The
transformative power of Christmas
‘Christmas’
is a word that people love to hear. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ
who was born 2014 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem. In modern times it is not
just the birth anniversary of Jesus or a spiritual celebration for Christians. It
is a season celebrated by all people irrespective of age, caste, creed, gender,
religion or culture. It has impacted economic, political, social, cultural and
religious aspects. According to Impact Social Media, “Christmas is the season
for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity
in the heart.”
Christmas
is a season of transformation. It is a season where there is transformation in
social relationship, business sector, in religion and in political sector.
Christmas period is used by some to increase business, to cement relationship,
to build vote bank, to deepen their spiritual life and to improve their talents
or skills. During Christmas we see the crib, stars, Christmas tree, Santa Claus
and other decorations. They are all metaphors signifying the oneness of God,
human beings and nature. In the manger there were animals, insects, hay, Jesus,
Mary, Joseph and the angels. If all things in this world come together, work
together and live in peace and harmony as that of the manger of Jesus, then
surely this world will be a paradise on earth. In fact Jesus came to usher in a
new heaven and a new earth.
Christmas
encourages spiritual renewal in people. During Christmas, people spend time to
prepare themselves for the birthday of Jesus Christ. People attend daily mass,
participate in novenas or prayers, use the sacrament of confession and other
spiritual activities so as to be prepared for Christmas. People come together
to celebrate the feast of Christmas as a family. The power of Christmas is
bringing people closer to God.
Christmas
transforms social life, inviting people to reconcile with one another and build
a society of peace, love, helpfulness and joy. People sing Christmas carols to
bring joy and build up relationship in society. Christmas encourages people to
burn away selfishness, hatred, jealousy, power and prestige. It helps people to
put on the new robe of sharing, love, humility, and honesty. It is a holiday
season where people spend time with friends and family thus rejuvenating their
relationship. The power of Christmas is bringing people closer in society.
Christmas
is has positive and negative impact on environment. People start to think
creatively and try to create awareness among people about the environment by
making cribs out of waste materials like bottles, sack cloth, chocolate wrappers
and others. As it is a holiday season people travel less and thus it reduces
the consumption of fossil fuel and emission of smoke from motor vehicles.
Christmas escalates donations of things which people no longer need and this
leads to mitigate environmental damage. The dark side of Christmas to
environment is that people buy gifts and dump the waste materials in open air.
The ‘use and throw’ culture of people is against the law of the environment as
Christmas decorations are made using different chemicals or elements that are
harmful to the environment. In fact, the Environment wails after Christmas
because people would just throw the decoration items or burn them.
Christmas
is a booming season for economy and profit for business. It is a time of
business. Business of various types like clothes, decorations, painting, food,
transport, phone, internet, gifts and other experience huge sale and rake in profit
during this season. J.Taylor, Omaha in his article The Economic Impact of Christmas Shopping said, “Christmas shopping
warm the hearts of family and friends who are gift recipients, but it also
invigorates a U.S. economy that is in dire need of a financial catalyst”. It is
during this season that people would buy variety of food stuff for celebration,
gifts for friends and relatives, decorations items to beautify their house and
new clothes to wear. In the world of business the power of Christmas is getting
more sale and profit. It is a blessing and a business season.
India
is a country where vote bank play pivotal role because of its democratic form
of governance. During Christmas season politicians would visit villages during
village gathering or gave money for Christmas celebration or organise a
Christmas celebration get together for the people. Politicians would also
organise various competitions during this season. The core objective is not so
much of social welfare or to bring development but to get vote bank. In
politics the power of Christmas is to attract more people and get a greater
vote bank.
Christmas
is a season of joy, sharing, caring and celebration but during this season
people are also in ruin. It is during this season that people start smoking,
drinking, involves in drugs and ruins their lives. It is a time that people
want to exhibits their prestige, power and position. It is a time that the poor
have to suffer because things become costlier as the demand is more for
different goods. Christmas is a time of party and picnic and people misuse the
nature or pollute the environment because they litter waste everywhere in
picnic or party spots. If we look into the negative impact of Christmas, it is
a season of darkness and gloom and not a season of light and joy.
Christmas
is a time where the focal point is Christ. Every year, for many, Christmas
comes and goes without Christ being born in their hearts. But Christmas is not
Christmas until and unless Christ is born in our hearts. If we deepen our
relationship with God, people and nature, if we are instrument of love, peace,
hope, joy, justice, equality, unity and forgiveness then Christmas is worth
celebrating. Business, politics, status and enjoyment should not be the focal
point during Christmas season. The power of Christmas should be love and not
profit or vote bank. Christmas will be Christmas if our love-relationship with
God, Cosmos and Fellow human beings is deepened.
May God bless you during this Christmas and throughout the year
