Finally Christmas
season has come where every young and old enjoys this seasons of greetings. I
am constrained to share a few thoughts which we seldom realize or question ourselves
during this season. It may sound silly for some people but the other side of
Christmas is practical and we need to ponder over it. Christmas is the season
to share our love, concerns, care, peace, joy, etc. etc every good tiding. Let
us see what happens on the other side of Christmas.
1.
Widows,
widowers, orphans: During this festive season their only
wish is “IF”. They wish for if their husband is there to comfort them, their
wife is there to prepare best meal for them, their parents were there to buy
them new cloths. They do not expect big things either. What do we do for them
during this season? Yes, surely we cannot replace their loved ones yet we can
still show our love to them. My dear wealthy people this is just for your
information that these poor kids they admire the colorful package of gifts that
you exchange among you, and most of all your beautiful decorated house, walls, trees within your campus. They don’t expect expensive gifts. Church, what do we
really do for these people? Jesus mission is for the upliftment of the poor and
down trodden but the paradox is on his (Jesus) birthday we fail to recognize
the needs of the needy.
2.
Hospitals,
Jail, Orphanage etc.: There are so many people who spend
their Christmas in despair. They too wanted to enjoy but the circumstances do
not permit. How many of us give thoughts to visit these people. There are some people
and organizations that do commendable jobs and I appreciate for that, but in
common it is seldom practiced. During Christmas many people especially youths
and children go around caroling and raise funds. One day I asked to a certain
group what was the purpose of raising fund, then they replied that it is for
their picnic. “Oh my God” I wonder, if at all fund raising is necessary why don’t
we raise fund and comfort these people in hospitals, jails and share the love
of God? These are the people who need someone to come to their places, they
cannot come to us. Jesus came to heal the sick, to give comfort to the
destitute, to release the captives. What are we doing on his birthday?
3.
Poor
neighbors and poor people in the church: God purposefully let
coexist of both rich and poor in the society and it is God’s politics that the
rich people can receive God’s blessing by helping the poor and needy (Mat.
19:21). Once I met one aunty who was collecting the used cloths from the
relatives to give to some people. I appreciate her altruistic work but I asked
her why not new cloths or at least good ones because some cloths were beyond repairable,
she said “itu bi taikhan nimite khub ase” (This is good enough for them). My
question is “is it taboo for the poor children to wear new cloths?” Just
imagine the cost of the fire crackers (bomb) that you spend just to burst in
the air. Yes it’s your money your wish, but have you ever give thoughts what
kind of cloths is your neighbors children are wearing. Church, what have we
done for the poor people in the church? Unfortunately they are the one who gets
least share even during Christmas feast. No one bothers about their presence
and absence rather we have more concern about the rich and influential people
whether they are enjoying or not, what an irony it is?
4.
Servants
and helpers at home: Jesus came to this earth to release the
captives and freed the bondage of slavery. Christmas message is the message of
liberty (Luke 4:18). On the other hand Christmas is the most hectic and most
boredom seasons for the servants at home, why? You gather your family, friends,
and loved ones and enjoy the feast but you never give thoughts that your servants
are being pressurized. Yes, I do not demand for equal status but at least on
this occasion why don’t you give a try to see how is your preparation taste
like? Giving some rest to your servants on Christmas will be a great sermon on
your part.
5.
Pollution:
The fireworks, crackers, bomb gives much pollution. We do not see and touch the
air therefore we do not realize how much we inhale it. It is a great threat not
only for the human beings but all livestock’s and plants too. God assigned us
to be the good stewards towards His creation (Gen. 1:26-30) but we instead of
guarding them we are destroying them.
6.
Tragedy:
Every year on the eve of Christmas accident takes place and most of the cases
are recorded of rash driving with the influences of alcohol. Jesus came to give
life but we took life, what is it? The worst tragedy is again loosing of souls
especially youth. Many youth during this season get involves in unwanted
activities, immoralities and go astray from God. The paradox here is Jesus came
to save the lost souls but we lost the saved souls. My dear church leaders why
don’t you do something to save both lives and souls of this generation.
The message of Christmas
is expected to be full of love, joy, peace, etc. The sermon delivered in the
church alone is not a Christmas message but we as Christians our life itself is
a message. If we are for Christ where is the message of Christ in us? Just
remember the other side of Christmas is always bitter. Let us not think only
for ourselves but see what is going on besides us. Had Jesus not been born the
world would have been still under the bondage of darkness but is he who changed
the world history, let us be the agent of change.
