ARTICLE:

ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

''For there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord''.

                                                                                                                    -Luke 2:11

       Unlike every other holidays, the Christmas season comes with a different sensation. The weather condition in various parts of the world sometimes add to thrills and frills. Here in this part of the world, there is a characteristic Harmattan wind that gives even a day old baby, the tingling mood of Christmas. There is a display of the red, green and golden colors on billboards, dresses and signages. With all that in view, you wont need a prophet to tell you that its Christmas. But beyond all  these, there exist a deeper and much more appreciated characteristic of Christmas - ''the attitude of giving and sharing''. Sometimes we have to set our desires in the right direction. Give our love to the unloved ones. Those who can never pay back our act of generosity.
 
      Firstly, we must understand that Christmas is not about traditions and doings. While as a culture we have convinced ourselves that in order for Christmas to be Christmas, we have to do certain things. But considering the birth of Jesus in its real sense, there was nothing traditional about it- It was a miracle!. One of the greatest things we can do for others is pointing out to them the various ways the birth of Jesus has benefitted them. The best time of Christmas is when we choose to stop all the busyness and routine duties of our daily life and focus on being grateful. Gratitude is one of the few ways we can take our eyes off ourselves and focus on Jesus, gibing the credit back to Him. When gratefulness flows through the heart, it is almost impossible for the seasonal stressors to compete with it.

     Most of us have thrived on various lies of what it means to celebrate christmas over the years. We have majored on the minor things and minored on the major things. With this determinatin in mind, this christmas will be so much than exhaustion, mediocrity and empty promises from T.V commercials. We should check the idols that rival the place of God in our hearts this sacred period. The manufactured idea of Christmas may tempt us to want many things, but Jesus rightly taking His place in our hearts will help keep Christmas in its rightful place.