Adolf Washington –
It was the ‘Christmas Crib competition’ at the then 105-year old Sacred Heart Church in Bangalore, where I served as Assistant Parish Priest in 2000. Visiting homes, we were awestruck, baffled and curious about the crib of 12 year-old Satish (of another Faith). There were three men with assault rifles in the crib!
Satish explained, “Oh Father! They are terrorists with AK-47 rifles who have come to surrender weapons and work for world peace!” Satish won a cash prize and Christmas goodies.
Ever since St. Francis of Assissi organised the world’s first ‘Live’ Crib in 1223 at Greccio, Jesus’ birth has been portrayed spectacularly a billion times in story, song and stage and stunningly creative cribs across continents, communities and cultures.
But has the gamut of Christmas revelry overshadowed the message of the first Christmas. It’s a message of hope to those in hopelessness with God taking human form to relate with the human condition. It is The Incarnation “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…” (John 1:14).
Christmas is a celebration of God’s unconditional Love. True Love is best celebrated when shared with those deprived of Love, bereft of Hope and overwhelmed by the Darkness of misery.