The Wonder and Challenge of Christmas

Dr. Fr. Davis George

Prophet Malachi prophesied: "For you who revere my name the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." (Malachi 4:2).

This prophecy was fulfilled nearly four hundred years later when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ God-Incarnate, was born at Bethlehem. All Christians the world over celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ as the 'Feast of Christmas.' The wonder of Christmas is that his birth was foretold centuries before his birth. 'The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel, God-with-us.'( Isaiah 7:14) The wonder of Christmas is that ordinary shepherds- simple, humble and poor people were the first recipients the message of the birth of the Saviour of the world,  “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk 2:8-20) The wonder of Christmas is that three kings, wise men from the East,  were led by a star to Bethlehem to worship the new born king. (Mt2:1-12) The wonder of Christmas is that the new born child was protected by God from the wrath of Herod who out of jealousy and envy, wanted to kill the new born king. (Mt 2:13-15) The wonder of Christmas is that God emptied himself and became a human being. “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (Phil2:6-7)  Although he was rich he made himself poor so that we can be made rich. God became a human being so that we humans can become like God. How awesome the love of God!

Christmas is the time for spiritual rejoicing and glorifying God. But unfortunately, there is now much unhappiness in the world. Injustice and unrighteousness are present in many parts of the world. Lack of belief in God is on the increase. People and nations are failing to understand God's love for them. So they are becoming more self-centered than God- centered. And naturally, there is no peace, but unrest all over the world.

All human efforts to establish lasting peace are proving to be in vain. Only God can bring lasting peace and joy. St. John the Apostle testifies: "For God so loved the world that He gave unto the world His Only-begotten Son that whoever believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (St. John 3:16). We must realize this love of God for us and love Him in return. We must repent and believe in His Only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. And one would experience peace and salvation, which is result of Christmas, Christ being born in our hearts.

"The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory..." (John 1:14). We live in a visited world. On that holy night twenty centuries ago, God visited the world in the miracle of Bethlehem. Held in Mary's arms that night was the revelation of steadfast, unbounded love for all humanity. The birth of Jesus disclosed God’s saving will and eternal desire for reconciliation and peace.

In this season of Christmas, we encounter again Jesus, sent from God for our salvation. As the Word is proclaimed in both simple buildings and cathedrals of grandeur, through persons and events, we receive the good news of God's love in Christ Jesus for the whole earth. Mother Teresa encountered Jesus in the destitute, the abandoned, rejected and suffering human beings around the world. “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt25:40)

We gather with our family and friends  for the celebration of our Lord's Nativity. In our gathering, however, we hear the sounds of discord throughout the world. From divisions caused by walls of separation, from the struggles of many for survival from disasters, devastation, hunger, and poverty, from the dread of rampant disease and the spread of HIV and AIDS, from war and the threat of war, even with nuclear weapons, from broken relationships in homes and hostilities within communities and countries, we seek rescue. We yearn for the gracious healing, and reconciling Word of the Prince of Peace.

We hear the angel say, "Do not be afraid." With that message of courage, we realize as believers that we are never alone. So we join with the whole Church on earth, lifting our voices with renewed hope. In so doing, we join the grand anthem:

                 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

                 Let earth receive her king....

We live in a world without mercy, where more and more people feel trapped. Time and money have established their merciless rule. The secret of their power is scarcity. Time is money, they say. Those who have a lot of money never have time, and the poor perhaps have time but no money. Yet they need money in order to live, so they borrow, and then they find themselves trapped in the relentless grip of debt.

We are told that in a world of scarcity, competition is the best way to achieve more. Competition obeys the merciless rule of winning and losing. Because time and money are scarce, the one who moves faster or can offer the better price will win. Those who are too slow or have little to offer are eliminated from the race - excluded. In a world of competition, there is little to protect them.

Where money rules, almost everything becomes scarce. When power and even justice can be bought, there is little left for those who are poor. Here, too, there are only winners and losers. When money reigns supreme, even the call for justice comes to be counted as a cost factor. The powerful will be careful not to apologize for acts of injustice for fear of claims for monetary compensation. As for those who have nothing to lose, in extreme cases some of them may turn to violence in order to command attention and assert their rights - only to be met with relentless retaliation.

It is in this merciless world that the "grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all" (Titus 2:11). This is the same God whom Moses encountered as "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Ex. 34:6) and whom the psalmist praises as the one who "does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10). God has come into our world to live among us and to liberate us from the merciless rule of winning and losing, from the yoke of competition and scarcity.

Our world will not be saved by increased competitiveness in face of scarcity, but by grace and mercy. The grace of God which is God's true being has taken on human form in Jesus Christ. God's grace overrules the law of scarcity and breaks the relentless dynamic of retaliation. God does not treat us on the basis of achievement, worth or power. God gives and forgives generously, without counting the cost, and offers life in its fullness (John 10:10), particularly to those who are the losers in our merciless world. May we therefore, this Christmas, receive from his fullness "grace upon grace"! This is the message of Christmas: "And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth... From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:14,16).

Christ can be born a thousand times in Galilee, but all in vain unless he is born in you and me. The word has to become flesh in us and do what Jesus brought on earth- repentance, forgiveness, healing and salvation. This is the challenge of Christmas.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May Jesus walk with you each day 2007.

What does Christmas mean for you?

Dr. Fr. Davis George

Pope Francis asked, “What does Christmas mean for you?”  He said, “For me Christmas is hope and tenderness...”  Christmas is celebration of hope and tenderness.  Hope, because we have a Saviour who has come not to condemn the world but to save the world. Hope, because Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (Jn 1:14)Hope, because he has told us that he will be with us to the end of days. Tenderness, because he emptied himself and became a tender child. Tenderness, because he showed compassion and love to the most neglected people; welcomed sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes into his kingdom.  He was sensitive to human needs; reached out, touched and healed the broken world. Christmas is God seeking man more than man seeking God. We read in the Bible God seeking Adam and Eve, even after disobeying him; God asked, “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9) Christmas has always been about this; contemplating the visit of God to his people. God has visited his people and redeemed.(Lk 1:60)

Who is the richest person you have ever known?  The Average Rich fly first class. The Medium Rich charter a jet. The Super Rich own the jet. The Incredibly Rich own the airline.  But Jesus Christ owns the skies. The Bible says, “He was rich.” It is speaking of what he had before he left heaven to come to earth. (Phil 2:1-11) The Bible says that all the glory of God radiates from him (Heb 1:3). It also says that all things hold together in him (Col 1:17). It also says that by him were all things created (Col 1:16). And before he was born, he was the Mighty God and the Father of Eternity (Is 9:6).

He became poor. Not, He was made poor. That’s what happens to us. We are made poor by circumstances. But he himself, of his own free will, became poor. That’s something we would never do. He voluntarily gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of earth. He who was richer than any man has ever been; gave it up freely and became poorer than any man has ever been.

 At the first Christmas Word became flesh.  The phrase “became flesh” really means to wrap yourself in flesh. It has the idea of God wrapping himself in human flesh. That’s what happened at Bethlehem. It was God entering the human race in the form of a man.  That is what God did. He didn’t mail a letter or shout from heaven. He did the one thing we could understand. God himself came down and entered the human race. He became poor like us so that forever we would hear him saying, “I love you.”

We wouldn’t have done it that way. We’d schedule a press conference, call the TV stations, hire a press agent, have a parade, call in the dignitaries, sell tickets, make a big deal so all the world could see.   But God’s ways are different, more profound and awesome.  Immanuel—God with us.  Here is the purpose of Christmas. He came so that we who were poor might become rich.  C.S. Lewis said it this way: “The Son of God became a son of man in order that the sons of men might become the sons of God.”  Christmas began in the heart of God; it is complete only when it reaches the hearts of men.    Happy Christmas.

What Language does God Speak?

Dr.Fr. Davis George

Once upon a time there was an African boy named Emmanuel.  He was always asking questions.  One day he asked his teacher, “What language does God speaks?”  His teacher scratched his head and said, “I really don’t know.”  So Emmanuel asked the learned people of his village, but they didn’t know either.  Now he became really curious.  He traveled around his country and asked the learned people of our village, “What language does God speak?”  But they merely shook their heads.  Emmanuel was convinced that someone knew.  So he began to travel to other countries.  He even traveled to other continents.  But the answer was always the same.

One night, exhausted by his travels, Emmanuel came to a village called Bethlehem.  He tried to get a room in one of the inns, but the rooms were all filled up.  So he decided to look for a cave outside town.  In the early hours of the morning, he finally found one.  When he stepped inside the cave, however, he saw it was occupied by a couple and a child.  When the young mother saw him, she said, “Welcome, Emmanuel, we’ve been expecting you.”  The boy was stunned.  How did the woman know his name?  He was even more amazed when she said: “For a long time you have been searching the world over to discover what language God speaks.  Now your journey is over.  Tonight you see with your own eyes what language God speaks.  He speaks the language of love.

Emmanuel’s heart overflowed. He fell on his knees before the child and wept for joy.  Now he knew what language God speaks.  God speaks the language of love.  God speaks the one language that every person of every nation of every period of history can understand.  And so Emmanuel stayed a few days, helping Mary and Joseph.  Then it came time to leave.  It came time to tell everyone the “good news” about what language God speaks.  God speaks the language of love.  As Emmanuel walked along by himself, he began to think:  “If I’m to tell everybody about what language God speaks, I’m going to have to speak the language of love myself.  Because that’s the only language everybody in the world understands.”  And so from that day on, Emmanuel began to speak the language that God speaks.  He began the language of love.

It was then that Emmanuel made a beautiful discovery.  When you speak to people in the language of love, they begin to speak it back to you.  They suddenly discover how much better it is.  And once they make this discovery, they never go back to their old language. And so, as Emmanuel made his way back home, you could follow his path, because he left behind him a trail of towns and villages where people began to speak the language of love.

Later on, when somebody told Emmanuel what happened in the town and villages he passed through, he made a second great discovery.  He discovered that this is what God had in mind when he gave one language: the language of love.  God knew that once people began to speak it, they would never go back to their old language – language of indifferent, hatred, selfishness, anger, pride and self righteousness.  What is love?  The Bible says:  “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.  Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” (1 Cor 13)

Gary Chapman, in his book, The Five Love Languages, writes about the importance of love and how to communicate love.  He speaks of five love languages – Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.  Many relationships are broken and dreams are shattered because we do not understand each other’s languages.   In this world where we speak so many languages, God chose to speak just one language which could be understood by all – the language of love, the only language of the heart.  “God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in his should not perish but have eternal live.  (Jn 3:16)  The greatest gift God could have ever given to the humanity.  Receive this precious gift and experience his unconditional love and acceptance. 

Christmas The Longest Journey

                                                                                                                   Dr. Fr. Davis George

In July 1969, Neil Armstrong and his two fellow astronauts set off on the longest journey ever undertaken by man. Their target was a quarter of a million miles away. The eyes of the whole world were upon them as they took off for our nearest neighbour in space – the moon. They landed on the part of the moon known as the Sea of Tranquility. They found it lifeless and barren; they brought back a handful of rocks and dust. Yet, Armstrong described their mission as ‘a giant leap for mankind’. It made great news at the time. Now it seems rather hazy. We’ve almost forgotten that it ever happened. People are asking what, if anything is achieved? And the men whose names were then on the lips of everybody are now seldom mentioned.

Today we celebrate the mystery of the incarnation – God becoming man, journey from heaven to earth, the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, into our world. The birth of Jesus is depicted in the Bible as follows: “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered and she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear and the angel said to them, be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people for to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying – Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased”(Lk 2:4-14).  He was born of a humble maid, at a time when communications was slow, and in a small country that was no sea of tranquility but the scene of constant strife. Only a handful of people knew about his coming.

Yet, we still talk about it and celebrate it. The Incarnation is the greatest moment in the history of the world. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made, in him was life, and the life was the light of men, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… He came to his own home, and his own received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (Jn1:1-5, 11-12, 14). As a result of it, things have never been the same. The importance of the Incarnation has been recognized by artists, poets, and writers down the ages.

In the Incarnation we recognize God’s love for us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Though Christ came among us weak and empty-handed, he brought us priceless and everlasting gifts. He came to teach us that we are not specks of dust, but sons and daughters of the heavenly Father, destined for eternal glory. Though he was rich, he made himself poor so that we all may become rich in God’s sight.

There was a teacher who was very fond of giving instructions, directions, criticisms, and corrections. Just after he got married he taught his wife how to wash dishes, because he didn’t think she did it the right way. And his way of teaching her was to have her re-wash every dish and she had already washed under his supervision. Instead of giving her an example by doing it himself, he gave her advice and instructions. This is not how Jesus did it. “Christ Jesus, who, though was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a Cross” (Phil.2:6-8).

As Son of God, Jesus shares the same divine nature as the Father and the Holy Spirit. But, in the Incarnation he took on himself our nature which is weak, fragile and subject to sin and death. In it he overcame sin, evil, and death. Because the battle was fought and won in our nature, we are able to profit from it. And he doesn’t demand anything of us that he hasn’t done himself. There you have the Incarnation. That’s the pattern of redemption. God entered our world on our terms. He wanted to feel the grief of our humanity and to show us the greatness of it. Now we have a God who understands us when we speak to him about our pain. But he is a God who will not allow us to wallow in it. He will not be satisfied until he demanded the best of us.

The Son of God came to earth to share in our humanity so that we might share in his divinity. ‘They wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.’ From these lovely origins Jesus grew up to show us the greatness of our humanity. The joy of this day fills our hearts and the whole world. Christ leads us on a far more daring journey than that of the moon-men – the journey to the kingdom of eternal life.

The longest journey is the journey inwards. God wants to be born in us, in our hearts. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Lk. 3:4-6).  To have Jesus born in our hearts we need to prepare the way of the Lord by leveling the mountain of pride and selfishness and by filling the valley of self pity with confidence and trust in the Lord and his words. We need to make our heart pure from within and fill it with love and then only Jesus can be born in our hearts. The longest journey is the journey inwards. Merry Christmas. May Jesus fill your heart with his love, joy and peace each day of 2010.

Christmas - Behold the Dwelling of God is with Men

                                                                             Dr. Fr. Davis George

A man was walking over an old, half broken bridge to go across a river. When he looked down, he felt frightened to see the flooded river down below. When he looked around he saw no one around the place and felt very lonely. When he looked ahead he saw that the make shift bridge was very long and felt scared within. He cried out of fear, “O God come and hold my hand and walk with me and help me to go across.” Suddenly he saw God standing across the bridge. He begged God to come and walk with him. But God did not move and stood at the same place. He felt let down by God and grumbled and criticized God for his indifference. When he reached the end of the bridge he saw God holding the broken bridge in his hands. God is always present in all our difficulties and challenges. He may not be doing what we want him to do because he knows what is better for us. He is all the time holding the broken bridge so that we can walk across safely.

700 years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” (Which means, God with us) (Mt 1:23) It is awesome to read and understand the mystery of incarnation, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father.” (Jn 1:14) “The Lord is here,” said the Holy Father Benedict XVI “ from this moment, God is truly’ God with us.’ No longer is he the distant God who can in some way be perceived from afar, in creation and in our own consciousness. He has entered the world. He is close to us.’ Jesus reminded his disciples, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:20) Before Jesus ascended into heaven he again reminded the disciples, “I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:20) Centuries before the birth of Christ, it was told, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. “(Joshua 1:5) This is the mystery and wonder of Christmas, God becoming like us and dwelling amidst us just like any of us. “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men….he will wipe away every tear from their eyes….” (Rev 21:3)

How do we find this God? Certainly God is not on sale, we need to seek him with our heart and soul. “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:13) He does not force his entry into our hearts.” Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20) Going beyond the narrow boundaries of cast, creed and nationality Jesus told in his famous Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt 5:8)

On a day like this we must pay heed to what Origen said, “Indeed, what use it would it be to you that Christ once came in the flesh if he did not enter your soul? Pope Benedict XVI said that the news of Christ’s birth “cannot leave us indifferent.” “If it is true, it changes everything. If it is true, it also affects me.” Jesus wants to be born in our hearts and transform our transform our lives and save us from fear, brokenness, loneliness, depression, failure, our short comings and sin. On this Christmas day let us give him our broken pieces and He will give us his peace. Merry Christmas. May you experience his presence and peace every day of 2011.

The Christmas miracle Emmanuel, God with us

Dr. Fr. Davis George

The first Christmas night was a night of miracles. Many things happened. Centuries of longing, expectation and prophesies regarding the birth of a Messiah – all came true that night. Probably, not the way people expected.  How could the saviour of the world be born in a manger?But from then on the world is never the same again. That is the mystery and wonder of incarnation- God becoming man that we may become like him.

The miracle of the "Incarnation," the Miracle of "Emmanuel," the miracle of "God with us?" "Cur Deus Homo?" Anselm asks, "Why would God become man?" That God would become one of us seems beyond all hope. Why would God do such a thing? Why would the Eternal Son, "...not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but empty himself, taking the form of a servant, and be born in the likeness of men...." (Philippians 2). It is through the process of kenosis, self-emptying, that God could become man.  

A great philosopher once tried to explain that mystery by telling a story even a child could grasp. It is said that once upon a time there was a man who did not believe in the miracle of "Emmanuel," "God with us." So, every Christmas Eve, while he stayed home alone, sat by the fire, smoked his pipe, and congratulated himself that he was too sophisticated to be taken in by tales about God becoming a man, he packed up his family and sent them off to Church. He was content to let them live with their harmless little delusions.

On this particular Christmas Eve, he was about to doze off when he heard a tapping coming from the window in his kitchen. Thinking it was a neighbour, he went to investigate. It was no neighbour. A bird had somehow managed to light upon the sill, and was tapping with its beak upon the glass. As the man approached the window the bird flew away, but not far. He flew only as far as the circle of light that the window cast upon the snow. When the man looked at the ground, he saw not one bird, but dozens of birds, cold and wet, huddled in the light.

"Poor creatures!" he thought, " They look miserable. They need some shelter from the cold and wet. I'll see if I can coax them onto my porch." So, taking a light with him, he went to the porch, and made a dry place for them. Making a place for them was easy. Getting them to use it was another story. First he called them, but they did not understand his speech. Then he tried to motion with his arms, but they only thought he was trying to frighten them away. Then he tried to lead them in with a trail of bread; but, in those regions, the poor eat such birds, and they did not understand his motive.

At last the man said to himself, "If only I were a bird, just for a moment; then I could fly down to them and lead them in." As he spoke, the bells of the Church began to toll midnight, announcing the birth of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, the story goes, the man knew why God, in the person of his Son, would become man. He did it so that he could lead us into the safety and warmth of the Father's house. "No man has ever seen God," writes the apostle we call John, "the Only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known."

Through the mystery of incarnation, Jesus is God with us now and forever. He said that wherever two or three are assembled in my name I will be there. He promised that he would be with us till the end of days. Often he said, “Fear not I am with you.” We are called upon to meet the God with us in our prayer, in the Bible, in the sacraments, in the poor and needy and in all the events of life. St. Francis of Assisi met him in the form of a leper. Mother Theresa met Him in the aged destitutes dying on the roadside. There is a story of a man who looked for God. He climbed up the mountaintop and prayed loud, “Oh! God, Where are you?”

He repeated the same prayer many times. Suddenly he heard a voice, “Oh man where are you?” Kneeling down he said, “God, I am on the mountain top looking for you.” God said, “I am down below in the midst of human beings.” God is not up on the mountaintop or in the depth of the sea, but here on earth, in the midst of the people. God with us. It has been rightly said that Jesus can be born a thousand times in Galilee but all in vain if he is not born in your heart.

During the Civil war in America, President Abraham Lincoln was assured by his General that he would win the war because God was with him.   Abraham Lincoln looked at the General and said, I know that God is with us but I don’t know whether America is with God. During this Christmas it is important to ensure that we are with God. Often we are with God according to our convenience and more so when we need him in life. The Bible says that if God is for us who can be against us. Daily we must be for him and with him. We are called upon to be his presence in the world. For this the Word has to become flesh and dwell among men. And we read in the gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”(Jn 1:1,14).

We are called upon to be with each other. Often we have no time to be with each other. Under the same roof we become strangers. Husband has no time for his wife and wife has no time for her husband; both are not able to spend quality time with their children. Aged parents die of utter loneliness, as children are not with them. There is a great need to be with each other. Let us give each other the gift of our own presence.

God wants this miracle to happen again and again. Let the mystery and wonder of incarnation lead you to find the Saviour of the world born in a manger. You will never be the same again. I want to conclude with one of the most beautiful songs "Love came down." The concluding words of this song are, "Love came down; …and touched the world with Christmas, and it will never be the same."

Do not miss God’s visitation at this Christmas

Dr. Fr. Davis George

In life sometimes we miss golden opportunities. We had a chance to accomplish something great, discover possibilities and unleash our potential but we lost. Sometimes we miss people visiting us because we were not at home or busy with something else. God made plans to visit the earth and save human kind from sin and death; loneliness and meaninglessness; from depression and dejection; from tension and anxiety. He announced his definite plans through the prophets’ centuries before the birth of the Saviour. And in the fullness of time the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God so loved this world that he sent his only son. (Jn 3:16).  But many missed him while he was just around the place.

1.  Jesus was at the door step of the innkeeper but he missed him.

It is very strange that God wanted to have a place for him to be born and there was no one to give him a place to be born.  Mary and Joseph came to the inn.  But unfortunately, the inn keeper was busy and had no time to attend to the couple who wanted a little room to give birth to their son.   The Bible says, “She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Lk 2:7) What an opportunity that inn keeper missed! If only he had given them a room he would have been remembered all through the centuries. He missed the visitation of God because he was busy and preoccupied with many things. Modern man is also busy with many unproductive and self centered activities because of which he has no time to welcome the Saviour.  

2.  Jesus was in Herod’s own country but he had missed him.

The second person who missed Jesus was Herod. Jesus was born during his reign as the King. The three wise men from the East came looking for the new born king of the Jews and reached Herod’s palace. Instead of rejoicing and welcoming the new born king, Herod was intimidated and overcome by jealousy; and his insecurity killed all innocent male new born of his time.  Though God saved his son by sending them to Egypt, Herod lost the chance to recognize the visitation of Jesus. We too can miss the visitation of Jesus if we are jealous and envious of others; if we are not honest and humble enough to recognize him in the manger.

3.  The chief priests and the scribes knew where Jesus would be born but did not meet him.

When consulted by Herod they told that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem as foretold by prophet Micah 700 years before the birth of Christ. The three wise men travelling almost 1500 km got the exact information and location about the new born king and went ahead in their journey. Though Bethlehem was only 8 km away from Jerusalem the chief priests and the scribes missed the visitation of God because of their indifference and unwillingness to leave their comfort zone. Often we too are indifferent and don’t want to leave our belief system and comfort zone because of which we miss the visitation of God in our lives.

4.  The three wise men from distant land did not miss Jesus.

The group that did not miss the visitation of God is the three wise men from the East who were interested in finding out where the king of the Jews was born. Seeing the unusual star they set out on a long journey through unknown land and difficult terrains and reached the palace of the king Herod in Jerusalem. They were guided to Bethlehem where they saw the child; and offered him gifts and fell prostrate and worshiped him. How true of what Jeremiah said, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with your whole heart.” (Jer 29:13) Often we miss the visitation of God because we do not take interest and trouble to pursue our goal.

5.  The Shepherds never missed Jesus.  

God chose poor homeless and illiterate group of people to give the good news.  As it is written in the Bible, “And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared to them …Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:8-20 When we follow the intervention and instruction of God we encounter the visitation of God in most unexpected situations. We need to be humble and attentive to God speaking to us.

He came to his own, his own received him not; but to all who received him he gave them the power to become children of God.  (Jn 1:11) Don’t miss the visitation of God during this Christmas. He is standing and knocking at the door of your heart to be born in you; to transform your life; to save you from anxiety and fear; tension and depression; sin and sickness; lead you into life filled with love, joy and peace.    

Christmas: Transforming Presence of a Tender God in Human History

                                                      Dr. Fr. Davis George

Jesus was born away from home, on a journey that symbolized the restless and the wandering nature of the world into which He came. He was born in the insecurity of a manger as there was no place for him in the inn. Though he was the new born king of the Jews, he was not born in the comfort of a palace as he wanted to identify himself with common people. He roamed the roads and towns of ancient Palestine. He died, taking the ordeal of the cross so that out of His suffering and His victorious resurrection humankind could find redemption. “Being a disciple of Christ is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”, said Pope Benedict XVI. This is a special time to reflect on the transforming presence of a tender God who entered the human history. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, a glory as of an only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”(Jn 1:14)

Christmas is a grace filled time of renewed hope—not hope in a particular political concept, but Christmas hope; hope in Jesus Christ; hope that, despite our selfishness and self righteousness, God will bring order out of chaos. He has come to save us from despair, pessimism, fear and from the burden of sin. The angel who said, “He will save His people from their sins,” was touching the very heart of our need.

He came on that first Christmas night to “save His people from their sins.” No doctor in the world can treat sin. No psychiatrist in the world can cure sin. They can work on symptoms, they can help the sinner to live with his sin, but they cannot get rid of the disease. Only Jesus Christ can heal the disease of sin. This was the message of the first Christmas night: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” The Christmas message says that God’s grace is greater than our sin. The cross was the cure—offered, paid for and administered by a loving God in His beloved Son.

The Christmas message has not changed after 2,000 years. Christmas still reminds us that God is with us. In spite of all the pessimism and cynicism, in spite of all the headlines about murders, assassinations, riots, demonstrations and war, Jesus Christ is alive. He is alive to conquer despair, to impart hope, to forgive sins and to take away our loneliness. He is alive to reconcile us to God. The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is not the power of this world, based on might and wealth; it is the power of love. 

He rules by love not by force, who commands forgiveness not revenge, makes the last first and the first last, who becomes the victim of violence and hatred in achieving peace. This baby is a great challenge to every power and authority. Jesus needs to be born again in our hearts in our attitudes, in our relationships, in our work place. The world stands in need of liberation – liberation from fear, exploitation, corruption, political hegemony, religious fundamentalism, violence and terror, rape and murder, female infanticide, gender discrimination, domestic violence, unemployment, injustice, social exclusion and isolation. Jesus came as Saviour of the world. His way is a way of love, way of forgiveness, way of service, way of humility, way of inclusion, and way of inner transformation. He transformed water into wine. He transformed frightened disciples into courageous apostles. He transformed sinners into saints; sadness into joy; despair into hope; death into life. He has the power to transform hatred into love, diffidence into confidence, selfishness into selflessness, sickness into health. Jesus continues his work of transforming people. Here is Jesus of Nazareth who could walk the talk and pay the price on the cross. He changed the history of the world. Jesus changed the lives of millions of people irrespective of caste, creed and nationality. He has not come to change religion or culture or conquer nations or establish political affiliations. His only work was to transform the individual and give him hope of a peaceful life and life in abundance. His aim was to show humankind the way to live a life full of love, joy and peace. What else do we need? Try Jesus. Life is fragile. Handle it with prayer. Not emails but knee mails will bring peace and prosperity. Jesus is the visible face of the invisible God who cares for YOU and loves you unconditionally.  To all those who believed in him, he gave them the power to become children of God. As Pope Francis said in his Christmas message, “Christmas is you, when you decide to be born again each day and let God into your soul. The Christmas pine is you, when you resist vigorous winds and difficulties of life. The Christmas decorations are you, when your virtues are colors that adorn your life. The Christmas bell is you, when you call, gather and seek to unite. You are also a Christmas light, when you illuminate with your life the path of others with kindness, patience, joy and generosity.”  Happy Christmas.

Jesus The Light of the World - Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya

Dr. Fr. Davis George 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) Prophecy made 700 years before the birth of Jesus came true on the Christmas night.

These words were spoken long ago to people living in anxiety, fear, and despair, people feeling bereft of security, safety, and any sense of God’s presence. We hear them early on Christmas, forgetting that they were first spoken hundreds of years before the birth we celebrate. Human beings across this planet still yearn to know that a more gracious and divine reality is active and evident in our lives.

The birth of Jesus we celebrate is meant for this world mired in darkness and fear, hunger and cold, the rubble of hurricane and earthquake, in the demeaning of chronic poverty, behind prison bars. Those who search in dark and despair, in dank dungeon and deep devastation, will find divine light given for the world. Light that will not be put out, so long as any creature remains to receive it, until and beyond the end of time. The darkness will never put it out. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.( Jn 1:5)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…. He true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” (Jn 1:1-5; 9-12) Jesus said. “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12)   How true the words of ― C.S. Lewis  “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”  Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (Jn 14:6) Asatoma Sadgamaya; Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya; Mritoma Amrutham Gamaya. May Jesus who came to lead human kind to walk in the path of truth may lead you from untruth to truth; May Jesus the light of the world lead you from darkness to light;  May Jesus who came to give his life for the salvation of human kind, lead you from death to life.

Go and look – and discover the love of God poured into our world in human form. And rejoice, for light of the world is born in our midst! The prophecy was fulfilled "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." We need not grope in darkness of ignorance, hatred, pride, anger, revenge, retaliation and indifference. We need only to surrender to him and follow his teachings. His words are spirit and life. (Jn 6:63)  May Jesus, the Light of the World be your guiding light amidst the encircling gloom and enlighten each day of 2013 so that you may spread his light and sunshine to everyone you meet.  
Happy Christmas.