“For God so loved the world that he gave his
only beloved son, that whosoever believe in him wouldn’t perish, but would have
eternal life. ” ----John 3:16
You take winter season, which is one of the
most romantic seasons. One of the most waited season in Nagpur. A season to
curdle-up in your bed with blankets, wear your favorite pull-over jackets and
scarf’s, lazy mornings and feel that sweet chilled wind brushing past your hair.
Now just add a chunk of holidays into it. Do I
see a hint of smile on your face? Yes I do. You don’t have to study, no work,
no college, no waking up early and hot coffee in evening with friends.
No how about we garnish it with some gifts. We
add celebration, cake, chocolate and pastry to it. Now add the birth of Jesus
Christ to decorate it. The bliss that
you feel around you, this magical shinning happiness that you see around, the
inner happiness that radiates out of you is known as Christmas. Christmas is
not just a festival it’s a celebration. It’s one of the best ways to end a year
that has been full of ups and down. A way to thank the almighty for all that
you have achieved throughout the year, but more than that it’s about asking
forgiveness for your mistakes. It’s the time to pray with family and disturbing
your catholic friends throughout the day for plum cakes.
It’s one
of the reason why this is my favorite season not only because it the birthday
of our savior Jesus Christ but more so because it is the favorite festival of
all my friends. Many of my friends have showed interest in coming to church on
Christmas and I take them happily. And the one thing that I have learned from
it is that everyone is curious and animated about Christmas. The enthusiasm
that I see in them just makes this festival even more special for me. I feel so
proud when they try to understand the meaning of Christmas as I explain it to
them.
There
are so many beautiful aspects of Christmas that makes it one of the most loved
festivals all over the world. But as long as I remember Christmas for me is
going to the Midnight mass prayers with my family to celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ and welcoming him into this world and more than that into our hearts.
This is a visible message of Christmas, something that a person on the outside
or an individual of different religious faith can see, feel and experience. But
there is much deeper meaning of Christmas that lies under its glitz and
shinning celebration. You can see it
only if you walk a bit slow in life. If we care to see around ourselves rather
than just focusing on our goals and running after them then only it’s visible.
The real message of Christmas is about giving
and it can also be very clearly understood from the above bible verses from the
Gospel of Apostle John. The Almighty gave the world his own beloved son. And the whole idea of Santa Claus is based on
the idea of giving.
Some might say that there is no such thing as
Santa Claus but if you go back in history the story of Santa Claus is as true
as the history itself. The legend of Santa Claus was born in 4th
century. There was a Saint known as Saint Nicholas of Myra. He was born in Patara,
turkey in 280 AD. It was believed that he lost both is parents at very young
age and used the inherited wealth from them in helping the poor and orphan
children in Myra. A very famous story of
St. Nicholas says that there was a poor man who had 3 daughters. He could not
afford to marry off them as he didn’t have enough money. One day as St. Nicholas
was walking past the poor man’s house he heard the family praying to God. So
the next day St. Nicholas dropped a sack of gold down his chimney. More over
the legend goes that he did the same for the following two years as well and
the man eventually could marry off all 3 of his daughters.
Another story that is famous about St. Nicholas
is about how he would go around the city of Myra and distribute gifts to poor
homeless and orphan children in the dark night.
This is how the legend of gift giving was born
with Christmas and this is exactly what Christmas means. I remember last year I
happen to meet a very old friend of mine. She brought a group of kids to
Seminary hills grotto. They were there to give warm clothes and blankets to the
priest so that it could be distributed to the needful. And the kids were more
excited than her, carrying the blankets in their own hands.
The message here is not that you give away your
old and useless stuff but give needy the needful and there is a big difference
in both. The real joy of giving comes from the realization that what you have
given is what actually the other person needed.
An old man in old age home doesn’t require a
hearty meal or an expensive gift, all they need is your time. They might not feel
like talking to you or ask for your help while they try to stitch their clothes
on their own, but for you to just sit there with them for few hours. They might
not want to talk on complex political and social issue but on how their day
was, how they use to live in there adulthood and for you to listen their
childhood stories. On the contrary a 3 year old kid in an orphanage would go
bouncing and jumping with joy the entire day if you just give him his favorite
chocolate or give a girl hair clips of her favorite color. Similarly a poor
man would be just happy to get a hearty meal for that day. Going to them is
much easier than asking them to come to you.
No wonder it is called a present. Present means
now, at this very moment, this time that is in there and our hand.
As far is family and friends is concerned they
don’t expect anything from you. They just want you to be there for them. If not
physically then just a call or message would be more than enough to bring a
smile on their face.
When I was in college many of my friends would
ask me about Santa Claus and how could he manage to give gifts to so many
people.
Well here is your chance to be a Santa Claus
and the best part about this Santa Claus is that you don’t need a fancy red colored outfit, a long white beard and you don’t require carrying a heavy sack
on your back. It very simple, you now know what people require and Santa gives
what you ask from him. The most valuable gift that you can give anyone this Christmas
is your time because it is yours and you are sharing it with someone who needs
it so this makes it even more precious.
And if you need to know more about Christmas
feel free to walk into any church, sit on the bench and ask your question to
the person next to you. I am sure there would be something new that both of you
will learn. Never hesitate to ask questions.
Christmas is not only about asking for
blessings and happiness for you only but taking the responsibility of gifting that
blessing and happiness others as well.
Christmas is not just about prayers, it about being an answer to
someone’s prayer. 
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