Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world

by Chitra R.L. Fernando

Unto us is born a Son,
King of quires supernal:
See on earth his life begun,
Of lords the Lord eternal.
Christ, from heaven descending low,
Come on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their owner know,
Becradled in the manger.

It’s time once again to hear the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem to see these things which have come to pass. The beautiful sentiments expressed in the carols will be heard throughout this blessed season of Christmas.

The birth of Jesus is a watershed in the annals of history, demarcating two great eras - namely, Before Christ (B.C.) and Ano Domini (A.D.). The birth of the Son of God, has made a great impact on the lives of the masses and changed them for the better. The Son of God came down to earth, so that the sons of men might become the sons of God - by the supreme sacrifice that He made on a bitter cross. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed about the birth of the Son of God in this manner.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They who lived in the land of deep shadow of sin, on them a light has shone.” You have their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase - as men rejoice in your presence - as men rejoice when they are dividing the spoils. For all the foot gear of battle and every cloak rolled in blood is burnt and consumed by fire.

For unto us a Son is born, unto us a Son is given - and dominion is laid on His shoulder. He shall be called wonderful, counsellor, mighty God, eternal Father - Prince of peace. His royal power will continue to grow.

His kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as king David’s successor.

The Lord Almighty is determined to do this. Isn’t this prophecy of the prophet Isaiah very appropriate at a time, when we citizens of Sri Lanka seek peace and goodwill, after the ravages of a senseless war? Peace at any cost, we say, but; is it so? Do all the citizens in this beautiful island of ours work towards the realisation of peace, or, do we create obstructions through our hard heartedness and lack of concern for others?

Do we offer those rare gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the babe of Bethlehem, or do we carry the gifts of hatred, unforgiveness, anger and bitterness to offer to the infant Jesus during this blessed Christmas season?

His royal birth was proclaimed to the whole world by the appearance of an unusual star. The Magi from the east knew, that a royal prince had been born.

On their arrival at King Herod’s place, there was much confusion and, the enraged king Herod ordered the massacre of the infant boys under two years of age.

We could just imagine how much innocent blood was shed, in the mutiny, to destroy this precious Son of God.

The coup was foiled and God’s messenger appeared in a dream to Joseph, entreating him to take baby Jesus and His mother to Egypt, until such time as the Lord God called them back to set up their home in Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy “Out of Egypt, have I called my Son”, and, reminding us of that great man Moses who led the whole of Israel from bondage, out of the sinful and idolatrous city of Egypt. Jesus grew up in Nazareth and found favour with God and man.

Just as any other Jewish boy, Jesus went to the synagogue and sat at the feet of Gamaliel, a learned man who was a doctor of laws.

Jesus would have played with little children of his age, helped His earthly father Joseph in his carpentry shed and helped His mother with household chores such as drawing water or grinding the meal.

As Christian parents, shouldn’t we nurture our children in a disciplined manner in accordance with the proverbs? “Train up a child in the way he should and, when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

It is to our utter dismay and disappointment that we see children causing much embarrassment and shame to their parents, due to the lack of discipline and godly fear in children instilled into their lives, in their formative years.

The most precious gift given by God being spoilt due to the lack of example from parents themselves.

Respect for God and also to parents and elders is fast deteriorating in the rat-race of life. Christmas is just another day for feasting, merry making - sometimes even at the cost of other people’s liberty.

The computer and Santa Claus has ousted baby Jesus from the manger in Bethlehem.

Peace and goodwill have lost its context altogether and sometimes it is our sad experience that there is much filthy abuse and fisticuffs, as the grand finale of this season, due to high spirits brought about by the consumption of liquor.

Let us fervently hope and pray that, in this our beloved country Sri Lanka, the highest ideals of democracy be practised, treating human life with dignity and kindness and, may this Baby Jesus, God’s only begotten Son bring peace and healing to a world which needs it.

Let us all work towards an everlasting peace so that every citizen would live in a fearless and independent state, all the days of their life.