EMN
Dimapur, December 27
Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, bishop of Kohima, was the main celebrant for the vigil mass on December 24 night at Holy Cross Church, Dimapur, and at the day mass in the Cathedral Church, Kohima, on December 25.
The bishop, in his homily, stressed the fact that God is a God of surprises as all the events narrated in the story of incarnation were stories of surprises – announcement of the angel to Mary, pregnancy of Mary, the acceptance of Mary by Joseph, the birth of the savior in a manger in the midst of animals, the good tiding proclaimed to the shepherds, the shining star and the wise men – all are events of surprises.
He said Jesus, in his ministry, surprised many – Mary and Joseph when they found him in the temple; the Pharisees and scribes when Jesus freely mingled with all kinds of people without paying attention to their status; when he healed sick people on the Sabbath; when he was found talking alone to a Samaritan woman at the well, etc. He, therefore, said Christmas is a celebration of God’s surprises.
The bishop said Christ came into the world and lives among the people as an ordinary person, which was indeed unusual. He said it was unimaginable for the Jewish people who had set norms for the promised Messiah adding he was expected to arrive as a mighty king to free the Jewish people from the slavery of the Romans. The mistake, which the Jewish leaders and their scholars committed, was that they failed to recognize Jesus, when he came because he came in ways different from their expectations.
The bishop said the same mistake is committed today by the followers of Jesus when they look for a God, a powerful hero, who works many miracles according to their expectation. According to the bishop, the incarnation is also a daily event in which every day and every moment God comes to human beings in various ways -He comes in the form of children who are hungry, who are helpless, the sick who need care and compassion, women who are oppressed and exploited, strangers who come for help, the enemies who block our way of progress, etc.
Bishop urged the faithful to examine themselves daily on the many ways we close the door to Jesus saying the real meaning of Christmas actually is Emmanuel, God-with-us – God coming down to us; God seeking us out; God revealing Himself to us; God bringing us forgiveness, healing, comfort, moral strength, guidance; God dwelling within us. Each one of us has, deep down in our souls, an incredible hunger: a hunger for purpose and meaning; a hunger to feel and celebrate the redeeming, forgiving, sustaining love of God; a hunger to be in the presence of God.
He said Christmas is special because it reminded us concretely that God is indeed with us. He, therefore, urged the faithful to embrace Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
The midnight celebration at Holy Cross ended with placing the child Jesus in the crib with a solemn procession and prayer. Snacks and tea accompanied by fire work gave the final touch to the celebration. At the Cathedral Church, the celebration of the mass was followed by the group games, including tug of war, participated by the whole community and common meal.
Meanwhile, St. Francis Xavier’s Church Kidima, Diocese of Kohima, celebrated Christmas with Rev. Fr. Thomas Muttathil, parish priest of Kidima, as main celebrant in the church premises.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Thomas Muttathil asked the faithful people to receive Jesus Christ to usher true peace in the family and society. Fr. Muttathil urged the large gathering to glorify God in heart, thought and action. The priest explained that Jesus Christ was born to serve, love and care. The parish priest prayed to Almighty God for grace, joy and peace for His children. Confession, ratification of marriage, baptism, sprinkle of holy water to faithful people, blessing of crib and Eucharist were other highlights of the celebration.
