As we celebrate Christmas will this be our best Christmas than the previous year? If we reflect what Christmas rally is, then we should realize that it is not something that happened many years ago in a far off land. Christmas is something that is happening – it means not only that God became man was born of a human infant on that first night in Bethlehem, but also that He intended to be born in us, provided we die to sin and allow the life that is Him, as the divine vine, to flow unto us, the human branches.
Let’s question ourselves – Will it matter if Christ to be born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, if He is not born in our hearts? – If we were good and progressive there would have been no need for Christ to come on earth to make men good. For those who are well does not need a doctor. If we were right with the world; God would have stayed in heaven. But His presence to be born in the crib in Bethlehem is a witness not to our progress, but to our misery and suffering.
Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, in one of his general audience has said: “Christmas is the feast of the family, gathered round the crib and the Christmas tree; Christmas is the feast of children, because it reveals the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the birth of the Messiah; Christmas is the feast of peace, because true peace has come down to us from heaven; Christmas is also the feast of gifts, where we can imagine the joy of those, both children and adults who, receiving a Christmas gift, will feel loved”.
Yes, Christmas is a season of exchanging gifts with relatives and friends. But Christmas day is just one day. Before the season is over, children will have discarded their toys. Grown-ups will be tired of showing their presents to one another, but let us remember that our Lord came to this poor earth of ours to exchange gifts with each one of us. Jesus says to us, “You give me your humanity and I WILL GIVE YOU MY DIVINITY; you give me your time and I WILL GIVE YOU MY ETERNITY; you give me your weary body and I WILL GIVE YOU REDEMPTION; you give me your broken heart and I WILL GIVE YOU LOVE; you give me your nothingness and I WILL GIVE YOU MY ALL”.
Jesus reminds us that He has come to stay with us forever. As we celebrate his birthday this year, let us promise to keep him more and more with us. Let us feel that He has grown in our hearts and our lives and show His presence through greater devotion, gentleness and generosity, as we deal with others, showing humility and patience in our daily rubs and worries of life. Thus we will we proudly be able to say:
“THIS CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN THE BETTER THAN LAST YEAR”.
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