BY H H Mohrmen
Christmas for the different Christians denominations across the world is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, it is an important event in the Christian calendar when they celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. It is the occasion which marks the event when Jesus took a human form to save humankind from sin. But Christmas is also important to non-Christians; people who hold Jesus in high esteem. For them it is an occasion to celebrate the life of the great teacher whose life and teaching is revered by all.
Although in the New Testament there is no mention of the date when Jesus was born, but the truth is that the date of his birth is irrelevant considering the significance and profoundness of his teachings which have influenced both Christians and non-Christians alike. Jesus’s life and teachings are respected even by those who do not believe him as the Lord or as Christ the Saviour. To the non- Christians, his teaching which they read in the four gospels, which has in fact been neglected by many is something which they hold dear in their hearts.
Of course the only evidence of his birth is found in the two Nativity stories we read about in the two gospels and the other gospels do not say anything about the birth, but his life and teachings outshine whatever else that one has to say in the debate about the date which was celebrated as Christmas. And again although the two Nativity stories are distinct to each other and have no historical basis, yet, that does not mean that Jesus is a myth. Of course the stories are myths which only express the later beliefs by the early Christians about the significance of Jesus, but it also tells us about the man and other more timeless truths about his teachings.
There is not much historical evidence about the life of Jesus and much of what we know about him is from the Christian literatures written by early Christians few decades after Jesus died, but the question is what made Titus Flavius Josephus and Tacitus, the Jewish and Roman historians too mention Jesus in their work. This goes on to prove that though the Jews and the Romans did not consider Jesus to be a significant part of history, but he is important enough to find mention in the annals of the history of both the Jews and the Romans recorded by the duo.
It is also a fact which cannot be denied that the roots of Christmas celebration are found in the early Christian period and the first Christmas was celebrated more than three hundred years after Jesus died, but it is also equally true that this Christian celebration has pagan roots. Throughout history Christmas has evolved with time and accommodated not only Christian and Pagan elements but it has also included other facets like the Star from the Jewish traditions, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, decorative lights and others. But the importance of Christmas is not in what is in the externalities because these are all paraphernalia. The greatness of Christmas to the non- Christians is in the messages that it conveys. It is the celebration of the birth of the saviour for the majority and for some it is the commemoration of the birth of the greatest teacher that ever lived in the world.
Christmas is also a time to celebrate the symbols of unity which is inherent in the human birth. Humans and in fact all lives on earth are connected by birth and death which are the two basic truths of life. Therefore Christmas also stands for perennial rebirth of innocence and hope in every child, because every time the child is born it also symbolise the birth of hope that the new life can bring.
For some; Christmas is about family, friends, love, giving and gratitude for what we have. It is a time to share, but for others it is the celebration of the birth of a religious leader of seminal important. His teachings using parables have influenced the thinking and lives of many. Some of his parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son are common even among people who have not heard about Jesus. One would find them refer to the parables even if they are not Christians themselves.
His message of Love and Forgiveness and to love God and love fellow human beings have a universal appeal, but personally the Sermon on the Mount is the epitome of his teachings. The sermon which is a foundation of Christian ethics is a call to his followers to aspire and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful and to try to be pure in heart, to see God. It reminds us that to be rightfully called the children of God, each and every one of us should try to be peacemakers. It encourages us to fear not of being persecuted for righteousness’ sake and reminds us of being the salt and light of the earth and to let our light shine before humans, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
The celebration of Christmas of course coincides with winter solstice which is again another pagan connection of the occasion, but this connection makes it more significance because it also celebrates the turning of the earth towards the light and the warmth of a new year. Christmas is that time of the year which calls to mind the values of peace and goodwill that should be with us all throughout the year and not during the season only.
Hence it does not matter how much we know about his birth or how Jesus was born and conceived because for those who follow him as a teacher, his life and his message is more important than any of these concerns. It matter not if it has an extraordinary and virgin birth or he was born as any other human, or how he may have been conceived and born. All these in no way diminish the importance of his life and teachings. On the contrary, if he was born in the usual manner and from a poor humble family, that gives us more reason to celebrate the greatness of a life which has a modest beginning. It tells us of a story of a man born of an ordinary birth and from a humble beginning who has been able to achieve so much in his life.
The greatness of Jesus is that he has influenced even people who do not call themselves Christians. I remember reading a piece which mentioned of an incident in Mahatma Gandhi’s life when a pastor who accompanied him, and also realised that Gandhi was reading the Bible and was well verse with the Gospels in particular, asked him what prevented him converting to Christianity? To which Gandhi replied, ‘if by being Christian means following the teaching of Jesus, I am already a Christian.’
Jesus has non-Christian followers too so he is one religious teacher who has influence beyond Christianity or even on people outside his religion. Although these people do not worship him as their saviour or the Son of God, but they see him as a Rabbi, a prophet of love and a messenger of peace whose message is universal and everlasting.
Although many Christians wish that the day is celebrated only as the day Jesus their saviour was born and nothing less and nothing more, but Jesus’ influence is not restricted to Christians alone. He has influenced the lives of many great people and Tolstoy and Gandhi are few of them. Christmas also reminds us that Jesus many people worship him in secret and that there are also those who adore his life and teachings and deep inside their hearts wish to follow in his footsteps.
Whoever we are, however we may like to call ourselves, may the reason to celebrate Christmas be in finding at its heart the message of divine love for a world that is greatly in need of love and compassion.