Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas 2014 – The joy of Christmas



Not in trees and lights but in the family

We are in the season of Christmas and preparing to celebrate this festival in our own ways. As we do so may be should take a look at how some others are doing and expecting this Christmas.

Mr.A is a 60year old man who was so busy putting up his Christmas tree and the decorations in the typical colors of Christmas. These are not cheap anymore but he says he has been doing that for 50 years and that brings the Christmas mood. For him there is no Christmas without the decorated Christmas tree. He was so excited about his children returning home for Christmas to spend just 2 days with them.

Mr.B is a 68 year old man who says Christmas in not what it used to be when he was young when all his brothers and sisters, seven of them, would come back home and spend valuable time together with their parents. Today although he still has some of them around, but sadly they are not in talking terms. In fact he becomes so sad when reflecting on Christmas of the past with them.

Mr.C is a 70 year old retiree. When his own children were young he used to have such wonderful times with them, buying new clothes, presents and spring-clean his home. He remembers the lavish dinners with roasted turkey and wine. Today he sits alone with his wife and wait but their children are too busy to come home. They give all sorts of excuses for being not able to come home for Christmas.

Mrs.D is an 80 year old woman who is sitting alone in an old folk’s home for the past 3 years. She waits eagerly for the return of the only daughter to take her home for Christmas or at least come to spend some time with her. She did not come the last 3 years but she hopes she will turn up this year. She is anxiously waiting for her with great hopes. Will the daughter turn up?

Mrs.E is a 60 year old man used to celebrate Christmas in a very happy way with his parents, children and siblings. This year his daughter wants to leave the home due to some incompatible differences. Christmas is not the same any more as his heart is preoccupied with the daughter wanting to leave him.Will she leave him?

Yes, Christmas reminds us of Christmas trees, decorations, new clothes, roasted turkey and wine. But is this auspicious day all about these physical things? What does Christmas mean to you? What does the birth of Jesus mean to us who call ourselves to be his followers?

When we were young Christmas was about trees, lights, feasts, clothes and gifts. At that time the family unity was not an issue as our children were small and loved our company. We took family unity for granted but today when they are adults themselves things have changed. The trees and lights, feasts and gifts are all there but the family may not be there. Now we realize it is not the trees and lights that brings us joy but the family unity.

As we celebrate Christmas this year let us remember the many families that are disintegrated and separated. Let us remember the parents who are longing for their children and also those children who have been left neglected by their parents. We pray that the infant Jesus guide them to bring back the true joy of Christmas back into their lives once again.

Those of us who have caused hardship and pain to others and those living in sin let us allow Jesus to be reborn into our lives to guide us in right path which would bring His joy to us,our families and those around us.

A joyous and blessed Christmas.

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