Echoes in Joy and in Ashes

Charles Dickens in his novel A Christmas Carol introduces a Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge as the protagonist. He is an old, mean-spirited and miserly man who has nothing but disdain for Christmas. However, this mean-spirited curmudgeon is transformed as he is visited by three spirits, the spirit of Christmas Past, the spirit of Christmas Present and the spirit of Christmas Yet to Come.  The first spirit, time travels Mr. Scrooge back to his own younger days which had made him to be who he is presently. The second, shows him Christmas as it will be celebrated in the present time and the sights fills his heart with a warmth and a longing for more. The final spirit comes and shows him what will happen in future as Mr. Scrooge is shown his funeral. Upon awaking Mr. Scrooge is delighted to be informed that it is Christmas day, he is still very much alive, not yet dead. As the story comes to an end, we see a new person, joy filled, full of zest and partaking to the fullest in the spir...

And the campus got decked in merry colours and glowing lights; Yes! Christmas is here. One question that is generally included in most of the services this season is "What does Christmas mean to you?" I have had my own share of narrating what Christmas means to me and how that meaning has actually changed or grown over the years as I too grew older. For those of us who are now older, we might be a tad tired of the question but for the sake of those who are still getting to understand Christmas better each year, it is a question worth asking.   Incidentally, the other day my wife and I were having a small conversation on the same and one of the word that came up was "obedience." Yes, Christmas is termed as the season of peace, of hope, of love, of goodwill and among the many other themes, I think obedience is also one to think of. So where do we see obedience in the Christmas story? Think of Mary who in obedience submitted herself to the message of God, think of Jose...

December is upon us again with its chills and there is a hint of joy around even in the cold. My own excitement for this month has changed over time. It is this time of the month that the cakes seems to be at their best. A decorated cake received is opened with much excitement. A plain cake is still an opportunity to have something to eat with tea. Of all the cakes, I remember a flavour which is now no longer received. The dear aunt who gives them is no longer around to celebrate with. I remember the rush to the card shop to choose and select cards: each picked with a person in mind. Cards anticipated,  given and received. The carols have faded away; carols where the whole lot of people went around singing and spreading joy. And there is the "cree" to be decked up. An old story in the Book tells of when one night an angel appeared to a group of common strangers. It says that the luminous glorious light of God shone around them. It is to this story that we owe all the celebrat...

The cherry trees have bloomed, winter is here and the "new" year is almost at its end (strange that though every day was a new day and will be to its end, the year suddenly feels old). This is the festive season - Christmas and everyone is joining in. For the greater part of the people here, we will once again gather by the fireplace, around dinner tables with family and friends; we will once again walk the "old town" with its new look - adorned and with the sound of music in the air and the blazing horns of the traffic, melodious noise fusion at its best. Yet all is solemn at the manger where the greater part of us will go, to revisit a story that's over two thousand years old and pay our respects (I imagine though, that the first "manger" night might not have been as solemn or dignified). What is the "manger" story all about? A touching scene of a baby with his parents and animals around? Of inquisitive shepherds who come to see what they...