By Marianne Furtado de Nazareth —
It’s that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. The malls and shops are beginning to get dressed for the season. There are lights and the glitter of baubles and ornaments put onto trees. Colourful stars evocative of the season of Christmas have begun to be sold in the little shops across India. Sparkly tinsel garlands too to brighten up your fake tree too.
But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, lavish dinners with family and friends, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of “Merry Christmas” to your relatives and friends? Is this really Christmas?
For many people, Christmas is a time of difficulty. They don’t have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Lavish dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.
Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
To quote from Luke:
Luke 2: 4-19 says:
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Why did Jesus come? Why did God send His son to this cruel and difficult world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. A story of one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us and without Jesus, we would all die submerged in our sins and evil ways.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done, that are wrong. The Bible says that all of us have sinned. And we are all born with a sinful nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sinful nature. We need to have that removed and the only way possible is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for all of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are cleansed and made whole, and we can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.
There is chaos in the world around us and in our country as well this Christmas tide. But, we can truly be happy at Christmas, no matter what may be happening, if we believe that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God and Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas with a new pair of eyes this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart and home, and only then you will have a “Merry Christmas.” The joy and peace you will receive will last all year, as you look to God for support through your difficult times.
So, lets remember that Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! And, let us all rejoice!
Dr Marianne Furtado de Nazareth,
Former Asst. Editor, The Deccan Herald, &
Adjunct faculty St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, Bangalore.