Reflections for Christmas - 2009:

"The Gift of Christmas"

by Camillus FERNANDO

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is God's Gift of reassurance and hope it was there at the centre page of history that shepherds watching over their flocks by night found their darkness shattered by light. There they found their own thoughts replaced by the voice of an Angel saying, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the lord, and this will be the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger and suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill toward men" (Luke 2:10-14)

The fulfilment of the Angel's announcement changed the course of history. Today, even in the end of our own conflict and fear, the saviour who was born still offers his presence and his peace to all who know Him and take quiet moments to think about Him. Never has there been a greater gift than God himself gave to us that first Christmas Morning.

Jesus' birth was the most remarkable event in human history, never shrink from celebrating this baby at Christmas. Marvel at his incarnation, and stand in awe or a wiggly baby who had created his worshippers. Dare Brannon observed, "Celebrate the baby, but trust the Saviour". That's how to make Christmas complete.

"There was no room in the inn". Today 2000, years later; millions of people have no room. The no vacancy sign is there since, they participate enthusiastically in the festivities of the season they keep him out of their lives.

Richard De Haan poses the pertinent question, "How about you"? Is there room in your life for Christ? What better time than during this season to re-dedicate your life to Him or to receive Him as your Saviour.

Actually, God became man so that we would not be afraid to draw near to God, His birth brought the infinite God within reach of finite man, like shepherds we have to encounter Christ the Lord and be a witness to others glorifying and praising God for everything you have heard and seen.

David Mecasland echoed his thoughts when he wrote: "We can become so charmed with the story of a baby that we grow sentimental about it. It does not ask that we do anything about it; it does not demand any vital change in our way of thinking and living".

"The great question for us is this: is our Christmas still only a story about a baby, or is it more, a ...... story about a person into whom the baby grew, who can redeem the world from its sins, and who calls us into partnership with his great and mighty purposes? "When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he said, "you shall call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Mt.1:21). It is only as we see the birth of Jesus in light of his crucifixion and resurrection that, we are able to grasp the full meaning of Christ's coming.

With your eyes open this Christmas, respond to God with love and commitment for the gift of his son, focus your thoughts and actions and motivations towards honouring the baby who grew up and died for all our sins, Christ the Saviour is born! The mission of the cross is in the message of the cradle.

In our grief, however God gave us a moving glimpse of his original Christmas. We saw that God also experienced empty arms. But in a much greater way. His baby son had been born to die a death that would bring eternal life to us all. Like Mary, we cherished and pondered these thoughts in our hearts. Slowly, the unhappiness that threatened to diminish the meaning of Christmas enlarged it instead. In time, that Christmas became the most meaningful one we've ever had.

Once again, Christmas this year will be unavoidably be sad for many people, perhaps for you, take heart! Christmas needn't be merry to be meaningful. It's the Christ of Christmas we celebrate, not Christmas itself, Ponder him!

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" (John 3:16) - The most beautiful passage in the entire Bible. Many give their lives for their country but, Jesus gave his life for the world.

Joanne Yoder beautifully expressed in her imitable style when she wrote thus:- "The crib is a scandal because it is against the common sense of human reason for God to become man. Especially, in conditions of poverty and humiliation which do not afford a proper standard of living! The cross is a scandal because it asks too much of any man that he should be prepared to follow the way of suffering when his inclination is to comfort".

The news of Jesus' birth evoked a mixed reaction. The wise men joyfully welcomed and worshipped the Saviour (Mathew 2:10-11). But king Herod was so troubled when he heard about it that he tried to find and kill the baby Jesus (VV. 3-4, 16). Most people, however, were unaware of the significance of what had happened.

Still today, multitudes honour Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But, many others hate him. They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols in shopping malls and the display of nativity scenes in public place. Others are apathetic. They go along with the celebration of the season. They may join in singing Christmas carols. But, they never ask themselves who Jesus is or why he came. They don't think of their need to believe in Him and receive him as their Saviour.

Are you among the indifferent? To ignore him and his claims is to reject him. Christmas demands a decision about Christ. The choice is yours.

The whole meaning of God taking our flesh is that we should learn what God is like and how the life of God can be lived in our world; the world into which Jesus came was a world of sickness and suffering, wickedness and hate, treachery and deceitfulness. There were many things of which he could have been afraid. His secret was that he had such complete trust in his Father's love and power that fearlessness was rooted in his complete confidence that his Father loved him and would not allow anything to happen to him unless it accorded with his purposes.

Christmas focuses on the fact that when we link ourselves by faith to Jesus Christ what we receive is not a prince or some vague inner trembling in our consciousness. What we receive is Jesus himself. His coming was not limited to the first century by his Spirit he is with us still. Grace!

The Grand, divine, gesture of reconciliation comes alive in Christian hearts during this special festival. Warmth and kindness temper once hostilities and mend many a broken and lonely heart. This is the time, where we should extend our hand to at least one person in the cold, lonely and alone, to some young wife or mother to whom Christmas is just a tragic dream with only sad memories for comfort?

Let no one say at this Christmas "No room" to anybody who comes knocking at your door. Let us not forget the many thousands who mourn and cry for their loved ones dead and injured and dead in a deadly war, and to whom Christmas is just a memory. Just as the Angels were sent to proclaim the joyous news of the birth of a Saviour, let us cast aside our petty racial differences, banish all hate, bitterness and revenge, and sponsor permanent peace.

If Christmas is really going to be a celebration of Christ's birth, then we should allow his peace and love to temper our hostilities and mend our injuries. Let us extend our hand to at least, one person in the cold. If we can mend one broken relationship. If we can reconcile one family, then you can be sure that your Christmas will indeed be a genuine one.

The world incarnates itself in the simplicity, hiddenness and the obscurity of a stable. The nativity scene recaptures something of the original harmony of the paradise; it restores and reconciles the estranged relationship due to the sin of Adam amidst all the regional, caste and class conflicts of today. Can we ever realize and live the deeper meaning of incarnation? If the differences are respected and reconciled without being annihilated we could realise it.

I believe that man is not merely a creature thrown up by nature in the process of an evolutionary gamble. He has a special meaning, a special mission, and a unique role. His divinity encased in the human frame. It is he who motivates man, so man is a unit of that unity; he is a child of immortality, set in the background of this moral world. In this mortal frame, his mission is to merge in the god from whom he has emerged.

Let us pray with Pope John the XXIIIrd of revered memory.

"O sweet child of Bethlehem, grant that

We may share with all our hearts

In this profound mystery of Christmas.

Put into the hearts of men this peace

For which they sometimes seek so desperately,

And which you alone can give them.

Help them to know one another better,

Children of the same father".

Reveal to them also your beauty,

Holiness and purity.

Awaken in their hearts love and

Gratitude for your infinite goodness.

Join them all together in your love.

And grant us your heavenly peace. Amen.