For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all
who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
What is
Christmas? Is it something that only
Christians can celebrate? It is better
to ponder over this question as we celebrate Christmas this year since we live
in a pluralistic society in India. Christmas invites us to enter a world larger
and more complex than the intimate scene of a crib, a stable, an infant and a
pair of adoring parents. If, as we believe, Christmas celebrates God’s irrevocable
choice of our world as the place where salvation happens socially, then our
concern must reach beyond our personal boundaries. According to Aloy
Cartagenas, “the unredeemed economic and unrestricted consumerism have made
Christmas a commercial success but a theological disaster.” Justice as a social
concern at Christmas is not a negligible trifle; it is central to the meaning
of the season. Christmas celebrates the ultimate liberation of human beings
through the flesh in Jesus Christ and hence justice to and liberation of
oppressed people has something vital to do with our Christmas celebration.
By taking birth
in a human form Jesus identifies himself humbly and fully with humanity’s
sinful, guilt-ridden conditions. He stands with all human beings who look for a
radical change of heart and life, who carve liberation from the power of sin
and evil, who seek release from all forms oppression—religious, political,
social and economic and who seek to establish justice. Therefore, as a Christian congregation, we become
our best selves when we accept the challenge of community infected with
injustice and hatred. As the Christian community in India, having been subject
to communal violence and religious persecution, we tend to limit our attention
to the search for justice and intimacy among our own members. But Christ, the Prince of Peace, reminds us
that we must be prepared to take up the cross, standing against evil and
injustice wherever they exist. This may seem like a harsh message for the Christmas
season, but in fact it is the church’s message at all times, in all seasons.
Christmas calls us
back to its origin by remembering Jesus’ as a human child, a prophet of God’s
reign and judgment. What we celebrate during this season is the beginning of a
decisive new phase in the tempestuous history of God’s hunger for human
companions. These companions may have
been fragmented into different faith groups in a country like ours. Therefore, dialogue
with people of other faiths is important as social concerns of the season are rooted
in Jesus’ proclamation of God’s reign: justice to the poor.
Wish you all a
meaningful Christmas and a challenging New Year!
Kasta Dip
