Sunday 19 December 2010

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas to all my readers. It's been a particularly harsh winter in Britain so far. Heavy snow has affected most of the country, causing travel chaos for many, many people. Roads, airports, train and other public services have all been severely affected. Normally snow hits my part of the country in January or February, but this year it has come early and with a vengeance. A few people have even died due to the effects of the weather. British people often dream of a white Christmas, but now that it has come and caused so much misery I wonder how many still feel this way!


We have put up the Christmas tree and decorations in our house, and we are eagerly counting down to the big day commemorating Christ's birth. Despite the commercialisation of Christmas in recent times, it is still a wonderful and joyous occasion. What is truly touching for me is that God chose to come into this world in the humblest of circumstances, in a lowly manger in Bethlehem, and lived among us. That shows He does not care for one's position in this world; He loves everyone.


In a dark and troubled world, Jesus offers divine light. This is what St John has to say about that:
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world...He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God...And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
Thank God for the Light. Have a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

3 comments:

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi JL,

Lovely Christmas tree and crib.The thrill and excitement is more when you have small children at home.There used to be a big commotion in my house while putting up the Christmas tree and crib.Now that my children have grown up and flown the nest there is not much noise.I do many things for Christmas like an automaton, a robot.Nevertheless, the charm and happiness is there.

The quote from St.John is very thought provoking.

I read in the news papers about the cold gripping European countries.I really shudder at the thought of snow and you are living quite happily as though it is nothing.Living is a salubrious climate like the one in Kerala some how I abhor extreme cold weather.I had a very difficult time when I was living in Madhya Pradesh.

Wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas filled with peace,joy and happiness.
Joseph

JI said...

Hi Joseph,

I wish you the same. We are used to snow here in the winter but the amount of snow we had lately was unexpected. It caused so many problems. And January, which is the coldest month, is still to come!

My little girl is so excited about Christmas. She likes getting presents. We will be spending the day with my parents who live close by. My younger brother and his family will also be joining us.

Best wishes for the new year.

JI.

Amrita said...

Greetings for Christma s an d th e new Year.


My cousin called from London an d told us how cold it was. Another cousin was visoting her from Switzerland.

My sister and family in Canada had a green Christmas tho ' the first time in 8 years.