The Meaning of Christmas

Many a time friends asked me what is Christmas all about.

Today you know Christmas by the symbols of Christmas, be it stars, Santa Claus, Decorations, Cakes, parties, New Dresses etc..For some it also means wine and merrymaking.   The symbols today have assumed a larger than life image so much we forget the real metaphors of 

why we celebrate 

what we celebrate. 

This is true for most of our festivals today.

The advertisement at a popular retailer says: Santa Claus, Face Painting, Trip to Singapore and much more. Christmas cant get better.  

Is that Christmas? No it is not Christmas.

I can tell you the different things it is not . But defining any thing or any body by what it is not does not really communicate the “WHAT IS” 

The birth of Christ brings to us LOVE, PEACE, HUMILITY and Good will,

Let me share with two anecdotes which would help us understand these metaphors,

A teacher recounts about her student.

I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas. 

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child. 

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him. 

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room.

 I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?" 

I explained how he had been my best helper.

"I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas."

With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that. 

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box. 

"Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. " 

"Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone." 

I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room. 

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it. 

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love. 

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

Love today is one of the most misunderstood words in the English language. But the love which Mark was telling his teacher is that Pure Unconditional Love..

As humans we have the need to experience that. The moot point however is that giving unconditional love is something we need to train ourselves in doing so. God so loved the world that he Gave his Son Jesus. Jesus gave His life to take the penalty of sin of mankind. Greater love is that one man lay down his life for another. That was an unconditional act. Can we learn to love unconditionally without seeking something in return.

The second anecdote is from the middle east the story goes about an emperor who loved his people dearly. He had compassion and care on his people. One day he disguised himself as a commoner and met people. During one of his visits he met a coal miner. He became friendly with him. The emperor continued his visits and eventually got to know the miner well. They did share a lot of emotions and ideas. Eventually the emperor told the miner that he was the emperor. The miner sat gazing at the emperor. The emperor asked him friend don’t you wish to ask from me anything ? I can give you anything you ask.

The miner touched and softly said : you left your palace to come and be with me?

I am really touched.  You have spent time with me and gave me your friendship, That is enough. You are my friend that is all I need.

Finding a friend in an emperor was enough for the miner.

The real meaning of Christmas is not the symbols and sounds but  that the Emperor came down to earth in love for the mankind. He showed compassion on all of us bring Peace and Hope. Jesus entered the world in humility to identify " with the least of our brethren".

It is important to understand the context we are in.  The world today is more divided than ever before. I would say the expression of conflict, slavery, corruption, crime, poverty are a consequence of greed, jealousy, hatred and anger. The message of Christmas does come alive in this context.

The world needs Love and friendship ever more than before.

This touch of love heals 

This touch of friendship builds.

The power of love heals and saves

Christmas is also about sharing and friendship done in humility and kindness.