Why was the much-awaited Messiah born in a manger? Jesus Christ could have come in any manner as nothing was impossible for God. Why did Jesus come to this world in this manner. Even the poorest of the poor could have afforded a better birth in those times.
What message does that give us in this Christmas season? This is to make himself available to everyone -- the poor and the rich alike.
Are the poor getting Jesus? Are they getting a chance to know Him and follow Him? Church -- there are many divisions-- is largely institutionalised now. Poor are being sidelined.
Poor people can relate to him… ohhh Jesus was born in such a poor environment. He was also poor like you and me. The rich can relate to Him in another way --- here’s the king of kings. The saviour of mankind. Even three kings, who were actually gentiles, visited him soon after the birth.
That said, evangelization has taken the back seat. For Roman Catholic church and Eastern churches, church services have become institutionalised and largely mechanical. Protestant churches are in thousands, that too with thousands of interpretations. Many people who were born as Christians don't follow Jesus Christ any longer. They say they have no religion. That's the case in many European countries. The result is that magnificent church buildings are either lying closed or auctioned off as the church is unable to afford the cost of maintenance.
Jesus tells us: you should seek poor people… who are homeless and hungry… and those who are usually despised and overlooked and those who cannot repay you. However, we, the church, are not doing it. Church is unable to keep the flock in union with Christ.
In this Christmas season we can watch ourselves and if necessary, change ourselves to be more like Christ. It's time to bring everybody -- both poor and rich -- to Jesus Christ. Salvations is through Him alone. Christmas is an occasion to remember this vital fact.
Are the poor getting Jesus? Are they getting a chance to know Him and follow Him? Church -- there are many divisions-- is largely institutionalised now. Poor are being sidelined.
Poor people can relate to him… ohhh Jesus was born in such a poor environment. He was also poor like you and me. The rich can relate to Him in another way --- here’s the king of kings. The saviour of mankind. Even three kings, who were actually gentiles, visited him soon after the birth.
That said, evangelization has taken the back seat. For Roman Catholic church and Eastern churches, church services have become institutionalised and largely mechanical. Protestant churches are in thousands, that too with thousands of interpretations. Many people who were born as Christians don't follow Jesus Christ any longer. They say they have no religion. That's the case in many European countries. The result is that magnificent church buildings are either lying closed or auctioned off as the church is unable to afford the cost of maintenance.
Jesus tells us: you should seek poor people… who are homeless and hungry… and those who are usually despised and overlooked and those who cannot repay you. However, we, the church, are not doing it. Church is unable to keep the flock in union with Christ.
In this Christmas season we can watch ourselves and if necessary, change ourselves to be more like Christ. It's time to bring everybody -- both poor and rich -- to Jesus Christ. Salvations is through Him alone. Christmas is an occasion to remember this vital fact.
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