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
