New Age practitioners do not believe in Christmas. They havent a clue that there is a God, who so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that the world could be saved by him (Jn.3:16-17). They have no idea that The Word (God Himself) was made flesh and dwelt among us (Jn.1:14). This mystery of the Incarnation, so central to the Churchs teaching, is hidden from their eyes.
The joy of the Christmas season for us, rests in the belief that, The Son of Man has come to save what was lost (Lk.19:10). For us men and for our salvation, that he came down from heaven (The Creed).
New Agers respond by saying that Christ is not a divine person, but only one of many avatars, a spirit appearing differently throughout history in people like the Buddha, Zarathustra and Mohammed. But we know by faith that Jesus the Christ was true God and true man, like us in all things but sin.
The Church teaches that a human being is a free and responsible person, beloved by His creator, and that we are created in His likeness(Gn.2:23).
New Agers think that man is neither free nor responsible; nor able to enter into a relationship, dialogue or alliance with a personal God. For them there is no such thing as a personal God. They believe that every human life is simply a passing wave on the cosmic ocean. Those of them who connect with eastern religions say that according to the law of Karma there is no need of a savior because we can repair our own errors in the course of many lives, by means of the endless cycle of reincarnation.
The Church teaches that we are destined for eternal life, and we can attain heaven by believing that we are utterly dependent on the Lord, who said, Apart from me, you can do nothing (Jn.15:5).
New Age practitioners exalt mankinds independence from any supreme being. They disparage our religion, and the idea that we need a savior. However, even the Hebrew Bible is clear on this point: Man cannot purchase his redemption nor pay his ransom to God (Psalm 2:8-9). In the New Testament we read, There is no other name under heaven granted to us, by which we may receive salvation (Acts 4:12).
Salvation includes the total flowering of the human person. It is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8-9), which is earned through the merits of Jesus Christ. New Age teaches that mans ultimate triumph consists in gaining knowledge about his own cosmic energy. This is essentially the same false promise presented by the Gnostics centuries ago. They claimed that this knowledge can only be gained through inner illuminations, rebirths, and self-mastery, which they insist can only be discovered through them. Their teachers will guide you as long as you have the cash to buy their books and tapes.
As we rejoice in the Lords birth this Christmas, New Agers sit alone, believing that they can acquire all they need by connecting with their own cosmic energy. In striving to become self-sufficient, they profess no need of revelation, no need of a Savior, and above all no need of Christmas.
In the meantime, enjoy the Lord, and have a wonderful Christmas!
