The Season has a Reason…

The season has a reason for celebration – His name is Jesus Christ and He was born in a manger, the humblest of the humble surroundings. He came neither ostentatious nor wealthy. He preached liberty and freedom in Him. He set the captives free from all kinds of bondages – physical, emotional and spiritual. He stood for the helpless and lived a life of humility not timidity, trusting completely in His father. He set an example for his people to follow.

He preached love – we are to love not only those who love us but also those who hate us and want to do us evil. He preached turning the other cheek when slapped on one. His was a love fallen mankind could not comprehend with their natural senses. They had to see Him and understand Him through their spiritual eyes.

Share the goodwill

Jesus Christ is the Reason for the Season. Because He came as a babe in a manger, we celebrate Christmas. But that’s not very important for the revelers today. They celebrate a kind of Christmas that has little or nothing to do with Jesus. It is no longer an occasion celebrated with love amidst friends and family.

The shopping, the celebrations, the decorations – the sumptuous meals that could in reality feed hundreds of poor families. The kind of money spent on the baubles and the shimmer…the party is on but the birthday boy is the last on most people’s mind.

A thought to be spared for the poor is far and in between. There are those who find the time and the desire to share the goodwill of the season with the poor but they are not in the majority.

Christmas is just a few days away. There are so many children who long to celebrate Christmas with fathers and mothers absent in their lives. There are children who wish for a gift that would make their whole year. They long for little but significant things. Some wait for a whole year in anticipation of a Christmas gift.

The spirit of Christmas is to be shared and exchanged – it must ideally come with love and the gift of giving present of love. Whether giving of time for the sick in hospitals, for the lonely elderly or the ones who wish they could go to church even though in reality they cannot ,due to various reasons.

Whether giving financially or materially for the have-nots. Spreading the cheer of the Season calls for a renewing of the mind. Let the Christ Child spread His love in all of us. Even if we haven’t thought of doing something for the others before, let us start now. It is never too late for a little love to be spread.

Renew relationships

Let us choose to see this Christmas through the eyes of the Christ child. Let us close our eyes for a moment and let ourselves be set apart for doing something good for someone.

It could be as simple as taking a lonely neighbour a Christmas meal. Or buying a small gift for someone who cannot afford it but likes getting gifts all the same.

Volunteer to spend the time during the Season with the sick in hospitals, sing carols for the old folk at a home for the aged. Play Santa at a party for the sick or for kids who do not have parents. One single act of kindness can warm our hearts and confirm everything God did for us through Christ Jesus.

Christmas is also a time to let the wounds heal. Let there be harmony - let bygones be bygones and renew relationships for 2012. Call that aunt who has fallen out - send a Christmas greeting to someone who has fallen out with you this year. The spirit of Christmas soothes away pain, mends wounded hearts and brings the balm of healing upon strained relationships. Let us share the spirit of the Season - and remember the Reason for the Season - the birth of Jesus Christ who personified God’s love for mankind, in the flesh.

Merry Chrismas!