With
Christmas celebrations going on all around, it's time to be in a festive mood
and call-up the things in the
Christmas-way. It is that time of the year, again, when everything turns
sweet and nostalgic, a time to remember loved ones.., a time when wishes come
true.., and a time that holds something special for everyone..!
Even
though the majority of Indians believe in Hinduism, Christmas is widely
celebrated around the country, regardless of caste or creed. It is a season of
great joy and is marked by singing Christmas carols and giving gifts after the
pattern of God's greatest gift to us- His own Son. Since Christmas comes about
the same time as New Year, the celebrations are coincided and therefore the
festive season is intact for a longer period!
At
Christmas, the simplicity of Christ is made manifest for all to learn. He was
the one who created the whole world; who had the power to make all things, yet
chose to be begotten in a manger where horses are kept, born of peasant parents
(Mary and Joseph). From that lowly beginning, that child grew in wisdom and
divine grace to determine the future of humanity.
The
best way to spend the Christmas is in doing good and helping those in need.
Lord Jesus often stressed on the need for us to be our brother’s keeper. When
asked to comment how we should live our lives, He summed it up by saying ‘Love God and love your neighbours as yourself’.
And this should sum the extent of our
relationship with our fellow men. When we remember that we are called to always
love our neighbours as ourselves, we would desist from hurting them and be more
attentive to their needs; knowing full well that whatever we do to our
neighbours, we do also unto God.
While
we are healthy, with abundance to eat, there are many who are caged by
circumstances beyond them. Many cannot afford to wear new clothes or replace
worn-shoes, yet we have surplus lying fallow in our bank accounts. What if we
drop dead today, what happens to all our wealth? Money is of no use except
spent judiciously to bring smiles on faces of others. We should decide to
clothe someone this Christmas or help pay someone’s school fees. Look around ourselves
and be the divine vessel through
which God would put a smile on the faces of the deprived, this beautiful season
of joy.
Jesus
spent most of his lifetime spreading love and good will among people of ages,
irrespective of tribe or religious lineage. He healed the sick, cured the
lepers, delivered those possessed of evil spirits, gave sight to the blind,
restored hope to the hopeless and offered salvation to those weighed down by
sin. He often stressed the fact that we are all children of God, whether we are
Jews, Pagans or Samaritans.
I
agree that no single individual can solve the problem of all. But the one we can do now is to pick up atleast
one person at a time, according to our ability, and make positive impact on his
life. If each of us extends a helping hand to another, we would succeed in
spreading love and happiness around us in truest kind.
The
real essence of the festival is in the feeling and sense of sharing love and forgiving
others. This Christmas, let us honour Jesus by acting upon his message of love,
peace and service towards others. Be
someone’s Santa this time! Merry Christmas! :) :)
