Merry Christmas!!!

It’s about the 2006th Christmas celebrations. There is no better way to start this than to wish you all a Merry Christmas. May the joy of Christmas remain in your hearts.

My family and I are thousands of miles away from home on a vacation. Last night (eve of Christmas), we went round town. It was great to see Christmas trees and decorations all around the place. It was really magnificent. I mean you could see a whole street lighted up and even some houses in competition about the decorations. It was coulourful.

As we drove home, I had a question on my mind. Do these people really understand the true meaning and essence of Christmas? Do they understand what they are celebrating? It reminds me of the story of ants that I read sometime ago. A group of ants were marching towards a place all together. The one at the extreme end touched the one in front of him and asked “Johnny, where are we headed?” “I don’t know”, replied Johnny, “I just saw everyone moving and decided to join them!” You will agree with me that this journey will end nowhere. This is the exact way some people celebrate Christmas. They do not know the true essence of it. They are celebrating because others are. They are celebrating the day because it is a national holiday. May I ask you why you are celebrating this Christmas?

Christmas without Christ is just an ordinary mass! Period! Can you imagine going for a birthday party without the celebrant in attendance? I am not sure it will be a great party. The true essence of Christmas will be missing if Christ in missing in your heart.

God demonstrated his love towards us thousands of years ago (and he still does everyday) by sending his only begotten son. For God so love the world, that he gave. Notice that his love compelled him to give. It’s very important to note that the greatest proof of love is giving. You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. God gave, because he loved.

Not only did God give us his son, he also forgave us our sins. He forgave, because he loved us. The true test of love his forgiveness. Your love for another will be tested by your ability to forgive. Isn’t it much easier to forgive those you really love? I think it is. May I ask you if you’ve accepted both the love of God and his forgive this season? If you have not, don’t let this season pass away. That is the real essence of it.

For those who have accepted both His love and forgives, may I also ask you to share same? Show love to others by giving (I got a good demonstration of this when the couple we are staying with had to vacate their room for us so we can have a splendid vacation!). Most importantly, forgive! Isn’t it a wonderful time of the year to forgive everyone who has hurt you by any means? God did.

Once again, Merry Christmas. Have a splendid one!