For all people, irrespective of tribe, caste, race, colour or religion, the God of Christmas is a God Who LOVES, a God Who GIVES, and a God Who SAVES (John 3:16). This is a God for the Whole World and for All People. He is not only Almighty and Sovereign, but also a God of Peace and of Forgiveness. In His Hands alone are all answers and solutions of life.There is hope for Nagas. We have not arrived yet. We are still on our way and our best is yet to be. Why should we provoke or antagonize one another? We are only a small people inhabiting a portion of God-gifted traditional homelands. But even that is also faultily divided and scattered against our wishes and without our consent. Let us have a long view towards the final solution, meanwhile helping and enabling one another as protagonists and catalysts in the whole process. We need to move forward and rise higher together step by step, one day at a time – and not try to achieve everything in one single stroke.
A sonnet from Dag Hammarskjold, former U.N. Secretary General is very interesting and ever relevant here for us Nagas:
“For all that has been: THANKS.
To all that should be: YES.”
For myself, many things have gone wrong in the past, but not everything. There are many stories to write, many lessons to learn, and many dreams and visions to pursue. The best and highest of all is the GOSPEL STORY! Oh, that people would praise the Lord for His goodness and His wonderful works for men! (Ps. 107:8, 15 & 31). That is the “Unfailing Love of God” in Christmas. Ever new every year, reminding us all that we are not humble enough to receive as His Gift plummeted to Earth, not forgiving enough as His Way, and not peaceful enough as His Mission.
If I have an enemy, I have not forgiven enough. If I don’t like some ‘bad’ people around, I am worse. If I hate someone’s ego or high and haughty look, I am not on God’s side. Christmas is a time to be in God’s Party once again, celebrating and looking forward to the New Year in better spirit and outlook.
Dr. Dietho-o
‘South Corner’
A.G. Road, Kohima
