Christmas, a message of peace and love
By Zou Hanru

The Christian community celebrate the Christmas throughout the world today with enthusiasm and religious fervour.
Jesus Christ was born to sacred and virtuous Virgin Mary some 2006 years ago on this earth, the abode of the mortals, we, the children of Adam and Eve, the parents of whole humankind.
The day starts with midnight mass on December 24 when Church bells toll to herald the birth of Baby Jesus besides jingling of bells, glittering Christmas tress stockings, and Xmas carol songs.
Christmas is celebrated with great fervour, festivity and religious piety. At times people are so lost in the celebrations that there is a serious danger they might neglect the real meaning and significance of Christmas.
Jesus Christ was born in accordance with the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets.
The same message was conveyed to Saint Joseph separately in a dream by an angel. (Matthew 1:20). At the birth of Jesus, an angel announced to the world through the shepherds, “... I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord”. Even though centuries have passed, this message of Christmas, which is the real one for the happiness of all mankind, has not been given attention it deserves.
To give glory to God: first of all it is to accept that there is a supreme being who is Creator, and at the same time a loving father for all mankind. Trust in the father paves the way to finding solutions to all human problems. This brings peace to our earth, peace which is not merely the absence of tragedies and trials, but the fullness of peace that brings happiness to man’s life in the world”.
This peace is possible only when there is goodwill toward all men and women, irrespective of their caste, colour, creed or language. According to the Christian belief, Christmas is the celebration of belief that God descended on the earth to spread peace and love on it. But we often fail to recognise the immense generosity of God’s love which alone can bring peace and happiness to mankind.
The Christmas celebrations remained incomplete without Santa Claus. Children anxiously wait for red-suited Santa Claus to deliver their gifts.
The occasion also provides an opportunity to the affluent class to share their joys with the poor as on behalf of them gifts are distributed to those who can not afford. Setting up of “Crib” is another tradition without which the Christmas is incomplete. According to the Biblical faith, Christ was born in a wooden manger in the city of Bethlehem— the chosen place— for which Mary (Bibi Mariam) and Joseph had to travel hundreds of miles. Crib symbolizes the wooden manger where the Christ was born. It is set up in the churches and at homes to educate the uneducated the story of Christ’s birth. Sine long, it has become the integral part of Christmas celebrations.
The tradition of decorating Christmas tree was first introduced in German and gradually became one of prime emblems of Christmas feasts. Today, the erection of beautifully adorned Christmas trees on major public spots, hotels and commercial centres marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
Christmas is the feast of love the Scripture says, “God is love” (1-John 4:8) and “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have ever last life” (John 3:16). Jesus Christ is love incarnate. He taught to love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the fulfilment of all law (Shariah) Romans 13:8).
It is written in the Scripture “if I speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but have not love, I am a noisy gang or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all “knowledge.... and if deliver my body to be burned, but not love, I gain nothing” (Romans 13: 1-3).
The Scripture further says, “let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love”.
The Scripture further says, “let us love one another for love is of God and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.”
Jesus Christ completely identified Himself with the poor, the hungry, the needy, the sick, the marginalised, the disadvantaged, the deprived and asked people that if they love him, they need to love people of categories described above (Matthew 25).
It is need of the hour to light the candle of love and peace amidst the darkness of social evils such as selfishness, poverty, hunger, hatred. These evils have taken the whole world as their hostage. We should strictly follow the message and love of our Lord Jesus Christ and share happiness with the poor, downtrodden, sick, neglected and deprived classes of society as God loves those who loves their fellow human beings specially those who deserves our care, attention and love. It is necessary because in this materialistic world where everyone is madly running after materialistic gains.
Happy Christmas to all of you and a blessed New Year.

—Ambrose Josephs Pillay (APP)