It is that time of the year when the halls are decked with boughs of holly, the trees are aglow, gifts all shiningly wrapped up under the tree, commercialism at its best (or worst), seemingly more stars on the earth than in the sky, the nativity scene showcased in more glamour and glitz than the original nativity ever resembled, joyful carols in the air—all coming to a head at the banquet table which is soon to be laid out with the best cake, wine, goodies, complete with the fattened calf.
It is that time of the year when the halls are decked with boughs of holly, the trees are aglow, gifts all shiningly wrapped up under the tree, commercialism at its best (or worst), seemingly more stars on the earth than in the sky, the nativity scene showcased in more glamour and glitz than the original nativity ever resembled, joyful carols in the air—all coming to a head at the banquet table which is soon to be laid out with the best cake, wine, goodies, complete with the fattened calf.
A feast truly fit for royalty. A ‘picture perfect’ glimpse of today’s Christmas season. Ironically, the actual birth of Christ which is the real reason for the Christmas season was very much low-key. Born in a lowly manger with no frills. The wise men and shepherds alerted of the birth by the angelic host were kneeling on level ground. Society at its simplest best!
Without snuffing out the glow of the festivities, some “soul searching”for those of us who choose to celebrate this season in the true spirit of Christmas. Are not expectations heavy for ‘Christmas Day?’ The year-long arrears of kindness, hospitality and what ought to be simple daily acts of humanity are being crammed into a few weeks before culminating on Christmas Day. The grim reality of the year skids past when sex scandals of powerful church leaders were glossed over, a blind eye turned at shepherds leading themselves and the sheep astray, daily acts of violence against women and children in our very own backyards being passed by in true un-Samaritan style.
Have not these rocked the very foundational truths of all that Christ represents? Where was the voice of the cheerful caroling Christian,then? Silent or stifled?
The glaring message of the birth of Christ is to share “love, peace, hope and justice.” By default, that would mean, we Christians, are to BE the carriers of that light of “love, peace, hope and justice” wherever we are, every day of the year.
If our festivities are interrupted by a higher plan and purpose, just the way Mary’s and Joseph’s lives were, would we heed the call? Will this Christmas be a good time to reflect if the “glow” of Christ’s calling on our lives emanates from our hearts and homes all year around or is the “glow” just the twinkle of our trees reserved only for December? Is our homeland community aglow because “Christ lives in us?” EVERYDAY! To share love, to initiate peace, to inspire hope and to stand up for justice. Christmas culminated in Good Friday. The Cross is as integral a part of the Christian’s sojourn of faith as much as the Manger.Do we die to self so that others may live?
“Christmas is the celebration of God's love reaching down to me and is meant to bring a message of sharing that love, peace and hope, but this is now overshadowed by the stress of preparing for Christmas,” says Betsy Avinash who spreads her tiny rays of sunshine wherever she goes, just lending a helping hand or a listening ear, every day.
For Arthi Samson, as much as she delights in Christmas, she views the majority as still soaked in secular traditions. “Christians need to celebrate the purpose behind the birth of Christ as Saviour and definitely not Santa! I look at Christmas as a season to close the door of hate and open the door of love, look up to Lord Jesus with thankfulness for being with us throughout the year and forgiving people because we have a compassionate, forgiving Savior!” she says.
Anina Mathew, a devoted mother of two little girls celebrates Christmas as just a time of being together with husband and kids. “We understand that we need to celebrate Christ’s birth and death daily. But sadly, I don't see Christ in Christmas today. I see that Christmas has become a business opportunity for retailers to cash in on.”
A dedicated pastor and the Director of CV India, Manoj Iype left behind a lap of luxury in the Gulf to return to India with his wife to contribute their little bit in addressing the needs of different sections of our society. Manoj says,“It would be good to remind ourselves always that a heart stirred by the Spirit of God is also stirred for the things of God—love, righteousness, justice and peace. As we have the ability and means to influence social issues, Christians should be involved in what happens in our communities, the nation. But what is seen so often in our lives is an all-out war on the sins of those around us, but very little personal effort in rooting out personal sin in our own lives.
Do our hearts break when we see evil around us? If the answer is 'No,' then a good place to start at this Christmas is what the prophet Isaiah says, “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voices like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins." As Christians we are commanded by the Apostle Paul to expose the fruitless deeds of darkness. The Bible presents God as a God of justice among other things, and something He delights in. However, the passiveness comes from only one place- indwelling sin. This keeps many Christians from reaching out to others, keeps the church inward-focused and busy with religious jargon, activities and festivities. The ambivalent Christian is alive and well in the Church!I am reminded of what Jesus taught about the narrow and broad roads.
The way I see it, unless we truly desire to be like Jesus, we won't feel the need to stand up for the truth. Choosing to stand up for truth and justice is entering by the narrow gate to life. It is inconvenient, involves hardships and only a few find it. Moreover, when allegations point to someone in authority, there is an immediate fear for one's reputation, life, family, property. Most would choose to take the easy way out and remain silent or neutral. This is essentially, one form of a 'fear of man'but a reality in Christendom. But yes, there is the remnant who have woken up and are doing their bit by influencing families, communities and cities. That would be a true celebration of what Christmas actually is!”
Wonder Joky has a humorous take to everything in life, so also about his own community of Christians and the Church. “Basically, we are a “holier than thou” snobbish community stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. We criticize everybody else but sweep our mess under the carpet, even it is an elephant. Classic case of what the Jesus said about removing the speck in others’ eyes even as we fail to see the log in our own.
We say we should not judge others when it comes to our own community mess, but we judge every other religion. Christmas would be a good time to show ourselves the mirror!”
While I made a delayed attempt at figuring out what my children would like as Christmas gifts, I casually posed the question of “What did you ask Jesus for Christmas?” The youngest of them all who is just 5 piped up with, “I want our family and all the families in the world to be happy, Mama!” while her 7-year-old brother joyfully exulted, “FAITH, HOPE and LOVE!” The older children were rendered speechless, of course. A word said thereafter would seem superfluous.
Even as a joyful world rings in Christmas this year, my glimpse of grief is real at the other end of the spectrum. It is Christmas in that world too but there a mother mourns the loss of her precious teenage son who fought a long battle with cancer, elsewhere a son just lost his mother in a short battle with cancer, women coping alone as single moms awaiting a reason to celebrate the season and yet putting on the “face” of love and hope for their children, many families without a penny to indulge in merry-making, some families nursing loved ones in hospital beds.True joy and hope are birthed in the womb of the afflicted. Will Jesus find His “manger” there since there is no room at the inn?