feel like a blessing difficult to utter. Yet, it is precisely in such sorrow that the message of Christmas becomes especially real—because Jesus Christ is not a God distant in heaven, but the Lord who weeps with those who weep. Under a decree of the Roman Empire, Mary and Joseph went up to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born in a humble manger. Years later, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, proclaiming to a wounded world: God is still with us.

  The birth of Jesus did not spare the world from suffering, but it made His presence and faithfulness all the more evident in the midst of suffering. This world is like a terminally ill patient. The process of healing is long and painful, and at times seems hopeless. Yet, the Great Physician—our Lord—will surely accomplish the work of healing. He heals not only individual wounds, but will ultimately, at the final judgment, completely remove sin and death, renewing all creation. The gospel of Jesus Christ leads those who are justified by faith onto the path of sanctification and renewal.

  The gospel of Christmas reminds us that our truest hope does not lie in systems or the economy, but in the Lord who has already come and has promised to come again. The risen and returning Lord will bring about a new heaven and a new earth. God Himself will dwell with His people and they will be His people. There will be no more tears, no more death (Revelation 21:3–4), and no more darkness.

  Therefore, whether you are in good times or in suffering, may we all know that though the lights of this city may grow dim or be extinguished, the true Light that shone in the night sky over Bethlehem will surely shine into open hearts, leading people into God’s presence. This is the deepest meaning of Christmas—not the absence of darkness, but seeing the light in the darkness and receiving new life through that light.

  Let us have the same mindset as Christ Jesus and bear witness to the gospel. Immanuel. Merry Christmas!