By Th Hauminlal Gangte
Except for that the first ever Christmas was celebrated at the manger in Bethlehem in around 6 BC. It is not known what would be the exact date and time of the birth of Christ, there still persist different school of thought among the historian and scholar regarding the exact timing of Christ birth. And how Christmas came into being was still in vague. The historical accuracy of the event and how the birth of Christ was celebrated in the initial stage may lies nowhere to ascertain. As we have today Christmas is celebrated on the 25th day of December every year world wide as the birth day of Christ.
For many of us the seasonal onset of winter with it pleasant weather itself is a soothing, it led one to escape from the scorching summer heat, for the farmers its the time where one reaped the labour which he invest over the year. For many students, it marked the end of one's academic course which give sort of relief: though short in duration. Significantly, for the Christian (specially the tribal) community in our State it signals that Christmas is within an arm reach to be celebrated with pomp and gaiety to one's heart content. Which is eagerly awaited over the years and the festival surely arouse a great sense of festivity in one's mind. The Christmas celebration may be an alien and which have nothing to do with our tradition and custom, the popularity is irresistible and hence it becomes one of the greatest festival for us in the post-Christian era. The celebration of Christmas in the context of our society begin with the embracing of Christianity. Gone are the days, when our forefather celebrated many kind of festivals which reverberated across the land with all the joy and happiness they gather and as such it become a way of life for them to celebrate different kind of festivals on different occasion in their time (in the pre-Christian era).
For good or bad, the coming of Christianity set a totally different life style and many of our traditional and customary norms were sacrifice at the alter of Christianity. It is noted that absorption of Christianity has marked a new chapter in our society. Though traditional form of festival which our forefather celebrated were still practice as a legacy to keep intact and promote our tradition and custom it invokes least keenness and enthusiasm among the posterity, who failed to experience the real taste in practical, a mere theoretical baptism could not stir the desire spirit it is supposed to be. On the other hand, the like of Christmas which has been globally accepted and modernity in form has more appeal and is easily pick up by the new-generation.
Christmas is also a time for the scatter family members to reunion and share all their happiness and sorrow, it is also a moment one dare to celebrates without one who is closed to their heart, their relation may ranges from family, friend or whatever may be. Besides, being a religions festival, the festival has so deep-rooted in our society that it has earned a typical social function. It would not be a surprise to observe the behaviour change that develop for we have sacrifice our social pattern for the religions sake. But if one goes deeper into the religious significant of such festivals it is sad to note that the true essence of Christmas is being totally sidelined and as such we do not seem to concern seriously of what we have done. If the contemporary trend of how we have celebrated the birth of Christ is taken into account it is merely reduce to a day of party, merry making. a time to showcase a new brand of garment and all sort of entertainment. Here lies the irony. If such a significant religious event could not be perceived in the right perspective, our tall claim of Christianity for about a century would be a mere mockery.
For a time has arrived for the Christian community in our State to ponder on our faith as whether our approach is of faulty assumption or the very basic foundation of our religion being a failure, and re-assess as if we have done enough justice to uphold the value of Christianity. It is very unfortunate to see that the contemporary Christian use our religion as a mere fashioned, ignoring the very ethical values of our sacred book. None would bother to concern whether our conduct was in conformity with the Biblical way or not. Also we have tended to view that the like of very challenging profession like priesthood as the best career option for the mediocre. For it is not a matter of negating one’s choice and not a question of qualification one possesses rather its lack of commitment among religious workers which is prevalent that we are arguing. Provided one has good commitment unto Lord, whoever may be irrespective of qualification and background there is no question of judging one personal choice. In present situation one would hardly find a committed leader who serve God sincerely, other than one who is always vying for foreign currency. The wonder still is religious workers who always shouted in full tone defending the faith in religious platform were taken for granted as a norm and none of us considered it worth a serious thought and thus religious teaching which we have all the while are without personal implication. With the high prevalent moral decadence, is there anyone among us who remain steadfast and not sway by such activities. Will God be justifying our self justified act. At the end, everyone would be judged according to our work, but it is very pathetic that this is all how we have inclination towards our religion and thus the value of Christianity dwindle.
With time ever rolling, we are set for yet another Christmas, the Bethlehem skyline has once shone again, shall we follow it to see the real child or celebrate it as a mere festival. The child who is to be born is seeking a place in our heart, are we in the position to accommodate a place and comfort him or led him born again at Bethlehem uncare and unwrap. You have your own conscience to do it. Wish you a Merry Christmas.
---------------------------
The Sangai Express
Except for that the first ever Christmas was celebrated at the manger in Bethlehem in around 6 BC. It is not known what would be the exact date and time of the birth of Christ, there still persist different school of thought among the historian and scholar regarding the exact timing of Christ birth. And how Christmas came into being was still in vague. The historical accuracy of the event and how the birth of Christ was celebrated in the initial stage may lies nowhere to ascertain. As we have today Christmas is celebrated on the 25th day of December every year world wide as the birth day of Christ.
For many of us the seasonal onset of winter with it pleasant weather itself is a soothing, it led one to escape from the scorching summer heat, for the farmers its the time where one reaped the labour which he invest over the year. For many students, it marked the end of one's academic course which give sort of relief: though short in duration. Significantly, for the Christian (specially the tribal) community in our State it signals that Christmas is within an arm reach to be celebrated with pomp and gaiety to one's heart content. Which is eagerly awaited over the years and the festival surely arouse a great sense of festivity in one's mind. The Christmas celebration may be an alien and which have nothing to do with our tradition and custom, the popularity is irresistible and hence it becomes one of the greatest festival for us in the post-Christian era. The celebration of Christmas in the context of our society begin with the embracing of Christianity. Gone are the days, when our forefather celebrated many kind of festivals which reverberated across the land with all the joy and happiness they gather and as such it become a way of life for them to celebrate different kind of festivals on different occasion in their time (in the pre-Christian era).
For good or bad, the coming of Christianity set a totally different life style and many of our traditional and customary norms were sacrifice at the alter of Christianity. It is noted that absorption of Christianity has marked a new chapter in our society. Though traditional form of festival which our forefather celebrated were still practice as a legacy to keep intact and promote our tradition and custom it invokes least keenness and enthusiasm among the posterity, who failed to experience the real taste in practical, a mere theoretical baptism could not stir the desire spirit it is supposed to be. On the other hand, the like of Christmas which has been globally accepted and modernity in form has more appeal and is easily pick up by the new-generation.
Christmas is also a time for the scatter family members to reunion and share all their happiness and sorrow, it is also a moment one dare to celebrates without one who is closed to their heart, their relation may ranges from family, friend or whatever may be. Besides, being a religions festival, the festival has so deep-rooted in our society that it has earned a typical social function. It would not be a surprise to observe the behaviour change that develop for we have sacrifice our social pattern for the religions sake. But if one goes deeper into the religious significant of such festivals it is sad to note that the true essence of Christmas is being totally sidelined and as such we do not seem to concern seriously of what we have done. If the contemporary trend of how we have celebrated the birth of Christ is taken into account it is merely reduce to a day of party, merry making. a time to showcase a new brand of garment and all sort of entertainment. Here lies the irony. If such a significant religious event could not be perceived in the right perspective, our tall claim of Christianity for about a century would be a mere mockery.
For a time has arrived for the Christian community in our State to ponder on our faith as whether our approach is of faulty assumption or the very basic foundation of our religion being a failure, and re-assess as if we have done enough justice to uphold the value of Christianity. It is very unfortunate to see that the contemporary Christian use our religion as a mere fashioned, ignoring the very ethical values of our sacred book. None would bother to concern whether our conduct was in conformity with the Biblical way or not. Also we have tended to view that the like of very challenging profession like priesthood as the best career option for the mediocre. For it is not a matter of negating one’s choice and not a question of qualification one possesses rather its lack of commitment among religious workers which is prevalent that we are arguing. Provided one has good commitment unto Lord, whoever may be irrespective of qualification and background there is no question of judging one personal choice. In present situation one would hardly find a committed leader who serve God sincerely, other than one who is always vying for foreign currency. The wonder still is religious workers who always shouted in full tone defending the faith in religious platform were taken for granted as a norm and none of us considered it worth a serious thought and thus religious teaching which we have all the while are without personal implication. With the high prevalent moral decadence, is there anyone among us who remain steadfast and not sway by such activities. Will God be justifying our self justified act. At the end, everyone would be judged according to our work, but it is very pathetic that this is all how we have inclination towards our religion and thus the value of Christianity dwindle.
With time ever rolling, we are set for yet another Christmas, the Bethlehem skyline has once shone again, shall we follow it to see the real child or celebrate it as a mere festival. The child who is to be born is seeking a place in our heart, are we in the position to accommodate a place and comfort him or led him born again at Bethlehem uncare and unwrap. You have your own conscience to do it. Wish you a Merry Christmas.
---------------------------
The Sangai Express
No comments:
Post a Comment