Kingdom Revelator Australia – Issue 103
BE A GIFT TO THE NEEDY AND MAKE THEM SMILE
A few years ago, a five-year-old girl gave me a Christmas card. I was an assistant parish priest at that time. The small card had some happy emojis with her name in it. She said, “Father, your parents are in India, and you can’t join them this Christmas. So, I thought of giving my happy emojis to you.” I was touched by her thoughtfulness. St John’s Gospel chapter 3 verse 16 says,” For God so loved theworld that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” This passage of the gospel is said to be the core of the gospel message. It contains everything about the birth, life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because God came into this world as a human being, and experienced everything like us, He understands us better.
During Christmas we usually give gifts to our friends. Sometimes we forget the reality that Jesus is the real gift that God the Father has given to us. If we come to understand this reality, then all our celebration changes during this season.
But today, we are so busy in our lives that we have no time to stop, no time to think, no time to care! God is not like that. He really loves us. He cares for us. He sent His only son for us – the greatest gift from God that any man could possibly have. Sharing our joy and happiness with others is the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is inviting us to make our lives, a gift to many.
In today’s world there are many people who are lonely due to war and violence across the world. Many are suffering because of financial hardship, while many live without the basic facilities. Christmas is inviting each one of us to become a gift to all those people who are in need. We can be a gift to others in many ways. Many charitable agencies are working these days to reach to the needy for us. Why don’t we think about a different Christmas celebration this year! If you have been sending a gift or card regularly to one of your friends or relatives for many years, why don’t you save that money this year and instead send a donation to a needy person in the world. That may stop their need to collect a loaf of bread thrown from a helicopter. Yes, there are lots of people in the world today deserving our Christmas gifts. Why not be a gift to them. Let Christmas this year be a different experience for you and for the person who receives your gift.
Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2024!
Fr Shyju Naduvathaniyil (AFCM UK & Europe)