WORLD NEWS

By Sumit Dhanraj

The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God’s infinite love for humankind. In order to set people free from the clutches of sin, God reveals His divine power and benevolent love by sending Jesus as love par excellence. Jesus lived a fully human life, experiencing difficulties of the world. He was human in everything except sin. He came to redeem the world and to give love. He became a baby to teach us love, proclaim love and live together in love.

Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all history. He was not created by a human father and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence. He is God, the Son – Creator of the Universe and Messiah. This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word that means “in the flesh”. In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the human form.

Why would God do such a thing? Why would he come as a baby, instead of appearing in power and majesty? Why make himself a true man and live among us, when he knew well how terribly he would be treated? It was love par excellence. It was necessary if we were to be saved from sin. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4: 9-10).

The Son of God came in human form to die as a willing sacrifice for the sins of humankind. He did this to provide eternal salvation as a gift to all who will accept it and follow Him –“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Therefore, the birth of Jesus brings the message of love into the world. Love, which is unconditional, selfless, forgiving, and above all sacrificial, makes Jesus Christ take human form and incarnate into the world to intrinsically germinate the seed of faith, love and hope.

The essential aspect to be remembered is that Christmas is not an external celebration but the internal celebration of the heart. It reaches to completion through forming a good cradle in our hearts so as to welcome Jesus in our lives, which manifests love. In totality, Christmas is a celebration of love and love alone. If we are ready to share this love of God with all, then this Christmas will become a meaningful one or else it will remain a ritual practice of celebrating Jesus’s birthday year after year.

In order to make Christmas a unique commemoration of life, let us share the message of love par excellence with all. Friendly feelings, helping nature, sharing basic goods with the poor, self-introspection, modesty in living and loving attitude with neighbours can feel the atmosphere with the breeze of love speaking with the heart.

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