聖誕蒙恩

作者：張立德

2014-12-20 09:54

下星期四就是聖誕節了。在臉書，公司飯廳的飯桌上，都可以看到、聽到網友和同事，分享自己去參觀欣賞了哪座商場的聖誕裝置，比較哪一個地方的佈置更美更有氣勢。

朋友說，聖誕節是他最喜歡的節日，高大漂亮的聖誕樹，雪景裝飾，聖誕老人，麋鹿，禮物，天使……組成了一副美麗的圖畫，予人溫馨的感覺。農曆新年收到長輩或友人的紅包，是別人給自己的祝福，那聖誕節交換禮物，就是朋友、親戚、同事之間相互傳送溫暖、溫馨、友愛和關心的舉動，交換禮物近年來是越來越夯了。

基督徒每年聖誕必然會感慨一番，聖誕節的主角似乎不見了，迎接救主耶穌才是慶祝聖誕節的真正目的，現在在商業化下，聖誕節只剩下禮物和派對。為了向更多人傳達聖誕節的神聖意義，不少教會主動走入社區和商場，與商家配合，到mall去報佳音，或者在舞台上呈獻耶穌誕生的劇目，傳播福音。通常mall呈獻的聖誕表演節目，不外是比較世俗化的歌舞，與聖誕老人拍照；在教會的參與下，還原聖誕精神，還可以加入慈善活動項目，商家也因此履行了企業社會責任，可謂兩全其美。

有非基督徒朋友對我說，聖誕節演變成普天同慶的節日（或假日），不再局限於基督徒，讓聖誕的精神更加生活化，甚至內化到廣大民眾心中，成為一種生活價值觀，也未嘗不是一件好事。我明白朋友的意思，我向來也有一種想法，如果聖誕節不淪為狂歡的節日，平安夜可以不會被人誤以為是“失身夜”，人們都能瞭解聖誕節，除了快樂之外，還具備其他的神聖意義和價值，大家一起來過聖誕，當然是美事一件。

也許許多非基督徒並不知道，天主教會在每一年踏入冬季時序（以大馬時節計算即12月），會特別制訂“將臨期”，包含兩個重要的課題：即紀念基督的第一次來臨，以及虔敬、愉悅地期待基督在光榮中的再次來臨。

如果在聖誕節期間有機會踏入天主教堂，會看到祭台旁置放一個“將臨圈”，將臨圈的習慣從德國開始，是用常青樹枝編織而成的圓圈或花冠。

一般上，在商場的聖誕裝置也可以見到。將臨圈的圓形象徵天主的無始無終及永恒。常青樹枝象徵天主的永恒不變及新生命。蜡燭的光，則象徵基督之光。花環中的四支蜡燭，代表將臨期四週，每個主日點燃一支，其中三支蜡燭是紫色，一支是粉紅色，分別代表不同主題和意義：紫色有期待、渴望，有補贖之意；也可以說是日出前的黎明或代表深夜的陰暗。粉紅色顯示喜樂。

介紹了這麼多，在聖誕前夕，大家也可以依循4個主題觀察自我、他人、社會國家和世界，尤其是在這個全民抗極端，力挺中庸的運動期間，思考如何戰勝極端，彰顯中庸。

邁向正義，才是真正的生命之道。在生命中，為追求真理，必須棄絕極端。人人擁有一顆渴望真道的心，是大家所期待和渴望的。我們要以“愛”與“公義”來接觸和擁抱這個世界，但願那些言行極端者能夠認清自己的不足和錯失。當人人回歸正道，當社會團結，國泰和睦，世界和平，我們才能迎來真正的喜樂。

聖誕過後即是迎接全新一年的時刻，回首2014年，可以發現我們無論是在經濟、政治、宗教、教育等層面，都浪費了太多的時間在一些無謂的事情上，做好的正事似乎不多，多數精神耗費在無意義的口舌紛爭中，原本看到了民主的曙光，卻被政治化和宗教化拖宕，絆住了前進的步伐。幸好臨近年終，一場中庸運動，讓我們看到了希望，希望這道曙光不會是流星般一劃星空而逝，稍縱即逝，而是像引領3位賢士前往朝拜耶穌的明亮之星，永恆地照亮大馬的天空和我們的心田。

（星洲日報／騎驢看本‧作者：張立德‧《星洲日報》主筆）

来源：http://opinions.sinchew.com.my/node/35062?tid=55

圣诞节传达包容和中庸信息

陈亚伦牧师与孙女安娜

2014年12月19日

作者：陈亚伦牧师

        圣诞节是传达包容别人和中庸信息的大好时机，尤其在一个日益排斥别人和极端的世界更合时宜。在马来西亚一个多元种族和宗教的国度，人民仍然在个别的佳节彼此祝贺。

        近年在购物广场互相竞争下，无不想尽办法摆设吸引人的圣诞节装饰，我们不是看到不同种族的人士都以它们为背景拍照吗？不少广场播放着传统的圣诞圣诗，也邀请教会来报佳音。这些动作都传达大马人民的和谐气氛，彼此尊重对方，国家才能安稳地前进。

        在一个教会神圣的12月份，竟然发生警方没收麻坡天主教会的31本圣诗簿，实在遗憾。长辈都记得马来亚独立及马来西亚成立初期，大家和睦共处，各种族持守信仰都相安无事。其实大马人普遍上都爱好和平的，只是，有一小撮政客为议程制造极端课题，让人以为这般情况是一个事实。

       极端的行动包括只要自己不喜欢的东西，就设法禁止别人去做。以美国为例，一群非基督徒不喜欢到了圣诞节佳期使用“Merry Christmas”（圣诞节快乐），施压政府推行“Happy Holidays”（假期快乐）来取代。虽然这群人得逞，越来越多人弃用前者而使用后者，但庆幸美国的圣诞节还看到教会聚会的来宾比平常要多。这证明了美国人仍然是喜欢圣诞节的。

        大马12月份发生上述不愉快的事，但也有愉快的事。即有25名马来显要公开促请政府推动中庸行动，继再有33名华、巫、印三大种族社会知名人士也如此呼吁政府，这些行动已经点燃了良性的“星星之火，足以燎原”之希望。我断定还会有更多有影响力的人士表态支持中庸！

        几年的伤害种族宗教之言论，越演越激，只有一群在野政治人物在抗拒，当想到“为何那些有识之士不敢发言，或者难道他们认同？”时，人民就对国家前途失信心。哦，沉默不等于认同，沉默的大众有多少人，没人知道。不过，这已经是第21世纪，马来西亚成立超过半世纪，人民已经很有见识了。沉默人士好比一个被压缩的弹簧，一旦把它释放，那个爆发力是不容忽视的！他们的行动，是大马的雨后甘霖！

        这也是第一个圣诞的原意：“在至高之处，荣耀归与上帝！在地上，平安归与祂所喜悦的人。”人民互相打斗，上帝不喜悦，所以他们失去平安。只有和睦共处，才能获得祂的喜悦，他们才有平安。同时使徒保罗形容祂的降世是取了奴仆的形象，这意味着谦卑。所以我们不要自私自利，只要谦卑，看别人比自己强。如果国人都这样做的话，就会彼此包容，秉持中庸，国家即幸福矣！

2013 -- Najib's Two Christmas Messages on Moderation

Najib – Time to prove he is a moderate by deed and conviction not a political chameleon who alternates between moderation and immoderation in his speeches depending on the crowd and occasion

The speeches by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday – one delivered by him at the national-level Christmas Open House in Penang and the other read out for him in Kuala Lumpur by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Paul Low, at the Christian Federation of Malaysia’s Christmas Hi-Tea – should have been received in elation by all reasonable and moderate Malaysians but this time, they failed to evoke such a response.

Why? Is it because men and women of reason and moderation in Malaysia have become extremists rejecting the sentiments of moderation, harmony and co-existence preached by Najib in his two Christmas speeches yesterday?

This cannot be so and it is not so.

In his address at the National Christmas Open House celebration in Penang, Najib said both Christianity and Islam have common roots and are Abrahamic religions.

He noted that the Muslims may not be able to accept the Christian interpretation on the concept of God and vice versa for the Christians.

“So, rather than choosing this path of fighting over these differences, it is better that we find a common ground to preserve the peace, harmony and stability of the country.”

He told both groups to understand the sensitivities of each others’ religions so as not to offend one another.

“Muslims should not hurt the feelings of Christians and likewise, Christians should not hurt the feelings of Muslims.”

Very correct and commendable sentiments. Why should Malaysians be divided by an issue which had not been a cause for contention, dissension and division for the first half-century of the nation’s life?

In his speech prepared for the Christian Federation of Malaysia’s Christmas Hi-Tea, Najib said that a moderate and rational approach was needed to keep Malaysia peaceful and harmonious.

“I always believe that differences in religious faith is not a weakening factor in our society, but rather a strong element in nation building for it serves as a constant reminder that we have so much to share in common, the values which are universally accepted like patriotism, peace, love, kindness, helping the poor and needy, social justice and so on.

“We may differ in our faiths, but we are not divided.”

Men and women of reason and moderation have always been guided by these sentiments and values expounded by Najib yesterday, and they should have been very relieved that the Prime Minister is on the same page with them on the need for national policies to be guided by these principles.

Why then have the reaction to the two Najib speeches yesterday been less than adulatory, if not highly suspicious?

This is because the time has come for Najib, in the second term and fifth year as Malaysia’s sixth Prime Minister, to prove that he is a moderate by deed and conviction and not a political chameleon who alternates between moderation and non-moderation in his speeches depending on the crowd and occasion.

For instance, when Najib took aim at politicians accused of stirring controversy for political gain and without regard for peace and harmony, Malaysians of reason and moderation fully agree with him – except they would disagree on the identity of the “irresponsible politicians” being referred to.

Najib said that he is aware of disagreements due to misunderstanding on certain issues among the people.

“Time and again, these have tested our resolve to remain a tolerant and peaceful nation. Like all tests that have come before, we have been exercising restraint in our responses yet resolute in defending our moderate and harmonious way of life.

“Irresponsible politicians who only seek short-term fame at the expense of harmony, will constantly evoke the sensitivities and fault lines to portray oneself as a hero for political mileage.

“I have always frowned upon such irresponsible conduct and I trust all citizens will view this conduct nothing but a folly.”

To Malaysian men and women, these “irresponsible politicians” described by Najib are mostly to be found in UMNO, and on a number of occasions not excluding Najib himself, which are clearly not the people the Prime Minister has in mind.

This illustrates the wide gulf between the thinking and perceptions of the Prime Minister and Malaysians of reason and moderation.

How can Najib be the national and even international spokesman of moderation when he has to prove to Malaysians of reason and moderation that he is one of their number?

Najib has said that he is not interested in winning an argument or in winning a legal argument as his main concern is on pursuing harmony, peace and stability for the country.

This is a good basis for the ending of the recent worsening religious fault lines in our plural society and I fully endorse the proposal by the Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam urging the Prime Minister to cement his own call for an end to Muslim-Christian hostility by withdrawing Putrajaya’s legal challenge against the Catholic Church’s use of “Allah”.

The ball is in Najib’s court to act on the message of moderation, harmony and co-existence of his two Christmas speeches yesterday. Will he or won’t he?

Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2013/12/26/najib-time-to-prove-he-is-a-moderate-by-deed-and-conviction-not-a-political-chameleon-who-alternates-between-moderation-and-immoderation-in-his-speeches-depending-on-the-crowd-and-occasion/

MAN WITHOUT A CORE: Najib betrays his own Moderates Movement with Sunni Islam call

Thursday, 12 December 2013 10:02
Written by Zairil Khir Johari

Amongst the more ridiculous propositions to emerge from the recently concluded Umno General Assembly was the suggestion that Article 3 of the Federal Constitution should be amended to stipulate that Islam in Malaysia refers to the practice of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah, or Sunni denomination.

Such a move, according to various Umno leaders including party Vice-President and Home Minister Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was necessary in order to “protect the sanctity of the teaching of Sunnah wal Jamaah and to stop the spread of other teachings in the country.”

This suggestion comes hot on the heels of the Home Minister’s vilification of the Shia sect as a deviant ideology, while attempting to link Pas leaders, in particular party Deputy President Mat Sabu, as Shia followers.

Most incredibly, this call was met favourably by Umno President Dato’ Sri Najib Razak who, in his closing speech, promised that the party constitution would be amended to define Islam as that of the Sunni denomination. Although the Prime Minister did not go so far as to agree to amend the Federal Constitution, he certainly did not rule it out when asked.

A voice of sanity (but for how long?)

Thankfully, a voice of sanity has emerged in the form of former Umno Supreme Council member and now Chief Executive Officer of the Global Movement of Moderates, Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, who appears to have broken ranks with his party colleagues.

In a press conference recently, Dato’ Saifuddin said that “there is no need to amend the Federal Constitution to specify Islam as the Sunni denomination” as “it is sufficient that the Federal Constitution already plainly states Islam as the religion of the federation.”

Dato’ Saifuddin also expressed concern that attempts to define Islam in the constitution in such a specific manner would not be inclusive, and that he did not believe in the “holier-than-thou approach” in handling this issue that he deems to be “exaggerated.”

Najib’s false moderation

In 2010, Najib spearheaded the formation of the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) by calling upon “members and leaders of the world's major faiths to censure and reject their own extremists.”

However, far from practising what he preaches, Najib’s own government has consistently submitted to the demands of the very extremists he is asking the world to reject.

Following on from the “kalimah Allah” controversy which has made Malaysia a laughing stock not only amongst Western nations but also in the Muslim world, the Government’s latest attempt to cast limitations on the definition of Islam is a palpable mockery of the religion.

Moreover, the zeal with which the Government is pursuing the persecution of Muslim minorities such as the Shia goes against the very grain of moderation or inclusiveness. In fact, it even contradicts the charter of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which affirms the need “to foster noble Islamic values concerning moderation, tolerance, respect for diversity,” as well as “to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

It is clear that Najib has betrayed the very movement which he started, and that the GMM is now nothing more than a false façade that belies the extremist, bigoted and narrow-minded tendencies of the Barisan Nasional Government.

Zairil Khir Johari

Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera

Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=199691:man-without-a-core-najib-betrays-his-own-moderates-movement-with-sunni-islam-call&Itemid=2#axzz2nEC7OuJ2