The First Christmas

Bienhome Muivah *

Christmas Eve at Imphal, Manipur on 24 December 2013 :: Pix - Ashok Ninghoujam / Gnet Cyber Cafe

I believe the first Christmas wasn't as beautiful and attractive as we make it today. For instance, clean and hygienic hospitals, high-tech medical equipments and the so called generation treatment/medication etc. in many ways it was a very frightening event because Bethlehem was the most dangerous place if the newly born baby happened to be a boy.

The baby Jesus was born under a frightening situation. We can recall the gruesome tragedy that entailed the birth of Jesus Christ. History has labeled the event, 'the slaughter of the innocent' (Mt. 2).

Jealousy, hatred and violence stand out most prominently in the story. It is, surely a great irony that such evils should take place behind the great birth of the Prince of Peace.

We can vividly recall the uncontrollable anger of Herod when he realized that he had been tricked/deceived by the Magi. His anger knew no bounds and immediately an order was issued to slaughter all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping a great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more" (Mt. 2:16-18).

I believe, to many of us, Christmas' story make us to realize that in this world we cannot avoid evil, because evil too exists but goodness will always triumph as Jesus comes out victorious and triumphant over the evil forces. The radiance and glory of Jesus overshadowed all the dark forces, and evil receded in the background.

The Bible did clearly mention the works of the evil and that's a fact. But the love of God covers up and the ugly has turned into a beautiful one. And that is the essence of the Christmas story. In fact the right words to describe the act seem hard but we can say, it was barbaric, bloody, hideous, gruesome and inhuman.

In other words it was indescribably cruel, when we look at Herod's nature we are at once reminded how evil the world is. When evil reign in our hearts, we become sick, old and fatal. Jealousy blinds us to see the good things around us. The only act we resort to is to eliminate like what King Herod did.

All he desires was power, he cannot tolerate anyone above him. Human life meant nothing to him. The great historian Josephus called him 'barbaric' another writer named him 'the malevolent maniac', yet another called him 'the great monster'.

In the midst of great evil happening around at that time, a sweet calm, and gentle baby Jesus lies in a manger, ready to perform His Father's will.

The slaughter of the babies reminds us again why Christ had to be born. When the angel told Joseph about Mary's pregnancy he instructed him to give the name Jesus, "because He will save his people from their sins" (Mt. 1:21).

So friends, God is in control of every detail in the universe. He is the sovereign Lord. Now coming back to the 1st Christmas, in a sense they symbolize the ongoing battle between God and Satan.

Let's remember that same battle of evil and good continues till today and will go on until the day Jesus returns and defeats evil once and for all.

Remember again that the world system cannot kill the soul of a person who believes in Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to welcome Jesus this Christmas? Don't let go of this Christmas without accepting Jesus as your savior.

Merry Christmas!