As we celebrate Christmas, the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is a sacred symbol of humility, love, and sacrifice, we are called to reflect on the profound importance of honoring our parents. This sacred duty is intrinsically tied to honoring God, our Heavenly Father, who is the source of all life and love. True gratitude to parents must be expressed not merely through words, but through genuine and concrete deeds, embodying respect, acknowledgment of their sacrifices, and a heartfelt sense of pride and conviction.
Failing to fulfill the duty and holy obligation of gratitude to parents, especially during the holy season of Christmas and new year, amounts to blatant ingratitude, rebellion against divine order, and a fundamental erosion of moral values and self-respect. Such behavior dishonors the sanctity of the Lord Himself, who is a loving and forgiving Father.
Ingratitude towards parents is not just a social failing practice, but a profound spiritual sin. It is a deviance from faith and morality that leads to spiritual and relational decay. Tragically, this moral impairment has become alarmingly prevalent in our time, posing a direct challenge to the principles of faith, love, and sacrifice that underpin our religious traditions.
Biblical Foundation for Honoring Parents The Holy Bible, the eternal moral compass for millions, consistently emphasizes the sanctity of the parent-child relationship. Honoring parents is enshrined as a divine commandment. In the Ten Commandments, the fifth commandment explicitly declares: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment is not merely a suggestion but a divine decree, elevating the respect for parents to the same level as reverence for God Himself.
Christian teachings highlight the immense sacrifices parents make for their children. By honoring these sacrifices, we align ourselves with the virtues of humility, love, and obedience to God. The Bible glorifies parental love and veneration, urging believers to embody these virtues in their daily lives.
Concerning Trends in Modern Times It is deeply disheartening to witness a growing number of children who exhibit ingratitude towards their parents, particularly during times of need, illness, or old age. Such behavior starkly contrasts with the Biblical call for gratitude and reveals a troubling erosion of familial and moral values. While parents dedicate their lives to the well-being of their children, some children respond with indifference or even contempt. This ingratitude tears at the fabric of sacred family relationships and violates the divine principle of honoring parents.
Biblical Verses Highlighting Gratitude and Respect for Parents The Scriptures are replete with verses that emphasize the duty to respect and honor parents: Proverbs 23:22 : “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old”. This verse underscores the sanctity of parental life-giving roles and warns against neglecting them in their old age.
2 Timothy 3:2 : “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy”. Here the verse starkly warns against the growing prevalence of selfishness and ingratitude in society.
Luke 11:11-12 : “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?” The Bible in this verse highlights the natural duty of parents to provide for their children and the unnatural betrayal of ingratitude.
Restoring Family Values As family values erode under the pressures of modern society, a return to the foundational principles of faith and morality becomes imperative. The commandment to honor parents is not just a moral guideline, but a divine directive that fosters cohesive, compassionate, and spiritually grounded families. Gratitude towards parents reflects gratitude towards God and strengthens the bonds of love and respect within society. While the phenomenon of ingratitude may appear widespread, it is not insurmountable. By recommitting ourselves to the virtues of faith, love, and sacrifice, we can reignite the spirit of gratitude and restore the sanctity of the parent-child relationship. The Bible’s teachings call us to recognize and appreciate the immeasurable sacrifices of our parents, equating the honor of earthly parents to the honor of our Heavenly Father.
A Call to Action This Christmas, let us reaffirm our commitment to honoring our parents as an act of faith and obedience to God. Let us demonstrate gratitude through tangible acts of love, support, and respect, ensuring that our parents feel cherished and valued. By doing so, we not only fulfill the fifth commandment, but also strengthen our relationship with God, who commands us to honor Him by honoring our parents. In doing so, we embody the true spirit of Christmas: humility, love, and sacrifice.
Christmas Day/Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 02/01-20/:”In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
