Christmas 2016 | The View from my Window

I wrote the following article on Sunday 20 November 2016 – titled ” Christmas 2016 – and have sent it to North Renfew Times , Deep River on Monday evening ( by e-mail) for publication . It mat take some time before they may publish it.

I write an article at Christmas time since many years and these get published in the local newspaper. Many people like my writing.

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20 November 2016

Christmas 2016

Merry Christmas !

This auspicious chanting is in the air . Christmas is just round the corner. Houses are getting decorated with sparkling lights . Many groups are preparing for singing Christmas choral songs and many are already scouring shops for gifts/presents for their loved ones . There is an atmosphere of happiness and society is getting cheerful as Christmas holidays are getting nearer.

It is a joyous occasion as the world is getting ready to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it so joyous? It is a Christian occasion but this birth is celebrated by all – no matter what faith one follows.

It has to do with the personality – the son of God who is born to bring God’s message of love and peace – with smile and then sacrifice Himself at the Roman Cross without any hint of revenge or violence on His part.

He said – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

His message of Love Thy Neighbors , Turn your other cheek, Be warm and compassionate to all, Forgive yourself and also your enemies are time- tested messages which , if followed genuinely, can bring all nearer to Godly experience.

In this season of heavenly joy , we need to understand the political changes that many of our Western societies are going through . There is racial strife bubbling within these societies . It seems that populism and demagoguery are on the march and liberalism is in retreat.

We are lucky in Canada that our country has kept up the values of tolerance and compassion . These are the values that Lord Jesus stood for and died for on the Roman Cross. We all know that the politics of identity is very much in conflict with tolerance and inclusiveness.

Lest we forget the lessons of the 2nd World War – the mass genocide of Jews , millions killed and use of nuclear weapons – all because of false pride in one’s culture and religion and ignoring others as lesser human beings . If majority remain silent and If people will not speak up for other people’s rights, there will come a day when their own rights will be trampled on mercilessly .

Quote:

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was nobody left to speak up. – Reverend Martin Niemoller, Germany, 1930’s

( http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/quotes.html )

Teachings of Lord Jesus reminds everyone to speak up against injustices against all. There would be price to pay and at times utmost sacrifice may be necessary . The true believers would lean on the spirit for Guidance in these areas.

The world is at a cross-road , multiple centers of powers are coming up and this creates intense competition for influence and hegemony. Further the world is inhabited by people with different faiths which are at times at loggerheads . Unfortunately , this is keeping the world at heightened intolerance and pain.

This Christmas we need to make effort to keep our minds open and reiterate our faith in humanity and understanding of the Creator God’s many facets of creation – of flora and fauna , animal kingdom and most important many strands of human community. We cannot despair of various conflicts in the world but work to diffuse such conflicts so our world remain peaceful and progress for the good of all our grandchildren – no matter of what colour or faith or where they are living.

Any form of prejudice will negate the teachings of Lord Jesus .

The time rolls on and we are here once more to celebrate the Christmas holidays .

Santa Claus is coming to town . Let us make the Santa Claus Parade livelier and bigger than ever this year.

Some people are a bit annoyed that the holidays have lost its adjective ” Christmas” and have taken a new adjective ” Seasonal “. This is to accommodate many Canadians who are atheists , agnostics, non-Christians amongst us. Personally, I would prefer it be called what it really is – it is a ” Christmas Holidays ” .

We all enjoy the festivities and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on this earth. He was a personification of divine attributes that lie within a human soul.

So let us all wish each other : Merry Christmas !

Pravin Shah

65 Rutherford Av.

Deep River, ON

Phone: 613-584-4469