By Dr Asangba Tzudir
The season of Love is here again even as the whole of Christendom prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We are once again reminded of the miracle that took place in that manger in Bethlehem when the Virgin Mary gave birth to the Son of God with the sole purpose of redeeming the sin of mankind. It all changed that one Silent night, as God gave the World the ultimate gift of love: His Son Jesus, on a mission to save the world. Today, looking back at the birth of Jesus, humanity was taught one of the finest lessons on humility from the manger in the stable.
With the inception of Christianity in our land the first Ao Christians, though not initially, started celebrating Christmas. However, they did not refer to it as ‘Christmas’ but celebrated over a humble feast called ‘Yisu Benjong’ meaning ‘festival of Jesus.’ Today, this ‘festival of Jesus’ called Christmas is elaborately celebrated.
Decorations have filled the homes and streets in preparation for Christmas. Behold, the sights and sounds of Christmas fills us with a sense of joy. Celebrations have started to make festive the season. However, beyond decorations and festivity, in essence, Christmas is the revelation of God’s Love. Thus, the true meaning and celebration of Christmas can be fulfilled only when God’s Love is truly translated into act. God’s gift of Love unfolded when the son of God took human form and came to Earth with a mission to heal the sick, to restore sight for the sightless, to free the ‘bounded’ and to redeem the sins of the world and to give eternal life. Christmas, therefore is not simply the birth of baby Jesus but a celebration of the highest form of Love and how it is shared.
The king was born in a stable. This is a great lesson on humility for the Nagas. As Christmas approaches, and in our preoccupied and busy life, the popular Hymn ‘Have you any room for thee’ seems to remind us whether we have the Love of God in us this Christmas. How do we translate the Love of God into meaningful acts as Jesus has shown to us? The city is now decorated and lighted but if we fail to celebrate and share the Love of God, then Christmas will be just another lighted festival or a meaningless XMas, where Christ is replaced by an unknown entity called ‘X.’
The true spirit and flavour of Christmas, thus, cannot come through the celebration of X but only when Christ is, in essence added to Christmas by way of translating the Love of God in ways that would fulfil the meaning of Christmas so also please God through our acts.
Beyond the essence of Christmas is just the unknown ‘X’ which can be likened to the likes of King Herod who pursued to kill baby Jesus. It is as good as Christmas being cancelled in your heart and in your home. How would one think about celebrating Christmas when there is no room for Jesus or when there is no room for Love or when you have already killed baby Jesus through acts that does not glorify the name of Jesus? This Christmas may we celebrate Christ and His Love and also open our rooms to receive and share the Love and Joy which Baby Jesus brings.
Even as Christmas comes knocking, there will be many who are not ready to Celebrate Christmas or those who cannot really celebrate Christmas being confronted by difficult life’s situations and circumstances. But Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and I will find rest for your souls.”
Let this Christmas be an opportunity to ask baby Jesus that we may be able to translate the Love of God and celebrate Christmas meaningfully in its fullness beyond the ‘flesh and the lips.’
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
