Inclusive love

Jesus' birth is meant to change us all. This reveals to us the profound love of God for humanity, a love that is inclusive, transformative and available to all. Christmas invites us to look beyond our immediate needs and concerns, and reach out to those in need with love, kindness and compassion. It is a call to reconnect with our inner humanity.

Christmas is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians. But its true significance is lost in all the fun and merriment that does not correspond with the true message of Christmas. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Jesus' birth was quietly made known to humble shepherds and to seeking wise men from the East. Jesus lived in an ordinary family and remained invisible and unseen for 30 yrs before he began his public earthly ministry.

The legacy of Christmas is one of hope and renewal. Do we associate Christmas with worldly values, such as power, love of money, show of wealth, importance of status and class or caste, glorifying of false prophets and worldly glory? Or do we see and act as messengers of a more peaceful, loving and caring world where healing, joy and love reign?


As Joan Chittister says, 'Christmas is the call to see God everywhere, especially in places we would not expect to find glory and grace. Christmas is the call to exult in life; Christmas is the obligation to see that everything leads us directly to God and to realise that there is no one, nothing on earth that is not the way of God for me.'