Christmas: A time of connection

Rev Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

Christmas Carol by Bethany Baptist Church Namguilong , New Checkon on 23 December 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

INTRODUCTION:

Winter season invites people to a colourful way of life though the needed dress to meet the biting cold and the festive lights with Santa Claus around or his typical cap at least. Celebrations are around, though the habit of sending cards is lesser with the advent of mobile cell phones. Preparations are seen at villages wishing and greeting people the joys of Christ's birth and the peace of his life.

Animals are having a hard time and the poor are trying their best to contribute towards the minimum contribution at the village level. It's all celebration. Family is complete for prayer and celebration. We hear the angels shout "Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in a the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." This truly sound Christmas.

THE ROLE OF SANTA CLAUS AT CHRISTMAS:

You won't go for a wedding celebration and return without meeting the bride and groom. All the lights, decorations, personnel at the celebration are just part of the wedding. The main persons are the bride and groom. Santa Claus is not the hero of Christmas. He is just a simple catholic priest called Fr Nicholas who later became the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor during the first half of 4th century.

His generosity to help has depicted him with a big bag with gifts for others. We can also imitate him in his generosity. After his death, the Myra Christians honoured his memory by leaving surprise gifts for their children by their bedside during the night before his anniversary (6th December). This tradition gradually got transferred to our Christmas and "Saint Nicholas" has in popular parlance been known as "Santa Claus".

FAMILY UNION:

It's a common sight for the 2.2 billion Christians to come home together during Christmas for a festive celebration to renew their faith and commitment to Christ, the saviour of the world. The celebration of Christmas is the meeting of the babe Jesus at the stable at Bethlehem. You can expect to meet his beloved parents – Joseph and Mary. Will you go back home just meeting the newly born Jesus without meeting His parents who take care of Him? I hope, not. You could possibly meet the whole family for a 'Complete and Connected Christmas'.

THE CHANCE OF MEETING PEOPLE AT THE CHURCH OR SOCIETY LEVEL:

All the programmes of Christmas are centered on people and their welfare. The Holy Eucharist, worship, prayer services, Easter Vigil, Christmas – Dawn Mass, the Christmas Octave, the social gatherings etc are all people oriented celebrations. There is not only physical meeting but spiritual meeting between God and His people. The sponsorships and contributions can also be called 'financial meeting' for a fuller social celebration. These are but some of the unavoidable parts of Christmas celebration.

A NEW WAY OF LIFE IS OFFERED:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined…for to us is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder and his name will be called "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". This is the grace of God offered to our sinful humanity at every Christmas. Our salvation has come. We shall be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought out, a City not forsaken.

CONCLUSION:

Keep the spirit of connection. The hill people come down in thousands to the valley to purchase goods. A personal connection established. The valley people offer them "Christmas discount" or "Christmas gift" during purchase – indeed a sign of love. The tribals come down to procure to enhance their celebration. The valley dwellers make good sale to facilitate the Christmas celebration.

If all of us are in this spirit of peace and brotherly love, Manipur would be a happier place to live in. We strongly need this kind of emotional connection.

Let us have more celebrations of connection rather than seminars of division. "Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me; and who ever welcomes me, also welcomes the one who sent me" (Luke 9:48).

Wishing you all a Peaceful Christmas and Better Year to visit your life. We get connected to the Father (God) through the son (Jesus).