By Dipak Kurm
Christmas stands as one of humanity’s most celebrated occasions, yet in our contemporary age of twinkling lights, elaborate decorations, and commercial excess, the profound spiritual significance of this sacred season often becomes obscured beneath layers of materialism and festive distraction. At its essence, Christmas commemorates an event that fundamentally altered the course of human history—the birth of Jesus Christ in the humble town of Bethlehem over two millennia ago. This singular moment, when divinity intersected with humanity in the most unassuming circumstances imaginable, continues to resonate across cultures and generations, inviting us to reflect deeply on themes of humility, love, service, and hope that remain urgently relevant in our world today.
The narrative of Christ’s nativity unfolds as a study in divine paradox. The King of Kings entered the world not in a palace adorned with gold and precious stones, but in a simple manger, surrounded by shepherds tending their flocks and animals sharing their modest shelter. This wasn’t merely an accident of circumstances or a matter of poor planning—it represented a deliberate act of divine love, a declaration that true greatness manifests not through earthly power and accumulated wealth, but through simplicity, compassion, and identification with the marginalized and vulnerable. The humble circumstances of Jesus’s birth fundamentally challenged and continues to challenge the world’s understanding of power, value, and significance. In choosing to be born in such lowly conditions, God revealed a truth that remains revolutionary: that the divine presence dwells most authentically among the poor, the forgotten, and those whom society deems insignificant.
This radical humility carries profound implications for how we understand and celebrate Christmas in the twenty-first century. In modern times, the season has become increasingly overshadowed by materialism and consumerism, with elaborate feasts, expensive gifts, and glittering decorations often replacing the deeper spiritual contemplation that should characterize this sacred time. While traditions certainly bring communities together and create joy, they risk becoming hollow rituals when disconnected from the central figure of Christmas—Jesus Christ himself. The glittering lights and festive songs, beautiful as they may be, should never obscure the simplicity and beauty of the original Christmas message: that God entered human history to dwell among us, to share in our joys and sorrows, and ultimately to offer salvation and reconciliation to all humanity.
To truly reclaim the heart of Christmas requires intentional reflection and a willingness to look beyond our immediate comfort zones. We must ask ourselves challenging questions: Are our celebrations drawing us closer to Christ and His teachings? Do our actions during this season reflect His love, humility, and concern for the marginalized? Or have we allowed the true spirit of Christmas to be buried beneath the weight of our own expectations, traditions, and material pursuits? The birth of Jesus in that Bethlehem stable stands as an eternal reminder that God’s light remains steadfast, even in the darkest moments of human history. It represents a beacon of hope and salvation for all humanity, calling us to transformation rather than mere celebration.
Jesus himself articulated the fundamental principles that should guide our Christmas observance and our daily lives. His life and teachings provide a comprehensive roadmap for living authentically as people of faith. The message remains deceptively simple yet radically demanding: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. This dual commandment encompasses the entirety of Christian ethics and practice. Christmas invites us to embrace the joy of giving over materialism, to extend compassion rather than judgment, to practice forgiveness instead of harboring resentment. Jesus taught that true blessedness comes not from accumulation but from generosity—”It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This principle directly confronts the consumerist mentality that has come to dominate modern Christmas celebrations.
The Incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ—represents far more than a historical event confined to the distant past. It issues a compelling call to action that reverberates across the centuries into our present moment. Christmas urges us to embody Christ’s love actively in our relationships, communities, and daily choices. When Jesus came not to be served but to serve, as He explicitly stated, He modeled a way of living that prioritizes others’ needs over personal comfort and convenience. The true spirit of Christmas finds expression in serving others, whether through volunteering, supporting the lonely and isolated, providing community meals, or advocating for justice on behalf of those whose voices go unheard in the corridors of power. By serving others, we become living vessels of Christ’s love and active participants in spreading His peace throughout a broken and hurting world.
The universal message of Christmas speaks powerfully to people across all boundaries of culture, religion, and geography. It articulates humanity’s deepest longings for love, peace, and meaning in a world often characterized by division, violence, and meaninglessness. When the angels appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, they proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” This angelic announcement was not passive but represented a divine mission statement—peace isn’t simply something we hope for but something we must actively work toward. This peace begins in our individual hearts through reconciliation with God and others, then expands outward into our families, communities, and ultimately into the broader world. Christmas calls us to become peacemakers who work tirelessly for justice, unity, and reconciliation across all the artificial barriers that divide humanity.
Jesus’s birth heralded peace on earth and goodwill to all people, yet this promise has not been fully realized in our contemporary world. Wars continue to rage, inequality persists, suffering remains widespread, and countless people live without experiencing the love and dignity that should be their birthright as bearers of God’s image. This reality doesn’t negate the Christmas message but rather amplifies its urgency. The birth signifies that God’s love extends to everyone regardless of their circumstances or social status. His humble beginning serves as a powerful reminder that the divine light shines even in the most ordinary and overlooked places and people. As we celebrate Christmas, we must allow Christ’s love to shine through our own lives—being patient and generous, living compassionately as witnesses to His redemptive teachings in every interaction and decision.
Beyond the material gifts that dominate contemporary Christmas culture lies an invitation to offer more meaningful presents—the gifts of time, talent, and genuine love to those who need them most. A kind word offered to someone struggling with loneliness, a listening ear provided to someone bearing heavy burdens, or a helping hand extended to someone facing overwhelming challenges can make a profoundly transformative difference in ways that no purchased item ever could. These acts of authentic generosity reflect the very heart of God’s gift to humanity in Jesus Christ. Christmas invites us to spread peace actively, to become peacemakers within our families and communities, allowing our actions to reflect the angelic message of peace and goodwill to all people everywhere.
It’s crucial to recognize that Christmas signifies not merely a single day to be celebrated and then forgotten, but rather represents a mission to be lived daily throughout the entire year. By honoring Christ’s birth authentically, we commit to carrying His message into our everyday lives, choices, and relationships. The joy and hope that Christmas brings shouldn’t evaporate when we pack away the decorations and return to our regular routines. Instead, these spiritual realities should strengthen our faith, inspire us to love with greater depth and authenticity, and motivate us to serve others with renewed commitment every single day. The everlasting joy of Christmas reminds us that the divine presence dwells with us permanently, not just during the holiday season. As the angels proclaimed in Luke’s Gospel, let us remember that Christ’s birth affirms that God is present even in the most ordinary and overlooked places of our world and our lives.
As we celebrate this Christmas season and prepare our hearts and homes, we must intentionally prepare our spiritual lives as well. Just as we invest time and energy decorating our physical spaces and preparing special meals, we should dedicate ourselves to inner preparation—examining our hearts, acknowledging our failings, seeking reconciliation where relationships have been damaged, and recommitting ourselves to living according to Christ’s teachings. We must resist the temptation to make Christmas merely a hymn sung in church or a greeting exchanged in passing. Instead, Christmas should become a transformative movement—a comprehensive way of life centered on Jesus Christ, who remains the ultimate reason for the season and the source of our deepest hope.
In the stirring words of the angelic proclamation, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” May this Christmas bring each of us closer to the heart of Christ and to a fuller understanding of His unending grace. May we carry the light of Christ into the new year and beyond, spreading His message of love, peace, and justice wherever we go. Let us make Christmas not merely a moment but a sustained movement—a radical reorientation of our lives around the humble baby born in Bethlehem who came to save the world. In embracing this vision, we discover the everlasting joy that transcends circumstances and the enduring light that no darkness can overcome. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate this sacred season of hope, redemption, and divine love made manifest.
(the writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
