What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas means that Jesus was born for me, so that he could live a life here on earth as an example for me and show me the way of truth. He died on the cross for me, was buried and rose again. Jesus lives and leads me so that I get closer to him every day. I need him every second of my life and that is why I want to share his love with people. The message of Christmas is so important that it should not only be celebrated in December but shared with other people throughout the year.
Do you have any special Christmas traditions?
In India, where Christians are a minority, we don't have the same tradition of celebrating Christian festivals as in the West. Hindus celebrate Hindu festivals and Muslims Muslim festivals. But we Christians mark Christmas, New Year and Easter. At Christmas time, we put up stars, have a Christmas tree and hold Christmas events in church. This is a great opportunity to invite our non-Christian friends and introduce them to the Christmas message. For example, we usually invite widows and their children to an event where we play some games and tell them the Christmas message. We also use this holiday to reach out to the poorest people in the city and together with a Santa Claus we hand out gifts to the children. One day during Christmas, I usually invite my neighbors over for a tea party. Through our conversations, I often get the opportunity to share the Christmas message with my friends.
How will Christmas be this year?
Christmas will be different this year than usual due to the pandemic. India has been hit hard. During the first few weeks of the lockdown, everyone was struck by a great fear of corona and everyone closed their doors completely and stayed in their homes. When the lockdown ended, I opened my door to my neighbors and we developed a strong relationship. I find that they now share their personal difficulties with me and I get to guide them and pray with them. I'm grateful to be able to help, but it can also be difficult. It can be difficult that people come and knock on my door at any time, but at the same time, I believe that if we as Christians don't give them our time, they lose trust.
Overall, the COVID-19 lockdown has been challenging and both mentally and physically tiring. It's hard not being able to offer my children schooling and not being able to take them to church due to the lockdown.
Regardless of the difficulties I may experience as a Christian, I believe that we as Christians must walk on God's commandment to love our neighbor and share the Christmas message with the world in our everyday lives.
