Our long preparation for Christmas is over because Jesus is born for us. Almost two thousand years ago today, in the stable at Bethlehem heaven and earth have embraced and united. The Son of God came down to earth to tell us about God’s love for us. Christmas unravels the great story of God entering into human history and embracing our nature.
Almost eight hundred years before the birth of Christ, prophet Isiah writes: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone” (Isiah 9:1). The light from heaven appeared on earth so that we may all walk in this light. By his birth, we have been liberated from all kinds of darkness. In one of the Sacred Scriptures of Hinduism (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad.iii.28), the devotee prays to God:
असतो मा सद्गमय (Asatoma Sadgamaya)
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय (Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya)
म्रित्योर्मा अम्रुतम्गमय (Mrithyor Maa Amrutham Gamaya)
ॐ शांति शांति शांति (Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti)
It means: “Lord, lead me from falsehood to truth…lead me from darkness to light…lead me from death to immortality…may there be peace everywhere.” What a beautiful prayer! This prayer was also composed almost eight hundred years before the birth of Christ. The prayers of the sages from another culture have also been fulfilled literally in the coming of Christ. Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27). It means everything the whole world have been praying for centuries is fulfilled in the birth of our Lord.
Today we are all on a journey to meet Jesus in Bethlehem. The meaning of the Hebrew word “Bethlehem” is “house of bread”. Yes, Jesus is the bread of life and all those who journey to Bethlehem will be able to enter into this “house of bread”. But this house is a manger and is so small. It means that we need to bend our knees to enter this humble house. We have to throw away our pride and humble ourselves to meet Jesus in our lives. The shepherds are simple people. But at the same time, they are willing to listen to the voice of God and are ready to make the journey to see the real shepherd. The wise men from the East are wise enough to know who is the wisest. Let us become humble like the shepherds and wise like the Magi to meet Jesus in our lives also.
Let us recite this prayer silently and continue our life journey: “Lord, give me direction in my journey to Bethlehem. I want to stay with you for the rest of my life. When I sail through the sea of this rough life, let me not sink but sail gently through it… until I reach the shore where I will remain with you in joy and peace”.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil