Meaningful Christmas

When Christianity began to spread to the pagan world, many cultures were transformed into a Christian culture. Christians also adopted many practices from other traditions and cultures. The date of the celebration of Christmas (December 25) is the best example for this adaptation. People of the Roman Empire celebrated sun’s rebirth during the longest night of the year. From December 25^th onwards the day gets longer as the amount of light increases. This is really meaningful and understandable because by the coming of Christ the darkness of the world has been removed. So when Christianity replaced paganism in the Roman Empire, it was easy for the Christians to replace the feast of the sun with the birth of Christ.

The historical event of the Incarnation of the Son of God is the basis of the celebration of the feast of Christmas. He was born in Bethlehem, lived in Palestine for thirty three years and was crucified, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the living and the dead. But when we see the Christmas celebration around us one can only wonder how much Christ is present in these celebrations. Knowingly or unknowingly Christ has become the missing link in our Christmas celebrations in a far too “secularized” world.

Now the opposite of what should happen in Christmas is happening as we try to “paganize” the Christmas celebration. To make the values of commerce and of worldly thinking prevail over the “Christ-centered Christmas” is compromising our Christian identity. The sad part of it is that either we are not aware of it or we don’t care about it. A sacred element in our celebration has been replaced by some profane practices which now makes the impression that those practices are part of a real Christian Christmas celebration. By allowing this to happen in our life, once again the “pagan” elements take over the Christian feast. It is just like some countries which claim to be atheistic but are making all the sacred objects and ornaments for the believers. They have only one intention in mind that they should sell those objects and make money and what they make has no connection to their lives. We must celebrate Christmas with a sense of adoration expressing our gratitude to the God who loved us by becoming man. In our selection of Christmas cards, decorations and greetings we should not be afraid to acknowledge that we are Christians and Christmas is Jesus’ Birthday.

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The tradition of illuminating the streets, shops and homes with lights during Christmas is coming from the image that Jesus is the light of the world. Of all the months, December has the darkest days of the year. But with the birth of Christ the situation changes from darkness to light. Referring to the ministry of Jesus, St. Matthew writes in his gospel reminding the readers of a prophesy of Isaiah that “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen” (Mt 4: 16). This Scriptural passage has eternal significance since everyone need to see the light of Christ.

In one of the Sacred Scriptures of Hinduism (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad — I.iii.28) the devotee prays to God:

असतो मा सद्गमय।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
म्रित्योर्मा अम्रुतम्गमय।

ॐ शांति शांति शांति I
Asatoma Sadgamaya

Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya

Mrithyor Maa Amrutham Gamaya

Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti

It means: “Lord, lead me from the unreal to the real. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality. May there be peace everywhere.”  Even though this prayer was composed 800 – 600 years before the birth of Christ, it has been actually fulfilled in the coming of Christ. In India during Christmas season everyone put a Christmas star in front of the house and shops. It reaches beyond the boundaries of Christianity as followers of other religions also enjoy having a star in front of their house. Different kinds of traditions are followed in the United States also, but everywhere we see beautiful lights.

We see in the gospels that the wise men from the East following the star to reach Bethlehem. “…behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage’” (Mt 2: 1-2). The wise men were wise enough to understand the signs of the times to seek the wisest - Jesus of Nazareth. In our preparation of Christmas also we should follow Christ who is the real light, leading us to our final destination -heaven.

Whenever I think about Jesus as the light of the world, I remember a story which I heard as a young boy: One day, the setting sun turned to the world and asked a question: “Who can give light to the world after my departure?” There was complete silence since everyone knew that the sun gives light to the whole world and nobody can replace the sun. After a while, a small lightening bug came forward and said: “I shall try my best”. A lightening bug can save a person from falling into a ditch when there is so much darkness. When we look around us, we see so much darkness. We blame the darkness for everything. Instead of blaming the darkness, try to be a light.

Jesus asks the same question: “who can give light in today’s world?” and my response should be: “I shall try my best”. Moon does not produce light on its own. But it reflects the light of the sun when the sun disappears at night (I am not speaking scientifically here).  

When every Christian in the world can respond to Jesus’ question saying, “I shall try my best”, then the darkness of the world will be eliminated. Our failure to follow Christ by becoming his reflection is also the cause of darkness in the world today.