Christmas Reflection

When I was in the college seminary, our class would usually go for caroling at the start of Christmas break. There was a song whose lines run like this: “Christmas is not about Santa Claus. It’s about Jesus the Savior of the world.” This is true but I have not found a Christmas without the image of Santa Claus either in Christmas trees, gift wrappers or wall decors. We even enjoy watching someone impersonating Santa just like we experienced during our Christmas party with the indigent children. We usually associate his presence with gift giving and receiving. But how relevant is Santa Claus in our celebration of Christmas? At the extreme some fundamentalists associate him with paganism. On the other extreme, perhaps he is the commercialized image of St. Nicholas whose feast the church commemorates on December 6. But either explanation is not so vital. What could be more important are the values and attitudes we associate with his image. I am comfortable at imagining Santa Claus as a very generous person or any person who is always willing to give something to those in need.

The spirit of Christmas as shared by the majority opinion is found in giving. The desire to give at Christmas is embedded in our tradition. Reflecting further on giving, a model par excellence can be found by gazing towards that person who is the central figure and whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus Christ is not only the giver but he is the gift himself. Such is the most amazing act of giving, a form of giving one’s life out of love. He says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). He has demonstrated this love on the cross. Thus, by looking at the face of Jesus in the manger, one could discover the link with Christ crucified. The Lord chose to share with our humanity by being born in that poor condition. Is it not an act raising our dignity that the Son of God is born as human to redeem humanity on the cross?

In the midst of merry-making during Christmas, I could not find any excuse to disregard what actually happened to that child born in the manger. The message of giving is best illustrated if the whole life of Jesus is considered.

As a follower of Christ, I must be moved by his love to become generous of myself. But how could I give a good reason for expecting to receive Christmas gifts when I am not the one celebrating the birthday? In our culture we practice giving presents to a birthday celebrant. Contemplating at Jesus born in a manger, I feel sad not to have anything to give as present. Unlike the three magi, I have no gift to bring. Oh Lord, what can I give you this Christmas?

If I will have to celebrate Christmas, it would be just like celebrating anyone’s birthday. Now, therefore, there is an urgent longing deep inside of me to give presents. I am drawn towards the example of the One whose birth we celebrate. But I don’t have possessions worthy as a gift. There is no more I can do than to allow myself to become the gift as the love of Jesus challenges me to be. In that sense, the offerer becomes the offering himself. I may not be able to lay down my life, although not impossible. But self-offering could mean self-dedication and faithfulness to my vocation. It could also be an act of offering oneself to the Lord through self-sacrifice and perseverance.

Therefore, celebrating Christmas is an opportune time to renew my commitment to the Lord. Jesus has set an example of self-giving. Now, it is my turn to emulate such way of giving so that an exchange of gifts may take place. As friends carry out exchanging gifts during Christmas, may I be able to exchange gifts with the Lord. The Lord has accomplished his part. Right now I am challenged to do my turn.