Dr. (Fr.) Mukti Clarence, S.J.
Christmas is a universal message of hope, love, and closeness that speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart. At its core lies a simple yet profound truth: God does not seek perfection from humanity but desires a compassionate heart. The divine does not look for grand buildings or ideal conditions, but chooses to dwell where there is simplicity, sensitivity, and openness to others.
The Christmas story expresses this truth with striking clarity. Mary and Joseph found no place to stay, and a child was born in conditions marked by poverty and vulnerability. This is not just a historical detail but a powerful symbol. When there was no room in the inn, life still found a way, and love still entered the world. God does not wait for ideal circumstances. God enters human life as it is, shaped by uncertainty, fragility, and hope.
A significant part of the Christmas narrative is that the first to receive the good news were not kings or elites, but ordinary shepherds living on the margins of society. This reveals the inclusive nature of God’s love. It reaches everyone, especially the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. Compassion naturally moves toward those who are excluded and restores their dignity.
The message of Christmas challenges dominant ideas of power, success, and privilege. It reminds us that human worth is not measured by wealth, status, or achievement. God chooses simplicity over display, humility over dominance, and relationship over control. This vision invites us to build a society where people are valued not for what they possess, but for who they are. An inclusive society begins when the weakest are not pushed aside, but welcomed and protected.
Peace is closely associated with Christmas, yet it is more than the absence of conflict. True peace is a harmony of the heart, where fear gives way to trust, selfishness to concern for others, and indifference to empathy. Such peace cannot be enforced by power or authority. It grows through relationships marked by justice, respect, and care. The true celebration of Christmas, therefore, lies not only in festivities or gifts, but in how we live.
We become bearers of the Christmas message when God’s love becomes visible through our actions. Choosing kindness over harshness, honesty over convenience, and compassion over indifference gives concrete expression to the spirit of Christmas. Every small act matters. Listening to the unheard, standing with the vulnerable, forgiving sincerely, and helping quietly all create space for divine love to dwell.
Christmas invites people of every faith and worldview to reflect. Do we make room in our hearts and communities for those who are excluded? Are we attentive to the struggles of the poor and the silent suffering of the marginalised? Do our lives contribute to inclusion or deepen division?
In a world often marked by speed, division, and self-interest, Christmas offers a gentle but firm reminder: God seeks hearts, not halls, compassion, not walls. We are called to become bearers of this message by building a more inclusive society where no one is invisible and no one is left behind. Wherever love is practiced, dignity respected, and hope shared, the spirit of Christmas is alive. May this Christmas renew our sense of togetherness, awaken compassion within us, and inspire us to stand with the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. And may that love move us to become more human for one another.
(The author is an Assistant Professor at XLRI, Jamshedpur)
