Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ, is celebrated all over the world. We celebrate this day by well-wishing and sending Christmas greetings to friends and families. It is a day of joy.
But we should remember that the day is so much more than a birthday celebration. It is the sign of God’s love for us and of our hope in eternal life.
The Holy Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John. 3:16). In this passage, St. John tells us about the love of God. God showed His love for us by giving us the best He had to offer: His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who freely gave Himself as an offering to God for our sake, and as the atoning sacrifice for our sin and the sin of the world. True love does not count the cost, but it gives liberally.
In the Old Testament, we read the following passage: “For a child will be born to us, a son who will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). This passage is a prophecy that is fulfilled alone in Jesus Christ, who was born as a human being so that He might hang on a cross to suffer, to die and to rise again on the third day.
In Jesus Christ is our redemption, our blessing, our cleansing of sins, and our hope of eternal life in heaven.
Today’s world is a full of corruption, fanaticism, violence, terrorism, vulgarity, egoism, jealousy, discrimination, slavery, inequality, selfishness and more. However, the birth of Jesus brings the message of God’s love and the love we should have for our neighbor. Once we follow the example of God’s love by loving our neighbor, then every evil will go away.
May this Christmas bring peace and harmony among humankind, and may God bless you all.
Father Francis Xavier Arockiasamy serves as administrator of Our Lady of the Mountains Church in Highlands. This is adapted from his 2016 Christmas message to parishioners.