CHRISTMAS EFFECT: A Re-visit to Bethlehem


CHRISTMAS EFFECT: A Re-visit to Bethlehem



Fr Paul Lelen Haokip
            As December sets in, consideration for Christmas is in the air. Shops and decorations; talks and programme are directed towards the birth of Jesus, which Christians popularly know as Christmas. Mixed feelings of being together, being separated, strickened with sickness or poverty, etc., are realities. To have an effect is to realize what one is capable of doing. It is becoming, time to experience unconditional love of God in our fragile life. Christ is the reason for Christmas. Personally, let us attempt Christmas Effect.
WHY SHOULD JESUS BE BORN?
            Jesus was born fulfilling prophecies, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look the virgin is with child, and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). His birth at Bethlehem threatened King Herod, brought death to thousands of children. Innocent blood spilt, fear unleased, jealousy mounted, uncertainty everywhere. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Christmas is a time we commemorate the birth of a Messiah (Luke 2:11) who said to Mary, “Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Jesus was born for a purpose. Have you found the purpose of your birth?
MOTHERHOOD OF MARY
            Mary was a chosen woman and exalted above all humanity on earth. She exclaimed with joy saying, “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed…” (Luke 1:46-55). Being a mother, she accompanied her beloved son Jesus in his ministry. On the cross, Jesus entrusted her to John saying, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home (John 19:27). Jesus knew that the poor, orphans and widows were not properly taken care in his society. So, he entrusted his mother to John. You can’t speak of Jesus without his mother. You can’t think of yourself without your mother.

MASS OF CHRIST
            The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on 25th December was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor. A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December. The name 'Christmas' comes from the “Mass of Christ”. A Mass service which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life. The 'Christ-Mass' service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), so people had it at Midnight. Now, we get the name ‘Christ-Mass’, shortened to ‘Christmas’. Therefore, technically speaking, if you are not able to join Holy Eucharist/Mass on 25th December, you are not celebrating Christmas. When you are able to feel the sacrifice of Jesus for you and others, then Christmas begins. Rather than mere material celebration, it is communion of persons sharing feelings, pains, joys and concerns. This is one of the reasons, the Church observes Advent Season to tune oneself towards preparation to welcome Jesus through works of charity, gestures of love, personal preparation and sanctity of life.
            The Jewish festival of Lights, Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev, the month in the Jewish calendar that occurs at about the same time as December. Hanukkah celebrates when the Jewish people were able to re-dedicate and worship again in their Jerusalem Temple (1 Maccabees 4:36-59; John 10:22-23), following many years of not being allowed to practice their religion. Jesus was a Jew, so this could be another reason that helped the early Church choose 25th December for the date of Christmas.
BENEFITS OF CHRISTMAS
            After a year of hard work, it is time to harvest and enjoy the fruit of labour in the form of grains and livestock. Thanksgiving to God for the past year is also a relevant topic of discussion, meditation and reason. Time to relax and interact with family and neighbours with food festivities. It provides a time for personal deep reflection that life is short and it is moving. The winter birth, acceptance, rejection, crucifixion of Jesus are reminders for his followers. “They will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons” (Luke 21:12). Christmas is a time of witness than defence; forgiveness than revenge; gratitude than pride. It provides a time of ingathering of the blessings of God, reflections of what one has been in the course of the year.

EFFECTIVE OR DEFECTIVE CHRISTIANS
            There are many effective Christians. On the opposite pole, namesake, hurtful, selfish, revengeful, untruthful, self-righteous Christians are rising. We pray for conversion. When all Christians behave like Christ, this world would be a better place to live in. If you are a person who has “transformed families and communities by the power of your witness,” (Gaudate Et Exsultate, 12) in bringing joy, forgiveness, love and care, you are an effective Christian. “Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church” (GE, 14).
CHRISTMAS EFFECT ON ONESELF
            “There is only one corner of the universe I can be certain of improving, and that’s my own self” said Aldous Huxley. A journey without terminus and a celebration without meaning is not worth it. Pope Francis reminds us, “It is not healthy to love silence while fleeing interaction with others, to want peace and quiet while avoiding activity, to seek prayer while disdaining service” (GE, 26). Effect of Christmas can come by our interaction, activity and service. “Otherness” may be an effect.


(The writer can be reached at:  paulhowkeep@yahoo.co.in/paullelenhaokip@gmail.com/https://paullelenhaokip.blogspot.com/)


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