‘CHRISTMAS IS A WAY OF LIFE’

THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST
IS A CALL TO CREATE A JUST SOCIETY

LUCKNOW (www.timesofindia) - The birth of Jesus is not simply an interesting fact of history. Convinced with the philosophy, chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Lucknow Donald HR DeSouza said, “ Christmas is an event that is related to life of most.” Talking to reporters on the eve of Christmas, he added that the feast of Christmas is a call that reminds us not to forget that each time when we close our eyes towards injustice for the sake of our own comforts, we contribute to accelerate the downfall of the values of Jesus Christ: justice, kindness, compassion, mercy, peace and goodness. The birth of Jesus Christ is a call to create a just society where the voiceless have a voice, initiating a transformation within us, each one of us, as individuals and as society, to stop our insensitivity to the sufferings of the poor, the innocent, the migrants, the refugees and all marginalised, especially the girl-child. This is the message of him who was born a babe on a cold wintry night in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem.
Father DeSouza said that the feast of Christmas has by now become a world feast identified with peace, joy and happiness. But he urged the people of the city not to forget those who are not so blessed. I recall how Christmas story inspired the great Rabindranath Tagore to say that very child that is born in this world tells mankind that God is not tired of the world resonating wonderfully the deepest meaning of Christmas.


It does not matter if one shares the faith of Christians or not, all feel the joy and peace of Christmas, especially the children all over the world. Santa Claus or the Christmas Papa belongs now to the folklore of almost every nation in the world. Children especially wait eagerly for his coming with gifts. Christmas season ushers in an air of great joy, happiness and peace. Many times Srila Prabhupada has explained that Jesus is Krishna’s representative, son of God, a bonafide spiritual master and a jagad-guru or a Guru of the world. By the mercy of Krsna one finds a bonafide spiritual master and by the mercy of the spiritual master, one finds Krishna.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Sometimes Sri Krishna descends Himself, and sometimes He sends His representative. The major religions of the world-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem-believe in some supreme authority or personality coming down from the kingdom of God. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Bhagavad-gita, we admit this claim to be true. So basically there is no difference of opinion. In details there may be differences due to differences in culture, climate and people, but the basic principle remains the same-that is, God or His representatives come to reclaim conditioned souls. ... If one loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus he must love Krishna too. If he says, “Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus,” then he has no knowledge. And if one says, “Why shall I love Jesus? I shall love Krishna”, then he has no knowledge either. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus. If one understands Jesus, you’ll understand Krishna too.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Raja Vidya” Chapter 6: “Knowledge of Krishna’s Appearance and Activities”
“Room conversation with Allen Ginsberg”, May 12, 1969 / Columbus - Ohio
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase