Jesus: The Reason for Christmas Season

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Published on : 27 Dec, 18 08:12

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son Jesus, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is the focal tenet of Christmas which often gets sidelined or diluted in the worldly Christmas celebrations. This is mainly because the consumerism has made Christmas into a commercial venture that focuses merely on peripherals such as the Christmas tree, the Santa Clause and simply indulging in buying and shopping that is never ending. While it is wonderful that at Christmas billions of people around the Globe exchange gifts, visit families and loved ones and create an atmosphere of goodwill and cheer, it is relevant to understand that Christmas is the Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the gift of God to the whole world. God became one of us, a human being because of his saving love for each of us. Jesus came to forgive our sins, reconcile us with God and give eternal life to all those who put their trust in Him.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, wise men and kings realised that this was no ordinary baby and paid their visit with precious gifts. Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time of healing and renewed strength. Christmas is the story of truth, love, and hope. Jesus was born in a world where ignorance, greed, hatred, hypocrisy and misery prevailed. In the midst of these conditions, Christ’s birth brought the good news of salvation for humankind bringing forth the values of generosity, unselfish love, charity and forgiveness. His birth changed the world, and today even after more than 2,000 years later it still has the power to change us.
Jesus has been bestowed upon several titles such as ‘Prince of Peace,’ ‘Everlasting Father,’ ‘Mighty God,’ and ‘Wonderful Counsellor’. Unless we truly follow the spirit of Christmas, it will be just another superfluous celebration. W. T. Ellis has beautifully said, ‘It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.’ Jesus enhances our lives with values that are beyond compare. His life manifests victory over evil by destroying the works of the devil. This Christmas therefore urges us to put on the values of Jesus and make his birth relevant even today. We need to make mature choices in our day to day lives based on the values and be accountable for the actions that follow. We need to understand that Jesus lived a life in the essence of love that was beyond the boundaries of time or culture. His life was a life of unconditional love and sacrifice. His love pushes us to cling to things that seek betterment of all; something better in relationships, something better in answering the needs of our culture, more effective, more efficient. His is a love that extends beyond ourselves and reaches out to others, and impacts the common good of all.Let us make this Christmas a special by receiving the gifts of love, joy and peace freely given by Jesus in our lives. Let us spread the message of giving, sharing and caring for one another and receive true joy and peace in our lives. Lao Tzu has wonderfully said, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Let Jesus Christ be the reason for our celebration of Christmas this season.
Wish you a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2019.
Dr. A. F. Pinto, Chairman,
Ryan International Group of Institutions