Religious festivities change with the changing times and today, a number of festivals have managed to cut across the religious divide wherein people practicing different religious beliefs do not think twice about jumping onto the celebration band wagon. Of such festivals Diwali is one. Predominantly a Hindu festival, Diwali is today no longer confined only to the Hindu homes but has increasingly come to take the look of a secular festival without much religious connotations.
Likewise Christmas too has taken on a secular identity down the years and today Christmas is a celebration not only confined to Christian homes. The number of parties and get-togethers organized at swanky hotels in the cities and in smaller towns the parties and dinners hosted by friends where the guests could include anyone from any religious stream testify that Christmas is today not only a celebration to remember the birth of Jesus Christ but also to share some happy and warm moments with friends and family members with the religious side taking the back seat.
Without meaning to hurt the sentiments of any Christians or anyone we would like to say that such development is welcome and in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ we should also extend the love and compassion which the Bible teaches us to our fellow brethren cutting across religion and community. Love and compassion is the message that Christmas should ring out and we are sure every Christians will agree that this message can be spread to all irrespective of religious affiliations or beliefs and practices.
Even as the people of Manipur come together to celebrate Christmas let's remember the intrinsic teaching of Christ, who, as the Scripture teach us, came to this world to save mankind. It is that special time of the year when everyone, particularly the Christians come together to celebrate and be together with one's family, relatives and friends to share some happy and warm moments and most importantly to learn to forgive and forget.
It is also the season of give and take and while we dwell on this it would certainly be befitting if we really see and celebrate Christmas for what it is and not according to strictly materialistic interpretation. Yes, Christmas gifts convey our love and highlights the bond that tie two individuals, but in doing that let's also remember that we all have to live within our means. In celebrating Christmas let's also take care to see that it is not reduced to some wild late night parties. It is also the time of the year to look back at the year gone by and see what we can do in the coming new year to make up for our lapses.
Remember Jesus Christ came to this world to save mankind and the best way we can celebrate his birthday is by trying to become better human beings, and by this we do not mean poring over the Bible and attending Church every Sunday but trying to become better human beings and learn to say sorry when one is at fault.
Christmas should also be the opportune moment for all to shed jingoistic outlook and learn to live as one. This would perhaps be the best way to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ who came to this world not to save any particular community but the whole of mankind.
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