2005 December 02

Vote for the Christmas tree

Boston set off a furor recently when it officially renamed a giant tree erected in a city park a ”˜Holiday tree”™ instead of a ”˜Christmas tree. The Nova Scotia logger who cut down the 48-foot tree for Boston was indignant. The tree was subsequently called a Christmas tree.
 
Last week, the Christmas tree at the Canadian Governor General”™s residence was called for a few hours Holiday tree but then a spokesman for the Governor-General assured all that Rideau Hall would be decorated with Christmas trees this year — not “holiday” trees.
Calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree has become a politically charged prospect in jurisdictions across this country   and also in the U.S.A.
The world has to recognize that this is the time for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth signifies the manifestation of the very best of human traits of love, tolerance, inclusiveness, forbearance, mercy and forgiveness. These traits are universally cherished human values.
The child Jesus was a gift of God at a time when the rulers, in the area, were cruel, self-centered and downright selfish. The human suffering and misery were prevalent in all its wickedness. He preached love and tolerance against all odds. His was an activism with sacrifice. If you reflect meditatively, it becomes evident that his was the first known exercise of democratic principle when against all odds Lord Jesus did stand up to tyranny, hypocrisy, and despots in a very unique non-violent way and changed the history forever.

In my eyes, the Christmas tree is a symbol of this. In the present material world, the tree is used as a backdrop for enticing spending and intense competition of who gives most gifts thus pushing business interests. The frenzied consumerism takes away from the teachings of Lord Jesus. The gifts exchanged at Christmas should not be purely material and commercial but of human brotherhood and love.
The Christmas tree exalts the value of life because the evergreen tree remains unchanged through the harshness of winter. My faith of Hinduism allows me to understand and comprehend the symbolism of the Christmas tree   (which stands for everlasting life, love, tolerance, forbearance, sharing and forgiving) and thus it should never be demoted to be called a Holiday tree.
In this unique Canadian winter election season, let us vote for Christmas tree and not relent from it. A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree, and it is as simple as that.
 Pravin Shah

         

Christmas 2004
 
This year”™s Christmas is overshadowed by much blood and mayhem overseas, mostly in Iraq, but also many other parts of the world. The human loss everywhere is incomprehensible and with no obvious end in sight.
 
The agonizing scenes seen on TV are unfortunately man-made. This was not expected in 21^st Century but human beings have not learnt from history that wars ultimately result in pain and suffering for both victorious as well as those who are vanquished.
 
In the modern world, powerful countries have colossal weapons, which can be deployed, from far distances. In reality there is no contest and thus there is no need to be gleeful in victories. Intended or not, many innocent civilians are killed. There is lots of environmental damage and destruction of industry and livelihood, which turn the masses to become desperate and thus revert to violence.
 
There are countries in the world, which are wealthy based on resources (oil, gold & other minerals). In many of these countries, the wealth is not well utilized due to democratic deficiency. These countries are controlled by aristocratic and dictatorial rulers. Common citizens are deprived of their daily freedoms (and needs) creating conditions for terrorism.    
 
It is very saddening that the land (where Lord Jesus walked and preached, two thousand years ago, his message of love and peace) is still mired in never ending killings and no one can sleep a restful night on both sides of the divide. Why is this?
 
All religions preach tolerance, magnanimity, generosity, forgiveness and sharing of wealth and comfort.  
Is the world becoming less caring?
 
It does not take a prophet to realize that the times are getting tougher. Tolerance is getting harder to come by.
 
Many believe God is on their side and they will win but the reality is different. God is not on anyone”™s side in violence as invariably both sides suffer.
 
This year”™s Christmas requires reflection and much contemplation.
 
We, as individuals, need to take control of our lives notwithstanding the global events over which we seem to have small or no influence. Small kindnesses starting with those who are around us and then to strangers will bring brightness to our lives.
 
The message of love by Jesus Christ can be replicated individual by individual until there is peace if not in the world then in our own hearts.
 
Merry Christmas & Season”™s Greetings to all
 
Pravin Shah

e-mail from Elliott, Carl
    received :   Wednesday December 24, 2003 10:59 AM     Subject:   Christmas

    Message:  

                                                                                                                   Dec.05,2002  

                                         CHRISTMAS ”“ POINTER TO PEACE
Christmas is the time to be merry and be with our family and friends. Every year we celebrate Christmas. Lots of gifts are exchanged with our near and dears ones. The shopkeepers are happy as the cash registers are jingling and profits are realized. Christmas cards are sent and those received are displayed with pride and joy.
The Christmas holidays are secularized with decorated Christmas tree, artful display of lights and Santa Clause doing his Ho! Ho! Ho! Even those of us who are not Christians by faith are also celebrating Christmas with gusto.   Christmas is celebrated around the world in many countries with or without large Christian population.  
The real reason for celebrating Christmas is the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The reason Lord Jesus”™ birthday is celebrated needs to be understood and digested intellectually and spiritually for deriving the most benefit from this celebration. It is not celebrated to give us holiday from work and go for extravagant display of our wealth and being critical of our near ones for not remembering with expensive gifts and greeting cards. In these days of commercial needs and circus-like merry making, the theme and reason for celebrating the birth of Lord Jesus Christ is lost.  
The birth of Jesus is divine and changed the paradigm of living in many countries. Lord Jesus Christ brought the message of non-violence and peace in the world where violence, human misery and slavery were perpetrated by the powerful. The human dignity and freedoms were in short supply. Lord Jesus understood the God”™s message and articulated this in a very loving and purposeful way. He was the personification and example of fearless pursuit of his mission of love and peace and for which he sacrificed his comfort and life. The teachings of Lord Jesus Christ eventually led to civil societies, democracy, freedom and respect for human beings (with no prejudice for color, race, ethnicity and cultures).  
When cruelly crucified on the cross, he begged the God for forgiving those who carried out this act, as “they do not know what they are doing”. This is the message we seem to have forgotten. In my ancestral culture (and religions of Jainism and Buddhism), the message of non-violence to all living beings is paramount and to forgive and forget the slights done to us is very important.  
In modern life this message of forgiving seems to have been forgotten and each one of us (of whatever background) is becoming competitive to the extent that violence is spreading and selfish nature is taking over without a thought to damage we are directly or indirectly causing to our peace and tranquility. Arrogance with concomitant jealousy and greed is a vice that is having a stranglehold on our spiritual growth.   We need a rejuvenation of Christ”™s message of love and respect.    
In the current conflict in Afghanistan, we note the existence of many warlords and also many angry hurt populations. The society there is violence-prone and with a consequence of lot of pain and suffering. In Israel/Palestine, there is a similar situation. In other areas of the world, much anger and stored vengeance is wreaking havoc.    
The civilization is said to have moved forward since the birth of Lord Jesus Christ but really this is not visible in many societies. We may have progressed materially but spiritually the message of Lord Jesus and others in Eastern religions (such as Jainism and Buddhism) seems to have been forgotten very conveniently. In past century, we were fortunate to have witnessed the presence of Mahatma Gandhi in India, Martin Luther King in U.S.A., Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Nelson Mandela (who is still amongst us) whose adoption of the message of love and respect (with a lot of personal sacrifice on their part) have resulted in those societies a measurable human respect and healthy interplay and happiness.  
I do want to submit that at the Christmas time, may we have strength to remember the central message of Lord Jesus Christ to forgive those who carry out despicable acts in their ignorance and let Christmas remind us the message of respect and love for every one. I would like to humbly request all to join me in a prayer that people in Afghanistan would forgive and forget their past injustices and move forward in their society for peace and progress. So is with Middle East, Northern Ireland, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Burundi, Yugoslavia and many other lands.    
Let yearly Christmas celebration become a pointer to peace and a reminder that there is more to life than fights and arrogation of power and wealth. When we meet our family and friends (during Christmas holidays) let us seek forgiveness for any misdeeds done to them by us and forgive them for any perceived or real misdeeds done by them to us. This will be a gift par excellence! Pass it on and see the magic!    
I wish you all a very uplifting Christmas.  
Pravin Shah

Note: Originally written on December 08 2001.

                                                                                                                                November 1999

At the outset, let me wish each and everyone a “ Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”.  The Christmas is essentially a Christian celebration.  However, due to commercialization and general inclusive and assimilative process all over the world  as well as due to the impact of powerful multi-national mass media and TV , the Christmas is   becoming truly a cross-cultural, cross-religious and cross-national celebration and a family holiday time.

Any holiday  which is festive and includes the family members and friends could only be for the good of the society !! The Christianity in the Christmas celebration is getting diminished and more of the worldly and materialistic gift giving has become norm for the celebration of the Christmas. The celebration with the indomitable Santa Clause distributing gifts ( in reality many kids all over the world go hungry everyday)   to the children world   over has become the central theme for the Christmas celebration. This theme is further deviated to include gifts for all members and friends of the family   (extended as much as possible). When it suits our business and commercial needs, the gift and card giving include others with whom we may have real or prospective business interest. Besides, gift exchange, the Christmas holidays are much known for partying, feasting and general care free appearance and gluttony.   Santa Clause ( also known as Father Christmas) is pushed as a real person ( yes, Victoria, there is Santa Clause!), who seems to have displaced the real Jesus Christ as the main focus in this celebration.  

This is also   the time most of us   are   bombarded with Christmas carols (of the Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer type) everywhere, with organizations seeking contributions for one cause or another and general spread of spiritual and non-spiritual guilt.  Have we camouflaged the celebration so much that we really cannot see the forest from the trees? At one time there was Jesus Christ, way back in time and at a place called Jerusalem,   whose birth   the Christmas is supposed to be celebrating.   Jesus is described at once as the son of God and the God Himself.   Then there are Protestant and Roman Catholics. Both   believe to know the true Jesus Christ.   In Londonderry (or in Derry) in North Ireland , these two Christian groups do not even know each other. For centuries, the fight, maiming and killing   between these two Christian groups in Ireland have become a norm.   Both are supposed to be loved and saved by the  Lord Jesus Christ! Where is Christianity! In the south United States, there are blacks and whites. The churches owned by the blacks in honouring the Jesus Christ are burnt regularly. Historically, imperialist conquering and enslaving of established cultures (“They brought Bible and took our land” uttered by, I think, Rev. Tutu of South Africa) is behind us but the effect of this is still everywhere. Poverty, ignorance, starvation and general malaise still remain very prevalent.  

Though I am not a Christian, I submit that it is time that the lie out of the Christmas celebration is taken out and bring the Christmas back to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Period.   This will lead to simplicity and understanding of the true meaning   of sacrifice offered by the Lord.  

The real teachings of Jesus Christ ( such as Love your neighbor like yourself) and   genuinely seeking forgiveness and making amends as well as forgiving those who may have offended you would be better pillars for the joyous celebration by one and all.   Remember   Jesus Christ on the cross praying to the Lord,   “ Forgive them , Lord for they do not know what they are doing”.

Alas, if   the churches can liberate themselves of all the edifices of accumulative instincts and comfortable surrounding, then the churches could regain their moral authority for instilling the simple teachings of the Jesus Christ and making this world a better and just world.  We may even find that all other religious faiths more or less say the same thing.  Once, again, I wish all a “Very fulfilling and enriching Christmas and a Happy New Year”.

I also would want to seek forgiveness for raising the above.  

Pravin Shah