Blogging Through The Season - Day 3

BLOGGING THROUGH THE ADVENT SEASON
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

DAY 3 - Jacob and the Christmas Get-together Amoy Bailey
For many of us, Christmas symbolizes a time of celebration, togetherness, reflection, and transformation. Both the stories of Jacob and Jesus’s birth are similar in the ways of transformation, as each narration shows that people have difficult life moments that they go through; however, their starting point did not determine their destinations.
Christmas is full of symbolism such as light, redemption, and new beginnings. The brilliant star, for example, with its radiant glow, which led the wise men to Baby Jesus, was the beginning of the fulfillment of an age-old prophecy: “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17). Likewise, Jacob’s journey is punctuated by signposts that signify hope and positive transformation (Shilling, 2023). Such common themes touch on the meaning or spirit of Christmas. Both stories highlight that, amidst the most challenging times, there is hope that tomorrow will be a better day and a fresh start. Christmas shows that we have another opportunity to do well through the coming of Christ. The concept of hope and redemption implies forgiveness, freedom from previous mistakes, and an opportunity for transformation.

In Jacob's story from the Bible, a standout example of transformation is when he wrestled with God (Genesis 32: 22-32). This strong experience was crucial for Jacob’s change. It depicted him undergoing an interior transformation in the shared covenant of destiny between him and the Angel of the Lord. Additionally, it reveals that, just like Christmas, everyone can transform from a bad life to a better one, even when one has erred. Second chances and moving away from one’s past are strongly represented in both narratives.
The story of Christmas also sends a message of love and forgiveness. Christmas is more than offering gifts; it also involves embracing and forgiving oneself and others. In Jacob's family, he had some ups and downs. For example, when he had a conflict with his brother Esau, they were separated for a while, but later in the story (Genesis 33), they made peace and became close again. This shows that even in tough family situations, there is a chance for things to get better. Just like in the story of Christmas and Jacob, our family bonds should get stronger as we spend quality time with our loved ones. It is a special time when people sit together with their families, have lunch or even dinner, and shower each other with presents. This brings out a unique aspect of Christmas, which is the "get-together," making the emphasis on spending quality time in the company of those we hold dear.
Finally, as we celebrate this holiday, let’s look beyond the narrow reasons for celebrating in our world today. Let us instead seek to go back to the basics of Christmas: mending broken relationships. Like Jacob, who returned to his homeland after a period of separation from his family, especially his brother Esau (Genesis 32:22-32 & Genesis 33:1-17). This return was a crucial moment of reconciliation and starting anew. The anticipation and anxiety surrounding this homecoming reflect a sense of hope for a renewed relationship with Jacob's family. In a way, it's a symbol of leaving behind past conflicts and moving towards a new chapter in his life. Togetherness is crucial. More importantly, let us not forget the “Christ” in Christmas, for He is the reason we celebrate, and it should be reflected in every aspect of our daily lives.