Christmas
is a festive and joyful season for many characterized by holidays, travels,
discounts, gifts, new clothing, delicious food, cocktail, BBQ, disco and you
may continue the list. How do the people in Tanjungpinang celebrate Christmas?
They usually travel abroad, exchanging gifts, do lots of shopping, going to
resort for vacation, dating, playing with trumpets, riding motorbikes around
the town, having champagne, karaoke etc. To some whom long to have a date will
be very lonely if they have not found any intimate friendship. Well, they will
prayerfully hope to find one to fill their lonely and empty heart.
How
was the first Christmas like? Luke recorded the Caesar Augustus’ census. Caesar
Augustus reigned the Roman empire from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. for 41 years. He was
the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. His real name was Gaius Octavius and was
adopted as son by Julius Caesar. Consequently he took the name “Caesar” from
Julius Caesar. His reign was marked by peace and security or also known as the
Pax Romana. During his reign, he led lavish building projects as well as 84
temples restoration. Thus, he became the pontifex
maximus (highest priest) in the state cult.
The
first Christmas was not an easy moment for Mary and Joseph. They had to suffer
psychologically and bearing social burdens. Who could easily believe a pregnant
mother who was still a virgin? The gossip that could possibly spread was really
hard to bear especially in a small town like Nazareth. Moreover, the 9 months
pregnant mom had to travel for about 80 miles to Bethlehem. It was a busy
moment for everyone. The Roman government might have to send their police
forces on a mission called “candle operation” to protect the travelers. Most
hotels and motels were fully booked. People were selling newspaper, candies, mineral
water, wine, souvenirs, tickets, vouchers, food, fast food and other travel
necessities. What a busy street!
Well,
a decision, a policy, a bureaucracy, an invention will impact the life of many
people and even a society. During the birth of Jesus, a king’s edict of
censorship was impacting almost the entire population in the empire. What is
impacting the society in this present age? Is it the consequence of
industrialization? Nuclear threat? Capitalism? Consumerism? Or the narcissistic
self? People benefit from the growth of economy and welfare and at the same
time people also suffer from economic growth. Only by producing and selling things and services capitalism in its present form work, and the more it can produce, the more it can sell and that makes the progress and prosperity. The system is like a deadlock creating a dead end that someday, humanity is going to suffer its consequence. In other words, humanity is perpetually putting a burden or a yoke on their own shoulders. Technology advancement is providing effieciency and adds lots of joy, however, at the same time it also robs humanity and brudens humanity with visible and invisible consequences.
Just
like the first Christmas, humanity is always under pressuring circumstances. Christmas
is delivering good news to humanity. What astonishes me about Christmas is its core message – the GOD incarnate. The Supreme Almighty God coming in meekness and
humility to the world. He does not give up on humanity. He does not abandon His
very disappointing creation. He comes to solve the problem to bridge the sinful
humanity with the holy God. He comes because He cares. Humanity tends to
misunderstand and misjudge Him but He suffers with humanity humbly and
silently. The way God delivers humanity from suffering is to firstly suffer
together with humanity and provides a promise that He will completely deliver
humanity from suffering when He returns. He is Faithful!
