This week’s Truth Speakers for Truth Seekers is about Christmas and understanding the true meaning of the coming of baby Jesus, “Joy to the world” etc.
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Growing up through all the different Christmas seasons will bring a variety and many different scenarios for each one here reading. Unless some twins are reading this. But even then, they are two separate beings and each one has their own experiences, thoughts and actions
Personally, I grew up not really understanding the true meaning of the coming of baby Jesus, the “Silent night, Holy night” and “Joy to the world” Christmas songs and what they really meant.
The Christmas tree and manger scene would come out every year and be carefully packed away once the season was over, which for a Catholic family was January 6 since they thought the Wise man visited on January 6.
According to scripture, though the wise man turned up only two years or more after His birth. He was a young child it says, when the wise man came.
Mat_2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh
Mat_2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
So apparently they lived in Bethlehem for 2 years after Jesus was born there, until God warned them their time was up and they had to get up and flee to Egypt until... That was God’s loving guidance. Of course a God that guides and protects would not let a young mother and baby take on that rigorous journey as a little baby but wait till they would be ready and direct the circumstances so. (He will do the same for you once you follow Him)
Christmas also meant relatives, nice meals and holidays.
What was missing in my life was Christ Himself as the true meaning of Christmas is not just “Christmas love”.
But it is a time when a lot of people feel romantic, sing lovely Christmas songs, give presents and do good things for others.
Searching for truth from a young age, I questioned that season before and after a lot. Getting into studies and being away would still bring me home for Christmas. Once into the nursing profession, I made sure I had a shift on Christmas so I could bring comfort and some flute music to lonely patients.
It became a more meaning full season once I gave meaning to it by stepping out and giving out.
The real meaning came once I discovered why this baby came into a cold hostile world, having to go through the hardships He went through and living the life He choose to live as described in History as well as my guidebook, the Holy Scriptures AKA the Bible or Word of God.
Living in our beautiful Naga culture made me ponder about the other side of “Christmas love”.
Besides families that would gather and celebrate together, villages that would have Christmas meals together, food that seem to be plentiful in many places, I noticed something that tugged on my heart.
People get sentimental at Christmas singing over the fire and wishing for a “white Christmas”, a Holy night, star gazing for that Bethlehem star and kids hoping for a full Christmas stocking. But besides that, I noticed another set of people who not many noticed. The widows and widowers, the young who had just lost their mom or dad that year, the hostellers not being allowed to go home, the ones on the street working, keeping the traffic at bay or being on duty at night, the ones in prison duty and the countless others serving because if not, the ones staying there would face serious consequences or death. Some would demand to please send them (kids) home once (mainly hostellers and those at the mercy of others) although likely a situation that would be unsafe for the one being sent home. Others become very lonely and with draw themselves, and yet others seem to stare into nowhere as there is no place to go for them, Home is too far away, and where they are, they go unnoticed.
My dear fellow Nagas, let it be our prayer that God opens our eyes this Christmas as well as beyond into 2026, to show Christmas love all year around. If that starts now, may it continue till the situation you served is served to the best and turned into a better situation.
When January arrives, may that Christmas love not have grown as cold as that winter season.
I want to thank you beautiful Nagas for going out of your way to so many. To show your love, care, share your food, time, houses and resources this Christmas.
What I have started to so appreciate of our people is that their hearts are to help others. The exception of otherwise is rare. God bless you all. Let’s go the extra mile though to also reach out to those we did not notice before, once you do, take an extra mile to serve them as well, if you have not already.
With much appreciation
And a blessed Christmas
Akhrienuo