Akangjungla
Love is at the heart of Christmas - the most celebrated holiday in the world. The festival has become a global occurrence with people, who do not follow the religion or believe in the teachings of Christianity, joining the celebration and following the traditions related to the festivities. The fact cannot be concealed that the masses love the hustle and bustle associated with this time of year. The run-up to Christmas in Nagaland involves a lot of shopping, feastings and gift exchange. There is a greater sense of thankfulness and giving, either driven by obligations or just pure love. For those who do not have the privileges of a conformable living, no amount of charity work matches to the warm blankets, hot meal or a small token of love offering shared during Christmas season.
With the changing times, there is a general impression that many people care less about the religious denotation of the celebration, which should be something concerning for the Church and its members. Nonetheless, Christmas brings the reminder of Love. Daniel Day Williams, a professor of theology says, ‘Growth to maturity consists in discovering what and whom we love and how we respond to the love of others. We would not know how to tell what it means to be human without an account of love.’ The expression of love towards one’s own family, neighbours, friends and colleagues is always expected and celebrated well. Love would have a different understanding when and if it is shared with one among the homeless, beggars, daily wage earner, and the needy.
The message of love in Christmas is a language and thought which speaks beyond the set of concepts imagined by the Christian religious studies. To love and to be loved during Christmas has the influence to make human experience more absolute in so many senses. The significance of love in relation to Christmas could perhaps increase by demonstrating the willingness to care and show compassion, being kind and forgiving, and most importantly becoming a reason for someone in need to experience what it means to have human friendship. With this hope of sharing uncommon love, may this Christmas be a season of growing in love with the underprivileged, deprived and the needy.
Comments can be sent to akangjungla@gmail.com
