Issue 6 | 23 Dec. 2006

WHY CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE - More Religious
By Solomo, SDB

Fr. Solomon

Two thousand years ago in the city of Bethlehem a couple went about knocking door after door to find a place for delivering their child. The time was nearing for the mother to deliver, but they found no place yet. It was biting cold and the breeze was heavy and every one who opened the door had the same uniform response 'there is no inn'. Finally they found a small stable surrounded by farm animals, where the infant Jesus was born, laid in a manger.  Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel and were the first to see the child. Christians believe that the birth of Jesus fulfilled many prophecies made hundreds of years before his birth. Remembering or re-creating the Nativity (Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus) is one of the central ways that Christians celebrate Christmas. According to biblical accounts, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem. The birth of Jesus gave new hope and life to millions of Christians.

Why even historically speaking Jesus affected the human history so remarkably that a new era, recognized by the chief civilization of the world, dates from his birth. About 2000 years ago, God transformed his son's life to the womb of a woman and Jesus came to be a human Son of God born in the normal manner through a woman (Gal 4:4) when Jesus was developing in the womb and while he was growing up as a boy, he was dependent upon those whom God has selected to be his earthly parents, eventually Jesus reached manhood and he was granted full remembrance of his previous association with God in heaven-John 8:23; 17:15.It would be a futile attempt to prove or disprove whether Jesus was born on 25th December and should we celebrate the birthday of Jesus on this day. (In Anglo-Saxon times, Christmas was referred to as geol, from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived. The word "Christmas" is a contraction meaning "Christ's mass." It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. The words for the holiday in Spanish (navidad), Portuguese (natal), and French (noël) refer more explicitly to the Nativity. Christmas is sometimes shortened to Xmas, an abbreviation that has a long history. In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter ? (chi) is the first letter of Christ (???st??). Since the mid-sixteenth century ?, or the similar Roman letter X was used as an abbreviation for Christ.) There are many historical interpretations to ascertain the celebration of Christmas. My intention in sharing few thoughts on Christmas is not to get into the historical facts. On this Christmas do we have a place in our hearts to welcome the newborn king, the king of peace? It is the season of hope, peace and sharing.  Can we share the sorrows of the afflicted and bring new life into the lives of people surrounding us. Can we be the source of that blessing from God? Or will this Christmas too be restricted to traditions, which include the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. There is a need for transformation of heart and the need to be sensitive to the realities of the world. Any celebrations will have meaning only if it includes the majority of the people surrounding us. On this Christmas if we celebrate only with our family and friends and don't share anything with the neighbors and others our celebration has no meaning. The birth of Jesus brought happiness and hope to millions so we need to replicate it to at least few, the same effect.   Can we welcome Jesus on this Christmas with not only external preparation, but with inner self too, only then we will be able to say we have a 'inn' and we want to be born new or else we too will be saying 'There Is No Inn'