Loading...
Pondicherry Archdiocese
 

To Celebrate Christmas Let Us Become Synodal

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we enter the month of December, the first thought that comes to our mind is “Christmas”. Christmas is a feast that is celebrated by the whole world not only by the Christians. It is an universal feast . It is a feast that brings people together as one family. But unfortunately it is being commercialised and reduced to a mere social feast. It is really sad to note that even the name “Christ” has disappeared and now many people call it as X-Mas.

            The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christian story is the story of God’s becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why   was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Saviour! Why does God love us so much? Because he is love itself (1Jn. 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us. We remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and the less fortunate.

 

As our Holy Father Pope Francis is inviting the Church to be Synodal, I would like to reflect with you the true meaning of Christmas, so that we may celebrate this Christmas in the true spirit of Christmas by imitating the life of all those centred around the birth of Jesus.

 

Once a survey was conducted as to “What Christmas” is according to different people. First the surveyor approached the children and asked, “What is Christmas for them?” The children replied Christmas for them is new dress, cake, crib, crackers, Santa Claus, gifts etc. The youth were asked, “What is Christmas for them?” they answered that Christmas for them is fun, enjoyment, holidaying and outing with friends and merry making. Parents were asked, “What is Christmas for you?” they were the people who were worried and tensed and started saying that Christmas is coming, we need to invite friends, relatives, paint the home, decorate with lights, stars, buy dress for children, make cakes, distribute to relatives, make different type of delicious eatables and for all these we need money. It is the most expensive affair and sometimes we need to borrow money. It is really a headache. Shopkeepers and business people were asked, “What is Christmas for you?” they seemed to be the happiest people. They said that this a profit making time, a time of real business. We have been eagerly waiting for this Christmas to really make money. Religious Sisters were asked, “What is Christmas for you?” they said that is a real busy time. No rest at all. We have to make crib in the Church, in the Convent, School, the members in the community are divided and assigned with various responsibilities, decorating the convent, making cakes and delicious cookies, choir practice, preparing gift packets for friends and people working in institutions and  preoccupied with so many activities. Priests were asked, “What is Christmas for you?” they said that I have to call the Parish Council meeting, plan for the Christmas celebration and then supervise that all what we planned as executed bydifferent groups. Then I have to prepare homily and on Christmas midnight I have to keep awake. These are various opinions of people about Christmas celebration.

 

To know the true meaning of Christmas, we need to ask the persons who are an integral part of the birth of Jesus. The first person in the list is God the Father. If you ask God the Father, He would say Jn. 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” So Christmas for God the Father is ‘Giving’. If you ask Jesus about Christmas, He would say Phil. 2:6-11 that is ‘Kenosis’ ‘Self emptying’. If you ask the Holy Spirit, He will say Lk. 1:35. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you”. So “empowerment” is Christmas according to the Holy Spirit. If you ask Mary about Christmas, she will say Lk. 1:38 ‘Self surrender’, ‘Behold the hand mind of the Lord, Be it done according to thy Word”. If you ask Joseph he would say, “Obedience is Christmas”. Mt. 1:20; 2:13, 19. If you ask the shepherds, they would say “Simplicity” Lk. 2:12. If you ask the Wise men, they would say Humility and perseverance (Mt. 2:10-11).

 

Thus to imbibe these divine qualities which will help us to be Synodal, the Church has given us the season of Advent, a time of preparation, a time to practice these virtues and qualities. So let us make use of this season of advent to celebrate Christmas in the way of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and the Wise men. Let us learn to ‘give’ like God the Father and for that, we need to empty ourselves like Jesus who gave his life and that will empower us with the power of the Holy Spirit. To receive that power we need to surrender ourselves like Mary our Mother and obey God like St. Joseph and live a life of simplicity like the Shepherds and remain humble and persevere like the Wise men.

I pray that through the season of Advent we may cultivate these qualities to celebrate the birth of Jesus and become Synodal by being in “communion participation and Mission”.

 

I wish each one of you a Grace Filled and Joyful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2023.