Christmas
At the
beginning of the month of November whilst listening to the radio I heard a
number of Christmas advertisements. Some were from banks and others from
clothes stores. It was a reminder of reality. The commercial world has taken
the lead in reminding all that Christmas is around the corner. Even before the
church calendar has come to an end, even before we have begun the season of
Advent, the commercial Christmas has begun. Sadly such commercial activities
also draw Christians towards celebrating a worldly Christmas.
Christmas
trees, Santa Claus, snow man, reindeer and many more symbols which have no
relevance what so ever to the events that took place in a cattle shed more 2000
years ago, takes an important place in the celebrations of Christmas to the
church and every Christmas home. Hence there is a build up to the 25th
of December and on the 26th all is over and life returns to normal.
Business have made their money, people have spent theirs, some even their
savings and the church too makes it’s highest expenditure during this month,
mostly spending it on itself.
However, it
is sad that as Christians, as followers of Christ as those who know the truth
we are still finding it hard to show the world the true meaning of Christmas.
That is ”the word made flesh for our salvation”. It is in preparation for this
great occasion that the church begins its calendar with the season of Advent.
The colour blue which reminds us of the sky, and the themes of hope, faith, joy
and love all help us to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Messiah. It is
this period of preparation and waiting that makes the birth of Jesus as Saviour
of the world a meaningful celebration.
Unfortunately
the church which should be leading the way for the world, has absorbed all the
worldly features of Christmas and gives prominence for it. The crib is lost in
the prominence of the Christmas tree, and the meaningful Christmas carols are
drowned in carol competitions and programmes, and the dancing and merry making
Santa Clause takes away the meaning behind the giving of gifts. It is time for
the believers and followers of Jesus to present to the world a counter
celebration. It is the counter life that the early followers of Christ lived
that gave them the name “Christian”. It is time that we returned to living that
counter life. Rather than doing meaningless things to please children and keep
ourselves happy, it is time that the church takes stock of the way it
celebrates the birth of Jesus.
The birth of
Jesus gives us Christians a wonderful opportunity to share the good news of
Jesus’ birth by letting go of the traditional elements by which the world knows
Christmas and by putting forth symbols of meaning that reveal to the world “the
world made flesh for our salvation”.
Are we ready
to travel a different path this Christmas? Or will we let the status quo
remain? May the season of hope, faith, joy, and love bring meaning as you
prepare to celebrate the “the word made flesh for our salvation”.
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