A Saviour was born in the City of David...

T V Pereira

The eventful birth of Jesus Christ which occurred in a humble manger in Bethlehem, is celebrated as an annual commemoration by billions of Catholics and Christians throughout the world as a religious event on December 25th. According to the Gospel of St. Mathew as recorded in the Holy Bible the event occurred thus:

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which she conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Then Joseph being aroused from sleep did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took him his wife and did not know her till she had brought forth her first born son and he called His name Jesus.’ Mathew 1:18-25

The news of the birth of Jesus Christ was relayed by a throng of angels to shepherds who were watching their flock by night. Great fear arose in the minds of the shepherds who saw the astonishing bright light. But the angels allayed their fears and gave them the glad tidings with the message that they would find the new born babe wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a manger. The shepherds who set out immediately were the first to visit baby Jesus.

Next came the Magi – three wise men – who studied the bright star in the sky and concluded that a prince was born. They went to the royal palace and when King Herod heard this, he was greatly disturbed. The Magi finally found Mary with Jesus, worshipped Him and presented the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh which they had brought, a symbolic gesture to a King who in the future will sacrifice His life to save sinners. Though He was connected to the clan of David, the King to be born to this world did not choose the royal palace or the lineage of the royalty but preferred a poor carpenter Joseph to be His foster father and Mary a young virgin, as His earthly mother.

Celebrations

From Jesus Christ's traditional birthplace, the ancient town of Bethlehem to the sun washed beaches of Australia, Christians take time off to celebrate Christmas. They visit churches, chapels, cathedrals spread all over, for midnight church service to celebrate the birth of the Christ in union with their colleagues and fellowmen. The day sees people visiting relatives, friends and neighbours to share with them the seasonal cake and wine followed by the lavish lunch and dinner.

Santa Claus is a feature in any Christmas celebration. According to folklore, Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas is a plump, white-bearded jolly old man dressed in red and brings children presents on Christmas Eve. He travels in a sleigh which flies through the sky drawn by eight reindeer whose names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (or Donner) and Blitzen. According to a tradition which can be traced to the 1820s Santa Claus lived in the North Pole with a large number of magical elves who made the toys and presents for the children in the world. In Britain, Santa Claus dates back at least as far as the 17th century and pictures of him survive portraying him as a jolly, well nourished bearded man dressed in a long, green coloured fur-lined robe. He typifies the spirit of good cheer at Christmas. In the United States and Canada, children traditionally leave Santa a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. In Britain and Australia he is sometimes given sherry and mince pies. In Sweden and Norway children leave rice porridge. In Ireland it is popular to give him Guinness or milk along with Christmas pudding or mince pies.

Christmas Cards

Christmas would not be complete without Christmas cards. Christmas cards which typically end up as part of Christmas decorations can be purchased in nearly every conceivable style. Christmas cards are a perfect way of telling those you care for, that you are thinking of them during Christmas. It is generally accepted that the first Christmas card was created in 1843 in England by Sir Henry Cole. Each copy was hand coloured. Christmas cards represent warm wishes and thoughts of peace towards those we know and care. The contents of the designs might relate directly to the Christmas narrative with depiction of the Nativity or Jesus or have Christmas symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem or a white dove representing both the Holy Spirit and peace. Animated colourful and vocal Christmas cards have become more popular than ever. Although E.Cards are beginning to take over the industry most people still prefer to receive the hard copy.

Message of Love

In Bethlehem, thousands of Christians turn out to pray in the Church of the Nativity at which a grotto marks the traditional site of Christ's birth. The festivity of Christmas brings to the world the glad tidings of the Prince of Peace, more than two millennia ago. The message of love, kindness and forgiveness given to man by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has spread throughout the world transcending all barriers of country, nationality, race, ethnicity and language.

The birth of the child Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem signifies the wider vision of Christian love which seek to embrace all sentient beings and the generous gifts of nature. The spirit of Christmas has greater meaning as it reaches out to comfort the poor and distresses among humans to protect all beings that share this earth and is celebrated with the simplicity of life that underlines Christian teaching.

If the celebrations of Christmas is to become meaningful for Christians, it has to be focused in the light of realities of the turmoil in the world. After Christmas celebrations tend to become totally secular in mood, devoid of any religious flavour. While it may be in order to celebrate Christmas with the singing of carols and other customary religious practices, it is imperative that people refrain from unwarranted extravagances and rather concentrate on cultivating the real spirit of Christmas that calls for a change in lives with concentration on charity and love. A deep reflection of the meaning of Christmas should bring Christians to realize the purpose for which Christ came to earth. He came to redeem the world of sin and unless that is going to be the objective of celebrations the whole effort would be devoid of the meaning.

What is so significant about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was that His birth had been foretold for 4,000 years prior to that in such detail that even the calendar of time itself bears the mark of separation into BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini). These two time periods correspond to the Old and New Testament recorded events in the Bible. The foretelling and forthtelling in scripture happened with remarkable and unwavering accuracy in the events of the life of Jesus.

Being born in a stable in Bethlehem was just one of about 300 such inspired words being fulfilled.

Bethlehem means home of bread, where David the shepherd psalmist lived. Lambs for special festival sacrifices were selected from Bethlehem. Jesus was called the ‘Lamb of God’ and the ‘Living Bread’.

The Message of Christmas is unique in that it did not come from the warring parties who were in conflict on the land at that time. It came as good tidings of great joy to all people from the unseen eternal reality.

“For there is born to you this day in the City of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.”

It is a message of continuing fulfillment even after the Christmas season is over.