Thoughts for Christmas
Once again, the spirit of Christmas is at our doorstep. In the accepted custom of the occasion, all those who aspire to follow in the footsteps of Christ are invited -- even as they exalt in the joy of the season -- to reflect on some of the most basic questions that affect not only themselves, but also those around them.
Most of us -- whatever our religion -- who are familiar with the wonderful and often touching Christmas stories and carols, know that it is more than simply a time of joy and merrymaking. Christmas is a time of sharing. Even for an Ebenezer Scrooge, the spirit of charity, compassion and sharing which Christmas brings proved too profound to be disregarded as mere humbug.
Yet, one may argue, Scrooge and his contemporaries lived at a time when family ties were cherished and workers depended totally, or almost totally, on the personal goodwill of their employers. Today, with family ties being increasingly loosened by the infringement of modern social and economic needs and the welfare of workers being protected by laws, is there still any need for the kind of old-fashioned goodwill and charity with which those Christmases of former days were associated?
It is true that times have changed. We believe, however, that the spirit of Christmas is still relevant today. Indeed, one might say the increasing complexity of the problems which are our modern society brings about makes the spirit of Christmas even more relevant for us today; in its essence, if not in the exact form in which our fathers and grandfathers knew it.
Perhaps more than in the old days, nowadays courage as well as compassion may be needed to fight the evils of our modern society. Protective laws notwithstanding, many workers -- women and children included -- still often need a helping hand from their fellow citizens to get their lot improved. Economic progress has not only brought new wealth to many of our people, but also greater poverty for those who have become marginalized in the process, swept to the periphery of our increasingly affluent society.
No doubt, human abuses and cases of trampling on the dignity of others have always existed, but violations of what today we refer to as human rights -- often disguised under lofty phrases -- have acquired proportions large enough to arouse the concern of us all.
For those among us who on this day celebrate the birth of Christ, this occasion provides a good opportunity for them to reflect on what contributions they have made toward the realization of humankind's ideals that the Christian faith stands for. We wish them a very happy Christmas. May this year's Christmas mark the ushering in of a new period of peace on earth and greater well-being among all.