During this time, the whole world celebrates Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Who is this man and what is His continued influence over a large population of our world? This is the same enigmatic question that was raised by Napoleon Bonaparte at his deathbed, exiled on an island off South America. He said “I raised an army, marched into Russia and dominated most of Europe, but I saw my empire crumble before my eyes, yet He raised no army and did not walk more than 80 kilometres from His home but continues to inspire millions to live and even die for Him, who is this man?”
Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate today is considered the Son of God and God himself become man by all Christians. He is called the word that God spoke to the world to reveal his true nature and attitude towards humanity. Therefore his birth can be considered a message sent by God to the world.
Interestingly only Jesus Christ had the opportunity of choosing his own parents. By opting to be born to a poor family instead of to a most powerful and influential one, He reveals a secret of God’s heart. For God the purity and motive of the family to which he was born into was more important than their power and affluence. The Bible says that the one intention of His mother was to be obedient to the wishes and desires of God.
This stands in stark contrast to the general attitude popularised by a heavily commercialised Christmas. Many believe it is only uncontrolled spending and wild celebrations that can adequately express our joy at the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
In fact Jesus was born to save us from sin. Sin can be defined as a lie that promises pleasure, security, happiness and a trouble free life, while it actually does the very opposite. It enslaves and makes its victims desperately unhappy.
Jesus the Son of the most powerful God exposes the lie of sin and casts a light on the path that everyone needs to follow to happiness. By consenting to be born a refugee, amongst animals in a manger, he reveals that he was born to bring God’s love and concern for the poorest of the poor. That he came to live for and die for others. In doing so he rose from the dead and continues to live forever.
Similarly he invites us to realise that we were born not just to live for ourselves and to seek our own happiness. He calls us to realise that when we too look beyond our own needs and desires towards those of others, we too join him in his mission on earth. Therefore let us reach out to those who have no voice or power in society, and to those who have no way of ever repaying us for our acts of love and kindness. When we do this we open ourselves to God’s great peace and love that would flood our hearts and minds. Who is this man then? He is truly the Prince of Peace. He invites us to His love however poor and sinful we are and invite us to care for the needs of others as our own path to peace and happiness.
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