Rev. Abemo Jungio
Asst. Pastor, Wokha Town Baptist Church
Thank God the joyous season of Christmas has arrived once again.As we all welcome the birth of our saviour from our inner heart I write this in a very simple way with a hope to take us closer to God and to remind us to remember the real meaning of Christmas during this season. For some people Christmas means a time to exchange different gift to one another,for some it is a time for meeting family together, for some it is the time of the year to put the best clothes. For some it is a time for community feast,for some its a privilege to burst varieties of cracker spending huge amount. For Christians Christmas is a holy season therefore it is a great time for prayer and worship for gratitude and goodwill peace and renewal of our faith with God. The Christmas story begins 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem with a mother a father their baby son the most extraordinary gift of Gods love for all humanity to dwell with mankind.By the coming of Jesus the wall (barrier) between man and God was broken and a new relationship was established. (Eph.2:14) Now we are restored and reconciled because our Lord Jesus who is the prince of peace has brought ‘SHALOM’ the complete peace between man and God. The real meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ the prince of peace (Isa.9:6) the giver of hope, reconciliation and salvation to all mankind.
We have to remember that Jesus was born to this world not only to restore the dividing wall between man and God but also between man to man. Todays world we experience communalism, tribalism, favouritism, caste system, regionalism, nationalism so on and so forth everyday. And a village level to global there is so much fighting in different reasons discrimination,corruption and enmity that makes dividing walls ourselves. So it is my believe all this evil practices in us today can be abolished only when we understand and have the real meaning of Christmas in our lives because on the very Christmas day the saviour of the whole world was born into the world to take away the division and hostility between us. Christmas will come and go but the most important thing that we must remember is do we really recognise ourselves with the true meaning of Christmas? If not let us prayerfully do so this year and let us recognise that the real spirit of Christmas is not what we have but its about what we are because each one of us is a child of God. As we observe seriously our present Christians lives many Christians are celebrating a Christmas as a self-centered (only physical enjoyment) instead of a Christ – centered one. So this year as a servant of God I appeal everyone that let us change the self-centered into a Christ-centered Christmas by renewing our relationship with God. May all our joy, feasting ,merry making during this festive season be an acceptable to God. Let us not forget to extend our helping hand to the poor, sick, orphan, handicapped, captives, oppressed and less fortunate people during this Christmas as our Lord Jesus came for all people, (Lk.4:18-19) So that abundant joy and blessing will surely flow upon us through this Christmas. And that is the complete message and true meaning of Christmas. So this Christmas let us ask for Gods blessing for our family for our community and we pray that our beautiful land of Nagaland will be a place filled with love ,peace and harmony in all sections of people. Wishing you a very happy and a blessed Christmas.
