A True Christmas – Rev. R. Jeyaraj

It’s not Festivity but Simplicity
Christmas has lost its real meaning down through the centuries as it is focused more on the festivity rather than its simplicity. The subject of Christmas has been overlooked and the object of Christmas is overemphasized. Jesus Christ who is the subject and centre of Christmas is replaced by festivity. We think Christmas is a time of joy and celebration but if it is only a commemoration and celebration for a particular people, family, church and community it is not a true Christmas but a self-centred Christmas. A true Christmas is not Christmas focused but Christ focused. God became human to make human become like God. Jesus identified with humanity so that humanity identifies God.

It’s not Dignity but Identity
A true Christmas is to bring joy, peace and hope to those who are deprived of them due to divisive systems and structures of society. The suffering of the subject should lead to the happiness of the object. God had to send his only begotten Son for the sake of the world that he loved to save and shape people. Jesus left all his heavenly glory and came to this world to save us by being born in a manger to be identified with the poorest of the poor and dying on the cross identifying with the criminals of the criminal.  If we have to make others happy we need to pay the cost. Christmas cost us much but true Christmas cost us for others. The first Christmas was a costly one for God and others as they are the subject of Christmas. We spend to show and maintain our dignity and prestige before others but Jesus empties His glory to identify with humanity so that we will have a dignified identity of being God’s children.

It’s not subjectivity but objectivity
Joseph and Mary were they not the subject of our Christmas and happiness? Joseph to be part of the tradition of making others happy he accepted to marry Mary the pregnant unwedded mother! Mary accepted the divine plan of God in spite of the repercussion that she would be facing in her family and society. Had she not suffered and sacrificed to make the rest of the people happy. The subject is for the purpose of the object. True Christmas is not self focused but others focused.  Literally Christmas means Christ’s Mass or the Mass of Christ – the sacrifice of Christ. Liturgically Mass is the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. Therefore let’s celebrate Christ-mass not Christmas, by sharing the simplicity of Jesus, laying down our dignity to give human identity to those who lost it and live for the purpose of others.