What could be the true spirit of Christmas?

Temshinaro [dropcap]C[/dropcap]hristmas time is always the most joyous season of the year where families come together and celebrate the season together. Decorations, lights, and holidays in different parts of the world and a time to be with friends and loved ones ,mark the time. The perfect moments of Christmas seasons are just never ending in so many ways but it’s sad to say that it implies only to those who have financial stability.Nagaland being the land of Christians, Christmas is the biggest celebrations of all and everyone poor or rich buys clothes according to their capability. This season of chill winter December is a period where streets are filled with lights and houses, offices are always decorated. Christianity, the religion with the maximum number of adherents in the world celebrates Christmas every year which signifies God’s only Son who was sent to this Earth through Virgin Mary on December 25 (7–2 BC to 30–33 AD). Since then, Christmas has been the most joyous moment of the year. On this day, no doubt, all believers in God will go to churches and be a part of the celebration. The birth of Jesus Christ always remains in every Christian’s hearts but humans today have become so occupied in their own lives that we tend to forget to repay our blessings in whatever little ways. Yes, there are people who share their blessings with the poor through so many ways during the Christmas season in cash or in kind but the better half of the people spend their money in buying clothes, decorations and above all, gifts to friends and families. The gifting of Christmas presents has become much of a ritual that most of us seem to have forgotten the real meaning of the practice and context in which it originated. Christmas has become all about money and amidst it all, it is so easy to lose sight of its true meaning. There are so many people in whatever culture, in need of the simplest things of life like food, warm clothes and shelter that so many of us may take for granted. Think about all the food that goes to waste on Christmas Day and what a difference it would make to the numerous homeless people who would be glad for a decent meal and some of the cupboards full of clothes that you no longer need. Finest example can be when your know that Christmas cakes lying untouched at your house gifted by friends will get wasted, why not visit some slums and share it with kids who do not know how a cake tastes? Your goodness in any kind towards the poor will always be appreciated. We humans have become so selfish that we tend to forget how Godly works are done. In a city like Dimapur, with markets open even on Sundays, thousands and thousands of shoppers can be seen on the roads and markets with a traffic commotion that never seems to end. When everyone is busy shopping there are some lives who are trying hard to provide two meals a day for the family with no proper roof to keep them warm. Will a day ever dawn in Nagaland where on this Christmas season the roads are empty and thousands pay their visits to slums and homeless people with gifts and presents amounting to the same that we normally spend in buying clothes and decorations??..IF this day ever comes, then the true meaning of ‘Christians’ Christmas’ will be fulfilled with Nagaland so called the “Land of Christians.” The greatest gifts in God’s eyes I suppose one of the greatest gifts in God’s eyes during this season would be visiting a slum area or visit some needy people and provide meal or some warm clothes that will keep them warm throughout the winter season while remembering Jesus Christ through your small help. It will not cost more than the decorations and lights that warm our house. Not everyone can afford to fulfill both their “Wishes” and “Needs”. Visiting a needy person this Christmas can be a “Wish” come true for them while your “Need” of spending a meaningful Christmas will be fulfilled. I assure you, the joy in giving/gifting something to the one who really ‘NEEDS’ it will be more fruitful and worth wasting than giving luxurious gifts to someone who has all he/she wants and/or needs. “Charity” works are always appreciated. It is never too late. Christmas Eve is still on. All you have to do is make adjustments with your “Wants” for the day and satisfy some “Needs” for the poor as my father had always taught me that “Needs” always comes first while ‘Wants’ are always secondary. So, why wait my friends??...Let your lights be a shelter to the poor who are living in darkness and not a light to those who have brighter lights. Let the real meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ be born within you through your good deeds and your humble charity works. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL…….