The Charm of Christmas in a Wounded World

                                                            "Glory to God in the highest

"Peace on earth to people of good will" (Luke 2:14)

 Every year, on Christmas, we often see the nativity scene decorated magnificently with colorful lights, statues and especially quotes from the Bible such as Emmanuel (God is with us); The Word became flesh (John 1:14) or Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will (Luke 2:14)... These quotes from the Bible announce the birth of Jesus and bring peace to humanity. These Bible verses have theological and humanistic meanings, and are messages of peace, love and hope for the whole world.

Christmas is an important holiday for millions of people around the world - especially Christians - but it is also full of interesting paradoxes. In the poor stable of Bethlehem everything is turned upside down. A virgin becomes a mother, and the mother is a virgin (the Virgin Mary). A child is God, and God is the child (the baby Jesus). In the heart of the earth is heaven, and heaven is in the middle of the world. Angels look up to a God who created them, and God himself looks up to the sky that he created. These paradoxes give us a multidimensional perspective to see the appeal of Christmas in a wounded world.

Indeed, Jesus was born poor and simple in a cave in Bethlehem, but people today spend a lot of money to build magnificent caves with countless colorful lights to compete to see which cave is the most beautiful and modern in order to bring fame to their hometown. People also take advantage of this holiday at the end of the year to shop, buy gifts, decorate and party.

Christmas is a time of love, but also of increased loneliness. As the end of the year is considered a time for family reunions and sharing love, for many people, especially those who live alone or without family, this is a time of loneliness and feelings of abandonment.

Christmas is a celebration that celebrates the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, but it tends to be materialistic. Many people, even those who call themselves Christians, focus too much on shopping, material gifts, and Black Friday sales instead of reflecting on the deeper meaning of this human holiday of a God who became a man and is living among us.

Although Christmas has a clear religious origin, in modern society it has increasingly become a commercial occasion. Images of Santa Claus, trees, and gifts have overshadowed the image of Jesus and the religious message of the holiday. In the introduction of Pope Francis’ Christmas Message 2023, the Vicar of Christ on earth shares: Christians throughout the world turn their eyes and hearts to Bethlehem; there, where pain and silence reign in these days, the announcement awaited for centuries has resounded: “To you in the city of David is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). These were the words of the angel in the sky over Bethlehem, and they are also addressed to us. We are filled with confidence and hope in knowing that God has been born for us; that the eternal Word of the Father, the One from heaven, has come to dwell among us. He became flesh, he came “to live among us” (Jn 1:14): this is the news that changes the course of history!

Christmas is a time for sharing and giving, but for many, it is a stressful time of gift shopping, party planning, and meeting societal expectations of the perfect Christmas. These paradoxes point to the contrast between the profound meaning and reality of Christmas in modern society, causing one to think about how we face and celebrate this holiday.

Christmas is a celebration of peace and hope. Christmas is an occasion to bring good news, happiness and light to others. However, the world we live in is full of political instability, violence, injustice, war, natural disasters, poverty... Therefore, Christmas is an occasion for us to rethink the mystery of God becoming human before a world that is hurting and the relationship between people is in crisis.

Indeed, our world is facing many painful problems, from war and climate change to social inequality, pandemics and the loss of many people’s spirit. These wounds are not only present on the physical level but also deep in the human soul. But even in the darkness, hope always exists.

Being a faithful and creative disciple in a wounded world is a call not only to live out our faith, but also to adapt and innovate to help heal the world. This is a challenging but meaningful task, especially in our time.

The ongoing wars and disputes between Russia and Ukraine; the endless battles in the Middle East, the civil wars in Burma, Syria…, and recently the political instability in Korea have not only caused loss of life and property but also left lasting wounds in the souls of generations.

Climate change, pollution, and ecological imbalance are putting the Earth in danger. In Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si, he harshly criticized consumerism and irresponsible development, calling for "prompt and united global action" to combat environmental degradation. The natural environment is our common home. This not only means the responsibility of each person towards this common home, but more importantly, that common home directly affects the life and health of each person. If the common home is clean and beautiful, people will benefit from it, but if that common home is dirty, polluted, or even poisoned, people's health will be directly affected.

Social inequality is growing. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing, leading to a loss of faith in fairness and opportunity. This is a widespread and complex problem that affects many aspects of human life, including economics, education, health, politics and human rights. It reflects the disparity in opportunities, assets, income and power between individuals or groups of people in the same community or society. The causes of this inequality depend on factors such as economics, gender, geography, politics, history and culture, leading to increased social discontent, armed conflicts, violence or disunity. It also creates a sense of injustice, inferiority, or psychological pressure for those affected. This inequality itself reduces faith in the government and the legal system if there are no fair measures to address the problem.

One thing that must also be said in a damaged world is that the mental crisis leading to loneliness, anxiety, and depression is becoming a global problem, especially after major upheavals such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This is not only a personal problem but also a major challenge for society, the economy, and public health.

The charm of Christmas in a wounded world lies in its ability to offer a moment of comfort and hope amid suffering. In a world often marked by conflict, loss, and uncertainty, Christmas offers a reminder of warmth, love, and the power of healing. Its symbols—family, generosity, peace, and compassion—invite us to look beyond our pain and embrace a sense of community and renewal.

For many, the Christmas holidays serve as a gentle balm, offering an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones or extend kindness to others. The simple act of giving, the beauty of shared traditions, and the shared hope for peace can remind us that, even in the darkest of times, light can be found in unexpected places.

Christmas is a special time to share love, solidarity and hope. To heal a wounded world, we can start with small but meaningful actions when people know how to show kindness, know how to help others in difficulty, by donating to charities, supporting the homeless, or giving gifts to poor children. This is also an opportunity for people to care about those around them who have long been indifferent, cold because they think they have nothing to do with their lives. If we know how to take the time to listen, share and support family, friends, or people we do not know well, Christmas will be truly meaningful.

To heal a wounded world, we can encourage solidarity by organizing or participating in volunteering, environmental clean-ups, or fundraising events. In addition, people of all religions should respect differences and encourage dialogue to create harmony in the community. Christmas is a festival of light. Therefore, every Christian family needs to decorate their living space by turning their house into a bright Christmas light that can bring joy to both you and your neighbors, organize cozy gatherings or give homemade gifts to express their sincere feelings to relatives and friends. Everyone should share meaningful Christmas wishes and hope with friends and relatives. Every action, no matter how small, can contribute to healing the wounds in this world. Just starting from sincerity, we can spread the Christmas spirit, turning it into a season of healing and solidarity.

The charm of Christmas in a wounded world is a constant challenge for the disciples of Christ. To be faithful and creative disciples is to dare to love, serve, and witness to Christ with trust, courage, and creativity. In a wounded world, it is the faithfulness and creativity of those who bear the name of Christ that will be the light that helps heal and make the world a better place.

The wounded world may still be here, but Christmas offers a pause, a brief but profound moment where the promise of something better—of a healed world—can feel within reach.

The world may still be hurting, but love, tolerance and faith in a better future are the most powerful healings. Let us do good deeds, however small, to bring light to the dark places. Merry Christmas to all.

Philippines, the last days of 2024,

Fr. Anthony Tran Xuan Sang, SVD.