Choose Christ this Christmas

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

Spiritual awakening comes to those who are humble, meek and poor in spirit

At a time when greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevail upon the world, morality is forgotten or neglected. In the midst of these conditions, the baby Jesus will be born on December 25 and he will strive to work a transformation in the lives of people. He will give a new and a spiritual meaning to our existence.

Many people do not think of God or of a higher spiritual life. They live a life of lust, anger, pride and jealousy. If people lived a new life of spiritual awareness and devotion, the Christmas spirit would be born in their heart.

This is the real Christmas, when the Divine element begins to ex­press itself in the heart of man. From then on, light begins to shine where darkness once prevailed.

Deep significance is attached to a certain aspect of Christmas – the manner of the birth of the Lord on Christmas Day. Christ was not born in a grand palace or to wealthy, proud parents. He was born in a corner of a stable, to poor, humble parents who had nothing to boast about, except their own sinless selves and their holiness.

This confirms that spiritual awakening comes to those who are humble, meek and poor in spirit.

Christ walked on earth 2,000 years ago, yet he continues to be the most influential person who ever lived. He gave sight to the blind; he calmed fierce storms with a mere word; he fed 5,000 followers with a handful of food; he awakened the dead and, above all, he himself resurrected after being killed.

Christ showed that he was both human as well as God. He went through the whole human experience, including pain and humiliation, despair and death.

Christ was also a great teacher who preached peace and was tough on injustice – someone who understood people better than anyone else. Christ’s message was simple, yet profound. His teaching provoked either happy acceptance or violent rejection.

He transmitted the message of love, mercy and compassion to mankind. No other leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. He was the great God who came to us.

Those who this Christmas open their hearts to the baby Jesus will be totally transformed. Once trans­formed, they do not hesitate to face hardship, persecution and even death to uphold their faith. Many consecrate their lives to serving others, abandoning their own needs and desires.

From personal experience, in the past I have tried to work up what I thought was the so-called Christmas spirit, but failed miserably.

Honestly, how can people find the true spirit of Christmas in today’s materialistic and hectic lifestyles?

There were so many gifts I had to buy for family and relatives. My mind would work in overdrive trying to come up with that perfect gift. It used to wear me out.

There were those Christmas cakes to bake, Christmas cards to write, and those yearly messages to keep in touch with relatives and friends. These things certainly increased the workload.

After these chores, there would be those invitations from friends to spend an evening at their house, indulging in food and drink, with me returning the compliment the following week.

Yet it seemed it was all about ‘tis the season to be disagreeing’ rather than ‘tis the season to be jolly’, especially at home; my wife would argue that we should cook our friends a Chinese meal while I tried to convince her that they preferred sushi.

So in all that hassle, how was I going to make time for Him?

Yet, God in His unwavering love whispered to me: “Have you forgotten in this busy season to make Me more than just the reason for the season, but to make Me the reason for everything this festive season!”

Have you ever thought that God of the universe, the baby in the manger, wants to be loved by you? If not, this is a great time to think about it.

Maybe we should ask ourselves these questions: Who is the true spirit of Christmas? How can we make Christ the reason for everything and let him fill our lives throughout the coming year?

The only thing he asks of us is to believe in Him. For whoever believes in Him is guaranteed eternal life.

“This belief in Christ comes with the promise that his Spirit will come to live within us.” (John 14:16-20 and Romans 8:9)

I wish Christmas to be about Christmas. It belongs to those who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. That is why it is called Christmas.

I wish there was room in every home for the baby Jesus in a manger.

I wish people searching for the truth may realise He has already been here and can still be found.

I wish people around the world were more tolerant to practising Catholics.

I wish we really cared about making the world a better place, not a bitter place.

I wish you all a Holy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Mr Cassar is a member of the Neo Cathecumenal Movement.