Text & Video/Elias Bejjani: Christmas and Ingratitude Towards Parents: Honoring Parents Intertwines with Honoring God, The Father Himself. Elias Bejjani/December 25/2023
As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the incarnated God, the holy symbol of humility, love, and sacrifice, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of respecting parents, honoring their sacrifices, and demonstrating gratitude through practical deeds. Failure to do so would amount to a bold rebellion against moral virtues, self-respect, and Almighty God Himself, who is a father.
Ingratitude, an age-old affliction, is unfortunately becoming more prevalent in today’s society, especially among children towards their parents. From a biblical standpoint, ingratitude is sternly condemned, with numerous verses highlighting the significance of honoring and respecting parents.
The Bible, a moral compass for millions, stresses the commandment to honor one’s parents. In the Ten Commandments, the fifth directive explicitly states, “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 goes beyond mere familial respect; it is a divine decree that intertwines honoring parents with honoring God Himself.
As portrayed in biblical teachings, parents make profound sacrifices for their children. The Bible extols the virtues of selfless love and parental sacrifice. Yet, the contemporary landscape often witnesses children who, in times of need, display an alarming lack of gratitude. These children benefit from the sacrifices of their parents, but when the time comes to reciprocate or express gratitude, some fall short.
Biblical Insights on Ingratitude Proverbs 23:22 : “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” This verse emphasizes the sanctity of life given by parents and warns against disdain 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.” This verse poignantly notes ingratitude as a negative trait, cautioning against its prevalence. 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?” This verse underscores the natural inclination of parents to provide for their children’s needs, highlighting the disheartening nature of ingratitude.
Ingratitude disrupts the sacred fabric of familial relationships and violates the divine principle of honoring parents. Parents sacrifice sleep, personal ambitions, and countless resources for the well-being of their children, yet some offspring respond with indifference or even scorn.
The Call to Gratitude As society grapples with the erosion of familial values, a return to biblical principles is imperative. The commandment to honor parents is not a mere suggestion; it is a foundational principle that, when upheld, fosters a society rooted in gratitude, compassion, and divine respect.
Ingratitude, though prevalent, need not be an inevitability. By embracing the biblical wisdom that honoring parents is tantamount to honoring God Himself, we can rekindle the spirit of gratitude and restore the sanctity of parent-child relationships.
Let us heed the biblical call to gratitude, recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices parents make. In doing so, we honor not only our earthly guardians but also the Heavenly Father who ordained the commandment.
The true meaning of Christmas is love. GotQuestions.org John 03:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christmas story is the story of God’s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (01 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 05:08).
