Mumbai: Ryan Int’l Group of Institutions chairman’s message - True Meaning of Christmas

- Media Release

Mumbai, 15 Dec 2016: ‘Christmas,’ the joyous time of the year is here again, when children think about giving and receiving gifts as a part of Christmas celebration. However, today, with the growing materialism and in a mad surge for shopping and buying, the true significance of Christmas has been sidelined and overshadowed. Christmas Season has become a major economic stimulus across the world. The ‘peripherals’ of the season is not the reason for the celebration of Christmas. We need to rise above the peripherals and realize the true meaning of Christmas.

 

What is Christmas all about? It is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in the Bible. Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. Jesus is the Son of God, who became man to take away the sin of humanity. He came to destroy the works of satan and reconcile us with God the Father in heaven so that we may have eternal life and become children of God. Jesus came to die for the salvation of the entire humankind. Christmas, therefore, is God sending His Son, Jesus, into the world.  Jesus is God’s greatest gift to the world. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means ‘in the flesh.’ In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh. Jesus Christ, the ‘Emmanuel’ which means ‘God is with us’. He is called Christ, Holy One, Redeemer, Immanuel, Son of God, Teacher, Messiah, Almighty, and Savior of the World.

 

Jesus lived a life in the essence of love; a life of unconditional love.  His teachings call for a complete change of heart, a life free from sin. Christmas is the time of healing and renewed strength. It is the time of sharing God’s love with our friends, neighbours, the poor and needy. While we remember Christ’s undying love for each of us at this Christmas, we need to make every effort to share His love with our dear ones, and with those who are afflicted, sick, and lonely and rejected by society thus bringing Christ’s joy in their lives. Jesus Christ is the message of love, joy, peace and everlasting life which is relevant even today because whoever believes in Him and shares His love through various works of mercy, will be transformed and have eternal life with Him in heaven. In the turbulent world around us, Christ, the Prince of Peace is the Ray of Hope who promises us peace, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’

 

Each one of us is precious to the Heavenly Father and to His Beloved Son Jesus Christ who loves us unconditionally. On this Christmas Day, may Lord Jesus bless you with all the success and happiness in life?  May you have a wonderful Christ-centered Christmas with your family and friends and a Prosperous New Year 2017.

 

Dr A F Pinto

Chairman

Ryan International Group of Institutions