What Message this Christmas has Brought to You?

25th December is Christmas Day, the day God incarnated and was born as Jesus Christ on the earth. It’s a historical time, a time from when the world separates history from Before Christ and In the Year of the Lord (Anno Domini), BC and AD. The Birth of Jesus brought revolutionary changes in society – religions, society, politics, and culture. Every section of society – theist, agnostic, atheist, rich, poor, persecutor, or persecuted – received a life message, and this message even continues today. What message does the birth of Jesus bring for us today?

When we read the birth account of Jesus in the Bible (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2; John 1), we come across several kinds of people reacting differently at the very event itself. Some rejoice, some are sad, some are angry, some are hopeful, and some are curious. This kind of reaction is because of the kind of life they are living.

Jews

They were eagerly waiting for the Messiah promised by the prophets of the Old Testament. Those Jews who believed in the words of the Scripture rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Their waiting has borne a joyful result. Simeon, a devout upright man in Jerusalem who was living in expectation of the “salvation of Israel,” thus rejoices, “At last, Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised! For with my own eyes, I have seen your salvation which you have made ready for every people—a light to show the truth to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:29). But for those who did not believe in Jesus, it was the message of despair.

Mary and Joseph

They were God-fearing Jews, and the birth of Jesus was a joyous experience for them. Mary became the tabernacle for Jesus. But at the same time, amidst joy, for Mary, it was also a message of forthcoming sufferings in her life, “A sword will pierce your heart” (Luke 2:35). Thus, strong faith and endurance in faith were requested from her part. And this is the message she lived throughout her life and therefore, she is the model of faith for us today. For Joseph, it was a leap into uncertainty, and yet he remained faithful like Mary in fulfilling his paternal duty.

Shepherds

Though their world was free from worldly tensions and busy life, they too were looking for someone who could protect them and their livestock from enemies, who would guarantee them their future. The reward for their simple life is paid by the announcement of the angel, “For you, a Saviour is born” (Luke 2:11). They were the first ones to receive the message. How blessed they are! As a sign of joy and gratitude, they offer not artificial things but what they had at their best, the livestock, and above all, themselves. Thus, it was a fulfillment of the long-awaiting.

Herod, the King

For Herod, the news of Jesus’ birth was a shock. He thought the child would be ‘tomorrow’s King,’ and hence will snatch away his throne. This frightened him. The fearful person can go to any extent to destroy the enemy. Therefore, he orders to murder all the babies born in his kingdom (Matthew 2:16), before it is too late.

Magi, the Kings of the East

They believed in the scripture and its fulfillment. This is seen in their tiresome journey they undertook to an unknown place to meet the Messiah. God guided them through a star to reach the place. Upon reaching they offered the costliest royal gifts they could offer. They were not proud like Herod nor did they feel jealous, rather believed in the Child and worshipped Him. Therefore, God revealed to them what Herod was trying to do, “Do not go back to your kingdom through the land of Herod, for he is planning to kill the child.” Thus, the birth of Jesus was a message of accomplishment of their life’s longing.

Pharisees and Sadducees

These are the religious leaders who knew the scriptures thoroughly and were supposed to explain their meaning to the people. But, instead of doing it, they always burdened people by interpreting and reinterpreting them according to their convenience, let alone practicing it. When the law itself is born in the form of Jesus, the custodians of the law cannot recognize it. Later, Jesus’ every action and preaching become a challenge and threat to their survival. Thus, the birth of Jesus brought hard times for these ‘sophisticated’ religious leaders.

Christmas Today

In today’s context, the promised people are the believers who live a life worthy of their call. They are the morally upright people. For such people, the Nativity of Jesus brings the message of joy, hope, and peace. But for those people who ‘claim to be morally upright,’ the message may not be of peace, joy, and hope.

The ‘Marys’ and ‘Josephs’ are those who do the “will of God.” They are strong in their faith and do not get disturbed when the ‘sword pierces’ their heart. They don’t get disappointed when everything is taken away from them or when severely persecuted for the faith they practice. They are the living saints amidst us. When I live according to the call I have received or live according to my conscience, I will be blessed by God Himself as Simeon and Anna were blessed, ‘with visions, and long life, and live until I see the glory of God,’ or like Magi who saw the star as guiding light, and a revelation of future calamity.

The ‘Pharisees,’ ‘Sadducees,’ and ‘Herods’ are those who mislead people and think that they are above society, culture, traditions, and law. They make laws, rules, and regulations and burden the weaker section of society. In the pretext of construction, they destroy the essential bond. These are the people who persecute the ‘people of God.’ Can Christmas be the message of peace for them? Obviously ‘no’. They will be living in the turbulence of their heart, ever disturbed and without peace.

Who am I? Am I a Pharisee, a Sadducee, or a Herod trying to bring division in my family, my neighbourhood, and my society? Or am I the ‘Marys’ and ‘Josephs,’ and the ‘shepherds’ and ‘Magis’ who live an upright life, who have no guile in the heart? When families are broken due to silly misunderstandings, when couples divorce just for the sake of selfish motives, when innocent people are put in jail when the people are thrashed for the creed and culture they follow; when a helpless girl is molested, raped, and mercilessly killed; when the child to be born is aborted because of its gender; when the poor are burdened with heavy taxes and loans that they cannot repay, can I say the birth of Jesus has brought happy news for such people?

Christmas can also bring a blend of joys and sorrows: it is a joy for those who have more, but it is a sorrow for those who have not; it is a joy for shopkeepers, but sorrow for parents who don’t have extra money to buy gifts for their children, family, and friends; it is a joy for a drunkard to make merry, but it is a sorrow for his family. It is a joy to come together as one family, but it is a sorrow for those who miss their loved ones due to unavoidable reasons. Amidst these confusions, conflicts, contrasts, and confrontations; the question arises, ‘What is the message this Christmas has brought to you?’ For some people, the true meaning of Christmas is the warmth and love of our families; a celebration of the home/homely atmosphere. For some others, the real meaning of Christmas is love for others or goodwill towards men and women. For some, it is singing carols; for others, it is making a fabulous, attractive, and charming crib. But the real meaning of Christmas lies in the message of the ‘incarnation’ or “the Word becoming flesh” or transcendent God becoming one among us (Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23). ‘The Word becoming flesh’ does not mean that we have to learn to be flesh. It means that we may become more like God in our words and deeds, in loving, sharing, caring, and forgiving. In other words, Jesus has not come to appreciate the status of life in which we live; rather he has come to give us a life that cannot be achieved by our flesh.

Stop for a while in front of the Crib at the Church and look at the Babe Jesus in the bosom of Mary. Reflect for a while, that in such a helpless situation, in the manger, a happy family is rejoicing and singing the glory of God, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those who are of good will.” God has sent His only begotten son, Jesus to this world not to destroy you and me, but to save you and me from every kind of evil. He came to this earth to make this world a paradise where you and I can reunite with our God. Thus, Christmas is a celebration of reconciliation, a homecoming, a joyful, sharing, and a peaceful event. It is a celebration of justice and equality where we all become the children of One God.

Rev. Dr. Raju Felix Crasta

Professor of Philosophy and Religion 

St. Albert’s Institute of Philosophy, Ranchi

THE ADVENT, A SEASON OF GRACE

“Liturgy is the source and summit of Christian life” (LG, No. 11). Christians who are united in Christ celebrate the mystery of salvation as one family. Christ is the source and origin of the liturgy. It is the greatest act of Christ. Liturgy, therefore, unites all faithful with Christ’s family. Vatican II Council expresses this beautifully:

Holy Mother Church is conscious that she must celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse by devoutly recalling it on certain days throughout the course of the year. Every week, on the day which she has called the Lord’s Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord’s resurrection, which she also celebrates once in the year, together with His blessed passion, in the most solemn festival of Easter. Within the cycle of a year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord. Recalling thus the mysteries of redemption, the Church opens to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present for all time, and the faithful are enabled to lay hold upon them and become filled with saving grace (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 102).

Liturgical Year

Throughout the Liturgical Year, various parts of the Paschal mysteries are celebrated. The year begins not in January, but on the first Sunday of Advent (the Sunday after Christ the King feast) which is followed by the mysteries of Incarnation (Christmas Season), then a short period of Ordinary Season and Lent and Paschal Season and ends in a longer period of Ordinary Season. Ordinary Season is numbered as Ordinary Sunday 1, 2, 3… till Ordinary Sunday 33 or 34; whereas, the other season are numbered according to the Sundays of the Season proper.

Advent Season

The word Advent comes from the Latin root, ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’ or ‘arriving.’ For people other than Christians, it was the time to come back to the temple to worship their deities once a year. It is also understood as, the period of the visit of the king to his people each year. For the people, the visit of the king was a period of grace.

A tenth-century hymn explains the meaning of Advent more beautifully:

You are our eternal salvation,

The unfailing light of the world.

Light everlasting,

You are truly our redemption.

Grieving that the human race was perishing

Through the tempter’s power

Without leaving the heights

You came to the depths in your loving kindness.

Readily taking the humanity by your gracious will,

You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,

Restoring joy to the world.

Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,

And so possess us as Your shining dwellings.

By your first coming, make us righteous;

At your second coming, set us free:

So that, when the world is filled with light

And you judge all things,

We may be clad in spotless robes

And follow in your steps, O King,

Into the heavenly hall.

Liturgy and Advent Season

There are four weeks in the Advent season given as a preparation for the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, just as the Lenten Season for Easter. Christmas Season begins on the eve of Christmas till the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Advent season begins the Sunday after Christ the King till the Eve of Christmas. This period is again divided into two parts: i). First Sunday of Advent till 16^th December, ii). 17^th December till 24^th December.  Both parts express the preparation for Christmas, however, the second part gives prominence to more intense preparation. The Church invites every faithful to joyfully prepare for the mystery of incarnation and at the same time eagerly look for the second coming of Christ.

History of Advent

In the early years of Christianity, the Christians were followers of the Judaic religion and their festivities. Later, as the Church grew, they opted for the celebration of the events connected with their founder, Jesus Christ. The Christians either stopped many Judaic feasts or re-interpreted them in the light of newly found faith. The first feast they celebrated was the ‘Pasch’ on one Sunday. Gradually, the feast of Pasch was extended for a few days. In order to celebrate it more meaningfully, a period of preparation is added which is called, the Lenten period.

However, the celebration of Advent and Christmas is much later. The first Christmas celebrated was in Rome in the year 330 AD. Non-Christians were worshipping ‘Sun God’ and they celebrated it on 25^th December. Christians adapted this feast as Christ is a perfect symbol of Light who enlightens the mind and hearts of people. Christ is Light par excellence. So, the feast of Christ as New Light (Sun) gave a perfect symbol for Christians and a reason to celebrate. This was followed by the need for the preparation of Christmas just as Lent for Easter. So, a period of eight days (17-24 December) was added and this period is named ‘Advent,’ the joyful coming of Jesus. Thus, in the year 490 AD, the first Advent Season was celebrated. The Council of Saragossa (also known as Caesaraugusta 380 AD) made it obligatory to attend the Eucharistic Celebration from December 17 till January 6 (Feast of Epiphany). It is to be noted here, that the first Christmas was celebrated not on December 25, but on 6^th January as the Feast of Epiphany. At the same time, the Bishop of Tours requested the faithful to fast thrice from November 11 till Christmas. Thus, with different traditions and celebrations, the season became the season of grace.

On the day of Christmas, the Roman Church celebrated three Masses (Vigil Mass, Midnight Mass and Morning Mass) stressing the historical coming and incarnation of Jesus. On the other hand, the Eastern Church gave importance to the Second Coming of Christ. Later, both these events were incorporated into one mystery as the celebration of the Second Coming (Advent) and Incarnation (Christmas). In AD 604, Pope Gregory the Great extended the Advent for four weeks.

Liturgy of Advent

On the first two Sundays, the liturgy stresses the first and second coming of Jesus. Thus, the Church invites the faithful to welcome the Saviour with proper preparation. Therefore, on these Sundays the readings are from Isaiah, the episodes of John the Baptist and from the teachings of St. Paul regarding the second coming of Jesus. In the remaining two weeks the Church wants the faithful to walk closely with Mary in her final days of the conception of the Word.

Some of the themes for the subsequent Sundays can be as follows: First Sunday: Open the door of salvation from within / You are the potter and we are the clay / Our salvation is at hand. Second Sunday: Prepare the way for the Lord / make your path straight / Christ is the Salvation. Third Sunday: Eternal Salvation is close at hand / be the witnesses of light / the Lord your God is amidst you. Fourth Sunday: Know your path/place of rest/cousins of the Savior.

Advent Wreath

The wreath probably dates back to pre-Christian times when in Scandinavia especially and less so in Germany a wheel was decorated with candles and prayers were offered up to the God of Light to turn the wheel of the earth toward the sun and bring about the longer warmer days. In the Middle Ages it became customary to use the wreath as a means for Christians to prepare during Advent for Christmas.

Advent wreath was not common till the 19^th century. It is said to be a Lutheran initiative. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The green prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent.:  and the colours of the candles are purple and rose. The purple colour represents the historical colour of Advent, and the rose, the Royalty (Prince of Peace). The third Sunday of Advent is also known as ‘Gaudete Sunday’ meaning Rejoicing Sunday. The fifth candle which is at the center is understood as Christ and is lit on the day of Christmas. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Saviour.

Christmas

In the first three centuries, Christians celebrated only Easter and the events connected to Easter. In AD 330 people began to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Together with this began to celebrate the feasts connected with it. There are two prominent reasons to celebrate Christmas on the 25^th of December.

i.    Jewish people had a belief that God began the creation on the 25^th of March. Thus, the Christians too believed that it was the first day of creation. Some early Christians believed that Mary became pregnant on this day and on the same day Jesus died on the Cross. If March 25 becomes the first day of creation, then 25^th December becomes the day of Re-Creation in Mary’s womb. Thus, it is apt to believe that the crown of renewed creation, Jesus was born on 25^th December.

ii.    Back in Rome, in the year 274 AD King Aurelius ordered to celebrate 25 December as the feast of ‘Sun God’ throughout his Kingdom. Jewish and Christian people were mostly shepherds and farmers who depended mostly on stellar movements especially the sun and moon for any celebration.  December 25 is the longest day in every part of the world. Thus, it was apt to celebrate the feast of the Sun God on this day. But for the Christians, it was ‘idol worship’ to do so. Therefore, the Christians adapted this into their new faith: Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). Thus, people began to celebrate the day as ‘Sunday’ and for Christians, it was the day of the Invincible Sun. As the years passed, the Western Church began to celebrate Christmas on the 25^th of December whereas the Eastern Church celebrated it on the 6^th of December (for example, the Armenian Church).

Crib and Carol Singing

St. Francis of Assisi, friend of nature is credited with creating the first Nativity scene in 1223 in Italy. He began this in a cave with living beings, humans and animals depicting the biblical roles. Pope Honorius III gave official permission and blessings for this novel thought. Later, the living beings were replaced with statues. The purpose of this physical representation in the form of a crib is to bring to mind the actual reason why Christmas is celebrated. This also has the effect of evangelization. The entire Jesus story can be narrated in a pictorial form without any explanation.

The Angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of all kind,” at the time of Jesus’ birth to announce the Good News and to glorify God. With this meaning today Christmas Carols are sung everywhere. The meaning of a carol in the present day is much different to the original one. Formerly, a carol was a secular dance which was performed at any time of the year. People danced around in a circle holding hands and singing songs. The dance reminded onlookers of a coronet so they called it a ‘carol.’ The word Carol derives from the French language carrole which means a circle dance accompanied by singers. The name was transferred later on from the dance to the song itself. Carols by the 16^th century were sung only at Christmas time. The subject is also related to Christmas. At one stage the Christmas carols were only sung by the bishop and clergy in the churches. But became popular amongst the public and were soon sung in the streets and other public places. Carol singers tell the story of the birth of Christ in songs during the days leading up to Christmas.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree has a traditional history. It began in Germany almost 1,000 years ago when St Boniface, who converted the German people to Christianity, was said to have come across a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree. In anger, St Boniface is said to have cut down the oak tree and to his amazement a young fir tree sprung up from the roots of the oak tree. St Boniface took this as a sign of the Christian faith. But it was not until the 16th century that fir trees were brought indoors at Christmas time. Today any coniferous tree which is evergreen could be taken as a Christmas Tree. It is decorated with various pictures, lights and wrappers.

Some people also say that this tree represents the ‘paradise tree’ and therefore, apples (round objects like balls representing first sin) and wafers (host representing Christ’s redemption) are hanged on this. Along with this A Bright star at the top, decorated with lights and candles shows it is the sign of Christ. Further, the everlasting green colour of the tree represents the everlasting hope of mankind and its triangular shape, the tip being pointed upwards shows man’s thoughts and mind pointing towards heaven.

Other feasts in the Christmas Season

Major Feasts

·         Feast of Holy Family: it is celebrated on the first Sunday of the season

·         Epiphany of Our Lord: celebrated on the second Sunday of the Season

·         Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ: celebrated on the third Sunday of the season

Minor Feasts

·         26 December: St. Stephen, the first Martyr

·         27 December: St. John the Evangelist

·         1 January : Mary Mother of God

Conclusion

Advent and Christmas season is the period of grace. People had to wait for a long period to for the first coming of Jesus. When historical truth was actualized, the subsequent people looked for the second coming of Jesus. The second coming is nothing but his imminent coming in our own lives. He is coming into our lives in different forms. Let us all welcome him.

Advent is the time to reflect on God-becoming-human mystery: the incarnation of God in a humble state, identifying Himself with the poor marginalized, becoming one with despised and misunderstood, having empathy and sympathy with the people who are deprived of various things such as food, clothing, shelter, love, friendship and all paradoxes of life.

Let us welcome him not like people who have no hope but as people of joy. The second coming should be a joyful event and not with gloomy faces. In order to welcome Him, therefore, need to light the lamp of faith, hope and charity. There is a need to reform ourselves, a need to level the grounds of pain and distress. There is a need to change our attitude. Come Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.  

References:

Boniface Pinto, Hanga Asa Tujo Dev [Here is your God], (Mangalore: Mangala Jyothi, 2007).

Paul, “Advent Talk,” available in  http://www.ctk-cov.org.uk/advent/2009/Advent%20Talk%20I.pdf

Raju Felix Crasta, “Symbolic Christmas,” http://rfcrasta.blogspot.in/2011/12/symbolic-christmas_3897.html

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta