Christmas Sparks Day 01 Let’s put the brakes on jealousy and slander this season

The most distant memories of Christmas, for me, go back at least half-a-century. Unlike today, ready-made stars were yet to appear; instead, we made our own by stripping sticks off trees and covering the frame with coloured paper. But getting one made was a craft in itself. For young ones like us, help was needed from those older, which involved a lot of begging and going behind! Since there was no electricity then, we used wick and oil lamps to illuminate the stars. On windy nights, chances for the star catching fire were high, leaving us to witness the sad aftermath the next morning.

Midnight Christmas Masses were long waited for, with us staying awake with eyes peeled. But if sleep happened to overpower us, the sadness of attending Christmas Mass in the morning was too heavy for words.

Truly, how great is the gift God has given humankind through Christmas! Yet, this realisation never struck us back then – the wondrous miracle that God became man, insignificant man like me, like us!

Let us recognise once more this profound truth and remember that Advent is the season to put the brakes on, to eliminate from our hearts pride, arrogance, jealousy and slander.

Wishing you all meaningful days of Christmas preparation!

Dr. Chackochan Njavallil