The season of Advent has begun for Christians who will be celebrating the birth of Jesus 25 days from now. These 25 days are supposed to be a season of abstinence from certain foods and drinks so that the believer prepares himself spiritually for Christmas. Religion has no significance unless it makes one a better person and the practices like abstinence are meant to help one in the process of self-renewal. But can a set of practices or some rituals make anyone a better person? They can help. But Jesus was explicit in saying that religion is not a matter of rituals or regulations. Religion is an attitude of love and compassion. The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the best in the Bible. A wayfarer was beaten up by thieves, stolen of all his possessions including his clothes, and was left “half dead” on the roadside. A priest came along but went away doing nothing to help the dying man. Then can a Levite. A Levite is a semi-priest in Judaism. He too refused
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