The true intent of Christmas

Pastor Letlal Haokip *

P. Doungel, IPS and present DGP of Manipur showed his love for disabled people in Manipur by spending his precious time and presenting them with Christmas gifts.

As we are all anticipating the upcoming Christmas, we may have thoughts on "how am I going to spend this Christmas".

Many northeast people are busy preparing for the Christmas feast that usually lasts for 2 to 3 days. But for many people, Christmas is a time for family. Visiting and eating love feasts with loved ones is how most people celebrate Christmas around the world.

As we prepare, let us look at a few Bible verses on how we are supposed to spend Christmas 2022. We saw distraught incidents where many people became orphans and widows during the last years due to Covid-19.

The true Gospel according to the book of James 1:27, NIV is, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". 1 Timothy 5:3-16 also says, “Caring for widows and those in need." Are you preparing to spend your busy and precious time with widows, orphans and the disabled? Have you included these in your Christmas budget?

Hundreds of years back, a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ wrote a prayer which was written for the service of ‘Nine Lessons with Carols’ for Kings College, Cambridge in 1918,

“Beloved in Christ, be it this Christmastide our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger. Therefore let us read and mark in the Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all His people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church, He came to build...And because this of all things would rejoice His heart, let us remember, in His name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love Him not, or who by sin have grieved His heart of love…”

This prayer has been a blessing to many people as it reminds us of the true purpose of Christmas. Many people around the world practically follow it by showing their love, care and concern for the people who are poor, needy, who are widows, orphans and disabled.

It is also very encouraging to see many people spend their hard-earned money and show compassion and extended love to widows, orphans, the disabled and sick people during this Christmas season. Lord Jesus Christ wants us to spend our Christmas loving, caring and helping others like the wise men who came to Him with gifts. We see these acts through the legacy of people like Mother Teresa, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkatta, India, in 1950.

It is very encouraging to see many well-known personalities become torchbearers in keeping the legacy of the Lord Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa. Recently Mr P. Doungel, IPS and the present DGP of Manipur showed his love for disabled people in Manipur by spending his precious time and presenting them with Christmas gifts.

Let us all try to spend our Christmas 2022 praying for harmony on earth and benevolence among all the people. Let us love, care and show consideration for the widows, orphans, disabled and sick by going to them with our family or church members and showing our concern by presenting love presents.